1st Anniversary

It's been one year.  Branelle and I were married on September 11th, 2010, in Brainerd Minnesota.  A lot of people ask about the date, given its historical significance.  To be honest, we wanted an early September wedding and the date was available - and I sure wasn't about to let terrorists affect my wedding in the slightest.  Another bonus is that it makes it real easy to remember my anniversary date!

We've done a lot in our short time together.  We've finished degrees, sold and purchased homes, and we've visited 20 States and at least 7 countries:

We've raised the Champion's League Trophy and walked the "pitch" at the Camp Nou.

We've toured the battlefields of Gettysburg.

We've climbed Mt. Etna in Sicily.

We've watched horse races at Churchill Downs.

We've thrown a coin in the Trevi Fountain and climbed the Spanish Steps in Rome.

We've stood atop the Acropolis in Athens.

We've lapped Lake Tahoe (and got engaged along the way).

We've taken the train up to the Monastery of Montserrat in Spain.

We've driven through the French Riviera.

We've cruised around San Francisco Bay.

We've lapped the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

We've strolled down La Rambla in Barcelona.

We've walked the "Field of Miracles" under the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

We've skied at Squaw Valley.

We've dined with new friends (and one of us lost his wedding ring) in Mykonos.

We've said "We're going to Disneyworld" - and done it.

We've seen the icons of our nation's birth in Philly.

We've brunched at the Café Du Paris.

We've cruised the Mediterranean.

We've whispered to each other in Muir Woods.

We've eaten Pizza in Sorrento.

We've stared down Mt. Saint Helens.

We've gazed at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

We've locked ourselves up on Alcatraz.

We've toured the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green.

We've stood where gladiators ruled at the Coliseum in Rome.

We've hung out at the Monte Carlo Casino.

We've walked through the streets of Pompeii beneath Mt. Vesuvius.

We've visited (and off-roaded at) the largest home in America.

We've had lunch at a café on the Piazza della Signoria in Florence.

We've strolled the ruins of Ephesus in Turkey.

…..and much more.

We've done a lot together, but that's not why I love Nel.  I do a lot with her BECAUSE I love her and genuinely enjoy spending as much time with her as I possibly can.  My favorite times with Nel aren't in the South of France or on a Greek Island.  They're on our couch on a Wednesday night with her leaning on me (using about 1/10th of our massive sofa) with George curled up in her lap watching some dumb show, or at the grocery store when she catches me trying to sneak Double-Stuffed Oreos into the basket (every time), or driving between Houston and Wichita Falls with nothing to do but talk to each other for 7 hours.

 

I read an article recently that said couples argue an average of 312 times a year (REALLY?!?).  Nel and I are about 312 arguments behind (I guess that makes us 'below average').  We're best friends and love spending time together.  We don't always agree, but we never get mad at one another.  Even when she annoys me I think it's cute, and I know she would never do anything to hurt me intentionally so why would I get mad at her?  I love her (which is the easy part), but I also LIKE her. 

One year down, and many more to go (hopefully).  I'm not sure what the future holds for us, but I'm not worried in the slightest about it.  I've got my favorite person in the world with me no matter what happens and that's about all I need.