Celebrating Four Years: A Journey Through Our 4th Wedding Anniversary
Our fourth wedding anniversary arrived, a beautiful milestone marking another year of shared adventures, growth, and abundant love. If our journey were a cinematic saga, this chapter would undoubtedly be titled with a playful nod to a familiar sequel, perhaps “Anniversary 4: The Next Chapter” (and yes, we’d embrace the playful rip-off of iconic movie titles). Following our cherished annual tradition, we’re thrilled to share an intimate rundown of how we celebrated four wonderful years of marriage last Thursday. For those curious about our past celebrations, you can revisit our third-year anniversary post here and our two and one-year anniversary posts here. This year, our special day, much like many of our most treasured memories, began with the comforting ritual of breakfast.
A Culinary Start: Honoring Traditions with a Special Breakfast
For this significant morning meal, I took great pleasure in crafting a tribute to a truly unforgettable dish from our past. I prepared a delightful Strawberry-Orange Stuffed French Toast, generously adorned with homemade Raspberry Butter. This particular breakfast was an homage to a culinary masterpiece we savored during our Alaskan honeymoon – a meal so exquisite that we actually took a photo with it, a true testament to its deliciousness! While my presentation might not have been Michelin-star worthy (though I like to think my strawberry hearts earned me a few points for effort!), I compensated with a beautiful arrangement of fresh flowers, carefully chosen to match our wedding colors. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the sweet scent of berries and citrus filled our home, setting a wonderfully romantic and nostalgic tone for the day ahead. It’s these small, personalized touches that make our anniversaries so uniquely ours, transforming simple traditions into cherished memories.
Thoughtful Tokens: Gifts and Gestures of Affection
This year, we had a mutual agreement to forego traditional gifts, channeling our resources and energy into a joint household project – our new laundry room renovation, which we considered a shared gift to ourselves. However, I confess, I playfully broke the rules when I stumbled upon an irresistible collection of bee-themed stationery from Smock Paper. Knowing Sherry’s exceptional talent for list-making and given that our original wedding invitation featured charming bee motifs, I simply couldn’t resist. My credit card digits swiftly made their appearance for a few delightful items. It’s worth noting that while Smock Paper is a valued sponsor of ours, this particular purchase was entirely my own initiative; they were completely unaware and likely discovered my little shopping spree through this very post!
Unfortunately, Smock Paper didn’t have any large sticky pads specifically with the bee theme, but I found one in a complementary color scheme that I knew Sherry would adore. Her supply of office notepads was running low, and while smaller sticky notes often lingered unused in our junk drawer, these larger pads have already proven to be incredibly useful and are getting a serious workout. We have always admired Smock Paper for their commitment to eco-conscious practices, creating beautiful wares with a minimal environmental footprint. What truly resonated with us, however, was a simple yet powerful request printed subtly on the bottom of the notepad: “use this to do good.” It’s a small detail that speaks volumes about the brand’s ethos and perfectly aligns with our own values, transforming a practical item into a source of gentle inspiration for positive action.
While I spent dollars on my surprise, Sherry countered with an even more precious currency: boundless thoughtfulness. She presented me with a heartwarming homemade card, meticulously listing thirty things she, our daughter Clara, and even our beloved dog Burger love about me. Each member of our little family contributed ten unique reasons, making it an incredibly personal and touching gesture. As I mentioned, the girl truly loves her lists, and this one was by far my favorite. It certainly outshone my simple “Love, John” scribbled in my own card. Oops! Her card wasn’t just a list; it was a testament to our shared life, filled with the small joys and profound connections that make our marriage so special. Reading through each point, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and immense love, realizing that these thoughtful expressions are the true treasures of our anniversary celebrations.
Adventures in Art and Appreciation
Beyond the delightful exchange of paper products and heartfelt words, our anniversary was truly about embracing quality time and creating new memories together. After a productive morning of work, we decided to duck out for lunch at one of our absolute favorite casual eateries: Sticks Kebob Shop. The food is always delicious, and the relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a mid-day escape. Adding to the joy, we even had a $10 off Groupon – a little bonus that always makes a meal taste even sweeter! You could call us cheap lovebirds, or perhaps “cheep” if you appreciate a good bird-related pun. It’s these unpretentious moments, sharing good food and laughter, that truly make our relationship feel vibrant and genuine, reminding us that happiness often lies in the simplest of pleasures.
