Two years ago this week, we were in Virginia getting ready for our wedding.

It had rained Monday through Thursday and I was trying not to panic about our outdoor ceremony being muddy. It ended up being one of those perfect spring weekends, though, where the rain cools everything down and then clears up and it's 70 degrees and sunny and the whole world smells like fresh-cut grass and rainfall. 

This weekend it rained again. We packed. I wrote for hours. We spent two hours loading the car and bringing things over to our new house. And then we returned to the apartment, popped a small bottle of Veuve Clicquot, poured two glasses, and got ready for dinner at Kindred, our favorite place in North Carolina. We ordered drinks and tore into the best bread you could imagine and giggled as our server brought out plate after plate: a beautiful little salad, duck fat potatoes, crispy fried oysters, beef tartare, and homemade pasta.

We left the restaurant in the rain and drove about 15 minutes down the road to where my mom was for the weekend. A quick hug on the sidewalk, and then it was back to Kindred to sit at the bar for a pisco sour and a slice of cake, which came out with a lit candle. I blew it out with Rob's hand in mine and thought about what wishes I could possibly even have at this point.

We have so many changes and transitions coming up that at times it feels like I can't keep my head above water, but we have a happy, healthy family; a sweet pup that brightens our day, exciting job opportunities presenting themselves to us regularly, and; no matter what, each other.

On Sunday we drove over to our new place and I cooked lunch and dinner in the kitchen. Rob sat at the kitchen table watching the NBA Playoff and my mom puttered around, unpacking dishes and folding linens. Ender went in and out as he pleased, frolicking through the fenced-in backyard like he couldn't even believe his luck.

May really can be magical.

Rob and I aren't much into gift-giving for holidays or anniversaries, but I couldn't let our first married anniversary pass without something from this list of traditional yearly anniversary gifts that I think is so sweet.

Year one is paper, so I did what I always do when I'm looking for something personal and unique and browsed Minted for a print that might work. I came across this letter photo print series and thought it would be absolutely perfect. The hardest part was deciding which photo to use, but trying a few and figuring out how to make it work within the letter was actually pretty fun.

I ended up getting a little emotional, thinking about all the ways that this company has been there for me as I approach milestones in my life so far--from holiday cards together with Rob to our wedding invitations to my first stationary with a new last name to artwork for our home and still now, as we recognize and celebrate our first year of marriage.

I'm still trying to figure out where in our apartment to hang our new piece. I've been flirting with the idea of doing a gallery wall in our hallway, and I think this might make the perfect addition to the collection I've got going. Until then, though, it's propped up on a side table in our living room, and I get all heart-fluttery whenever I look at it.

This post is brought to you in partnership with Minted. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Freckled Italian.

We got married a year ago.

There have been good times, bad times, laughter, tears, great food, busy Mondays, lazy weekends, and so many wonderful memories these past 365 days. We moved, we got a dog, Rob got a promotion, my self-employment continued, and we found ways to love each other a little more every single day.

Life with Rob is so good, and I look forward to a beautiful future, but today we're looking back on what was truly one of the happiest days of our lives (so far).

Details + Getting Ready // First Look // Bridal Party // Ceremony // Reception // Golden Hour Portraits

Happy anniversary, Rob--you are my health, my wealth, my happiness.