15 Years!

15 years of looking at this photograph and wondering what in the world.......

I mean FOR. THE. LOVE.... what in the WORLD were we thinking? Did we think our wedding was a Whitesnake convention? Or a birthday party for Bret Michaels?

I don't even have the time to tell you all the things disturbing about this picture.....

But I will give you a few tidbits...

1. Eyebrows? Were they drawn on with the thickest brown Sharpie known to man?

2. Bizarrely layered lace dress. With huge gold buttons. From Sears. I look like Aunt Thelma on Easter Sunday. In 1950.

3. THE HAIR!!! The salon at Belk at Dutch Square Mall created this. I do NOT recommend them. Ever. What is it doing? Are there creatures living inside? Did they realize that years later a friend of David's would ask this question.... " Why is there a big wreath behind your sister's head?" Which solidified the term "Kim's wreath hair" forever in our family.

4. And then there is Kev's hair. You have no idea what you are missing out on by looking at him from the front. Because there is a waterfall of hair the size of Niagara Falls going down his back. And it was golden and shiny and and hypnotizing. Like a super hero. With magical hair.

BLESS OUR HEARTS!

At least we were madly in love. And truth be told... a normal wedding wouldn't have been our style. This picture defines the quirkiness, humor, and happiness that is our lives. The Excellent Adventures of Kim and Kev. I wouldn't have it any other way.

But I still need to address this picture. Just because it is necessary.

1. Crushed velvet? Yes, please! My favorite fabric (apparently) of all time. And it was important to have different colors of crushed velvet dresses. To represent the vast amount of inventory that was in stores at the mall. Kev's sister, Jenn, (not pictured) even wore a crushed velvet dress that was multi colored. No one could top it. And it may or may not have caused a 1980's hair pulling scuffle. Even though this wedding took place in 1995!!

2. Bethany, why do you have a lace table cloth tied around your neck?

3. And WOW!! My parents look so young!! We all look so young! Kev is the only one who hasn't aged a bit since this picture. He is a vampire, you know.

15 years!! Of pure happiness! I CANNOT believe how fast the time has flown. I met Kev in 1991! We have been together for 18 years!

( And WOW... there are a lot of exclamation points in that sentence!!!!)

Any one else would have been scared senseless to see me walking down the aisle towards them. Let's face it folks... I scream every time I see my wedding picture. But not Kev. He is one of the good guys. I got lucky.

So, our anniversary started off with a visit from my Mom. I was lucky enough to get the day off. And she dropped by to bring me breakfast and our anniversary gift. We ate breakfast sandwiches and acted dainty and ladylike while sitting in the Sunroom.

(One of my 2010 resolutions is to act more dainty and ladylike.)

(It takes a lot of hard work and focus)

She told me to wait until Kev got home to open our gift....

And you are probably assuming that I created a huge fancy meal... because that is what I like to do when we are celebrating.

But not for our anniversary. Our anniversary is for tradition.

Even if the tradition changes 10 years in to your marriage.

You see... we got engaged at The Olive Garden. At the time, it was the fanciest eatin' place this side of the Mississippi. And we had gone to dinner as a splurge. A splurge at The Olive Garden. That is almost too exciting for me to take.

And then Kev acted like he had found a diamond ring in the men's bathroom. And showed it to me.

And then said "Well, do you want to marry me or not?"

So, I stood there in disbelief. In the lobby of The Olive Garden. Wondering if he was proposing to me with a ring that he found on the floor of the bathroom??? Or if it was a joke?? Or if I wanted to get their "fried" sampler appetizer platter to go. So, I could have a midnight snack.

And I don't know about you. But I ALWAYS imagined myself bawling my eyes out when I got proposed to. ALWAYS. I would even tear up just thinking about it. But when the day finally came... I was just too blown away to think straight. And too happy to cry. ( And I may have had a little bit of reflux from the marinara sauce) But from the moment that I said "Yes!"... I have been on cloud nine. And I refuse to ever step off of it.

I mean... really. Kev is the best thing that has ever happened to me. And I love him more than words can say.

He is my EVERYTHING.

And wow! That was a really long story just to tell you about where our take-out meal came from. The point that I was trying to make was that for 10 years.... we got take out from Olive Garden to celebrate our anniversary.

And then on our 10 year anniversary. Kev surprised me with an upgrade to my wedding ring. And a fancier ring means a fancier place to get take out. So, we switched to BoneFish Grill.

Maybe we will renew our vows there.

My parents had also given us a gift card to Bonefish. I went and picked up our favorite meal.... Two orders of Bang Bang Shrimp. Two loaves of bread. And a piece of key lime pie to share.

Then I made some Jasmine rice at home to go along with the meal. Yum!!

And then we opened our gift.....

My Mom put a picture of our front door in the frame. Until we can get a better one taken. I plan to get more of a wider shot of the house with me and Kev sitting on the front steps.

Maybe in matching outfits.

Just don't tell Kev. Or he will run errands that day.

The first 15 years have been incredible! And I cannot wait for the next 15!

Our adventures together are always excellent....