From lunch, our next stop was a cultural detour to a local gem we’d heard much about but, in our five years as Richmonders, had never managed to visit: the Crossroad Art Center. It’s an expansive gallery, a vibrant showcase for a multitude of local artists, offering a diverse array of styles and mediums. Unfortunately, we couldn’t take pictures inside to share with you all, but the experience was nonetheless enriching. We were particularly captivated by the work of Morgan E. McKinney, whose pieces truly stood out. While we didn’t find anything within our current price range to take home, we left feeling inspired and hopeful that “someday” we’ll be able to invest in a piece we truly love. The visit underscored our shared appreciation for creativity and the desire to continually bring beauty and inspiration into our home, reflecting our evolving tastes and dreams.
However, we did get delightfully giddy over some charming $4 paintings-turned-notecards by Sherri Conley. We immediately envisioned them, once framed with large, generous mats, creating a serene “zen moment” in our master bathroom – a perfect little touch of tranquility. So, these treasures absolutely came home with us, adding a subtle artistic flair to our renovation plans. It’s always exciting to find small, affordable pieces that resonate deeply and spark immediate decorating ideas, especially when they contribute to a peaceful ambiance in a personal space.
How could we possibly resist acquiring something that declared “I Love You” on our anniversary? And the fact that the artist’s name was Sherri, a delightful coincidence with Sherry’s name, felt like a little bit of cosmic serendipity! Sherry and I were actually browsing in different sections of the artist’s booth, and almost simultaneously, we both uttered “this is sweet.” Reconnecting, we discovered we were both holding the exact same “I Love You” airplane card. It was a sweet, spontaneous moment that perfectly encapsulated our shared tastes and the unspoken connection we’ve cultivated over four years of marriage, affirming that even when apart, our hearts often gravitate towards the same sentiments.
Capturing Memories: Our Anniversary Photo Traditions
Following our art excursion, it was time for another beloved annual tradition: our slightly corny, yet incredibly cherished, anniversary photo. We have a sweet custom of snapping a family picture every year on July 7th, which we later frame, creating a growing visual chronicle of our journey together. This tradition is a wonderful way to mark the passage of time and celebrate our evolving family. Each year brings new dynamics, and this year, with a lively toddler in the mix, proved to be our most challenging and hilariously chaotic attempt yet. The simple concept of “look at the beeping black thing on the funny three-legged stick… and oh yeah, smile while you’re at it” seemed entirely lost on our spirited 14-month-old. Last year, when she was a mere 8-week-old, she obligingly slept through the entire photoshoot, a blessing we clearly didn’t fully appreciate at the time! Nevertheless, after much coaxing, tickling, and strategic maneuvering, we eventually managed to capture a precious shot. The result, with our heads delightfully stacked, embodies maximum cheesiness and captures a genuine moment of our family’s unique charm.
We continued to press our luck by attempting to include Burger, our furry family member, in the picture. As many pet owners know, convincing a dog to pose perfectly on command alongside a squirming toddler is a feat of heroic proportions. This particular shot, though far from perfect, represents our most successful attempt. At least the adults are looking at the camera, and Burger is somewhat in frame, adding to the authentic, slightly imperfect charm of our family portrait. These moments of playful struggle are often the ones we remember most fondly, as they truly reflect the beautiful chaos and joy of our family life.
Our photographic journey then led us to another cherished anniversary ritual: our annual photobooth picture. We’ve shared more about this particular tradition here. Our go-to spot is the New York Deli in Richmond, which boasts an authentic, fifty-year-old photobooth that actually develops classic film strips, a refreshing contrast to the digital prints offered by many modern alternatives. Sadly, on this particular day, the booth seemed to be having an “off” moment, resulting in especially smeary and blurry photos – just observe the fourth frame in particular. We, too, seemed to be experiencing a bit of an “off” moment, as Clara cried throughout our entire first strip. It was a test of patience, but even with the smudges and tears, these quirky film strips hold a special place in our hearts, capturing the raw, unfiltered reality of our day.
In fact, that wasn’t even the first strip we attempted; we didn’t bother keeping the initial one. During our very first try, the booth prematurely began snapping photos with only me inside, resulting in half the strip depicting me looking utterly perplexed and frantically calling for Sherry to hurry in with Clara. However, our third attempt finally brought forth some happy squeals from Clara, making it “good enough” for our collection. These slightly chaotic, perfectly imperfect photo strips are a true reflection of our family life – full of unexpected moments, laughter, and the occasional tear, all captured for posterity. After some quick in-the-car blog tending (what did people even do before iPhones?), it was finally time for dinner.
