4 years ago...

Tomorrow I am going to be celebrating my 4 year anniversary!

Walking to my husband...

At the end of the aisle.

I will never forget the feeling I had when we closed the door to our decked out ford Taurus and drove off after our wedding. We were covered in bird seed, completely exhausted, and filled with the most unbelievable joy! I swear if I could bottle that feeling...

We decided after a lot of searching that we wanted to spend our honeymoon close to home. Really close to home. Just 20 minutes up the road in Asheville. We didn't tell anyone where we were going, to avoid pranksters:-)

That 20 minutes was so precious! Being able to finally take a minute and reflect on what we had just done! We got to talk about all the good and bad things about the wedding. We held hands and over and over again called each other husband and wife. We also waved at people the whole way up hwy 26. Little did I know when I was waving and smiling, my face was surrounded by the phrase, "I'm getting some loving tonight!"

When we pulled up the Grove Park Inn (an old very well known Inn in Asheville), we got out at the front and gave our car to the valet. I had imagined the following scenario countless times in my head. I entered into the ballroom with my dashingly handsome husband. We were still in our wedding clothes and right when we walked in (during cocktail time) everyone clapped for us. I love attention so I was just eating it up:-) Then we registered as Mr and Mrs George at the front desk. I'm sure I was the most goggley eyed bride the concierge had ever seen. I was practically hyperventilating and was clinging to Noah like...well like a new bride:-)

Noah got pretty much the deal of the century and we were staying on the club floor. So they took us up in a special elevator. My heart was pounding out of my chest. They took us in the room, explained the complicated shower to us and then left us. They left us. In our room. We were alone and it was OK.

Noah and I made the decision as young teens to save ourselves for marriage. That night was the first night we had ever spent together. It was so strange going from always avoiding the appearance of evil and always having to refrain, refrain, and refrain to completely together.

I wont go into the details of the night, but I treasure them in my heart.

I will never forget the feelings I felt that night as the reality of the beginning of me life with Noah sank in. We woke up probably 10 times during the night and whispered..."can you believe it husband?" "Can you believe it wife?"

The next day, we were scheduled for a couple's massage at the spa. It was the first time that I was called Mrs George:-) Our couple's massage included champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. I remember being so worried because I was 19 and I didn't want them to bring this up in reference to the champagne. I was married and didn't want to feel like a child.

They took us in this little room and massaged us.

*Side note:

I have not since this time ever been massaged next to Noah, nor will I ever. He breaths sooo deeply and makes all kinds of sounds. The whole time I was thinking, "I can't believe these sounds!" I'm so embarrassed!"

Than they left us in a heart shaped tub filled with bubbles and rose petals (hey, it's cheesy, but when else are you going to do it?) They brought in champagne and sparkling water (for me, since they did see I was 19) and strawberries.

They explained to us that the room was ours for the next hour. They would warn us 4 times before coming in. They told us we cold use anything in the room...tables, chairs, etc! I was completely embarrassed. I couldn't believe they were leaving us in that little room to do...*gulp*.

Well even though it was romantic and I give my husband big props for setting it up, it was more funny than romantic.

The bath was not really shaped for a Noah plus wife. We were squished in together like sardines, and giggling like crazy because we got stuck and water was overflowing everywhere. Then we decided to try and "use the room", but since we'd been married less than 24 hours, this became very impossible and comical.

I was SO embarrassed when the spa person finally came in (after four warnings).

We had the loveliest of honeymoons with lots of funny stories that I'll save for another time.

Tomorrow, I'm turning over my baby to the moms and Noah and I are taking that 20 minute drive back to the Grove Park Inn Spa for the day. I'm so excited! Although we aren't getting massaged together (for my previous stated reason), we are going to spend 12 quality hours together swimming, soaking, talking, sleeping, and reliving the precious memories.

I have to say that marriage year #4 was by FAR my favorite so far. We started our 4th year off with a positive pregnancy test at 6 am telling us we were parents. It just got better and better after that. I've treasure the months that we spent preparing for Barclay and enjoying the last of our childless days. I feel like we took advantage of every single moment.

I will say that my previous favorite day (May 21, 2005 was recently replaced with a new favorite day February 4, 2009). To watch the husband that I pledged my love to years ago become a father, and watch as we became three was beyond amazing.

I'm looking forward to another year with him:-)

I love you Noah George!

Love,

your still-googley-eyed bride:-)