A Nostalgic Dinner: Back to Where It Began
For our anniversary dinner, we returned to Brio Tuscan Grille, a restaurant steeped in personal history for us. It was the very location of our rehearsal dinner back in 2007, a place filled with pre-wedding anticipation and the joy of beginning our life together. We hadn’t been back since celebrating our second anniversary there, making this visit particularly special. It also meant it was this little lady’s (Clara’s) very first trip to a place so significant in her parents’ journey. The atmosphere was just as warm and inviting as we remembered, providing the perfect backdrop for a nostalgic yet forward-looking anniversary meal. It felt wonderful to revisit a place that held so many cherished memories, now with our daughter by our side, adding a new layer of meaning to our shared history.
Is it just us, or is there something inherently hilarious about the juxtaposition of a sippy cup, a pile of Goldfish crackers, and a well-loved Dr. Seuss book resting elegantly on a carrera marble table in a fine dining establishment? Thankfully, these magic items, coupled with her very own kid-friendly pasta meal, proved to be more than enough to keep our little “Beansie” happy and thoroughly entertained. This was especially impressive after a long day packed with celebrating and adventures. It’s a testament to the adaptability of parenthood and the simple joys of watching our daughter discover the world, even in unexpected settings. Her contentment allowed us to truly savor our meal and reflect on the beautiful life we’ve built, appreciating the quieter, precious moments amidst the delightful chaos of family.
A Symbolic Fresh Start: Sherry’s Anniversary Haircut
And as if we hadn’t already packed enough anniversary “bid-ness” into our day, Sherry followed up this July 7th with another symbolic tradition, just as she did four years ago after our wedding: by dramatically chopping off a significant portion of her hair. For those with a keen memory, you can actually see her sporting short hair way back in our 2007 archives here. This annual ritual of a significant haircut on or around our anniversary has become a unique and personal way for Sherry to mark the passage of time and embrace a fresh start. It’s almost like saying “goodbye” to the honorary fifth member of the YHL team: Sherry’s ponytail.
While it’s a fond farewell to the long locks, I must admit I think my lady looks absolutely stunning and incredibly sexy with her new, shorter style. She was a bit shy to pose for photos directly by me, so she snuck off to capture these mirror selfies, explaining with a blush that “I made her nervous.” Aw yeah, four years later, I still got it! It’s a sweet reminder that after all this time, the spark and connection we share are as strong as ever, and I continue to be captivated by her. This fresh look feels like a perfect complement to all the new projects and adventures we’re embarking on, symbolizing a readiness for whatever the next year of marriage brings.
Oh, and Sherry specifically wanted me to add a crucial update: all is right with the world, as she can still pull her hair back into a tiny pony when we tackle our home improvement projects. How did she discover this vital piece of information so quickly, you might ask? Well, let’s just say we are actively working on the laundry room renovation right this very second, putting her new hairstyle to the ultimate test. More exciting details about that project will be coming your way tomorrow!
Looking Ahead: Dreaming of Our Hawaiian Fifth Anniversary
Despite all the wonderful fun we had this “seven-seven,” we must confess that our minds have already eagerly skipped ahead to next year’s monumental five-year anniversary. In honor of our incredible Alaskan honeymoon, we thought it would be absolutely perfect to celebrate the big 0-5 milestone by journeying to Hawaii. It feels like a fitting “non-contiguous partner in crime” to Alaska, offering a contrasting yet equally stunning natural beauty. While we haven’t extensively planned much at all, we figure that if we keep vocalizing this dream, it will create enough momentum to actually make it happen next year. It’s been far too long since we’ve flown anywhere for a true vacation since our honeymoon in 2007. It’s high time to rekindle that wanderlust and create new memories in a breathtaking tropical paradise. This dream destination represents not just a trip, but a celebration of our resilience, our growth, and the exciting future that awaits us as a family.
Conclusion: Cherishing Every Moment
Our fourth wedding anniversary was a beautiful tapestry woven with familiar traditions and delightful new experiences. From the sweet nostalgia of our breakfast homage to the chaotic joy of family photos, every moment contributed to a day filled with love and laughter. It’s in these annual celebrations that we truly appreciate the journey we’ve embarked on, the family we’ve built, and the unwavering bond that holds us together. As we close the chapter on our fourth year, our hearts are full of gratitude and anticipation for the exciting adventures that lie ahead, especially that much-dreamed-of Hawaiian getaway. Here’s to many more years of love, growth, and making every anniversary a memorable celebration.