Our 3rd Anniversary

Jesse and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary this week, on August 2nd. In some ways it seems hard to believe we have been married that long...in other ways it seems we have been together MUCH longer than that! :)

Every time we have a special occasion, I always unrealistically get my hopes up, and am inevitably disappointed. This time, I was determined to not do that to myself, or to Jesse. So we set rules. Since we have planned a "second honeymoon" in September with our trip to Mexico for a week, we agreed that we were not going to get each other gifts for the anniversary. Well, we have said that before (for Christmas or Valentine's Day), but I just can't NOT get him something. It feels wrong! This time, I was determined to stick to my guns, and I had prepared for the same from him, so I would not get my feelings hurt.

On Wednesday, he called me pretty early in the morning to tell me Happy Anniversary and just start the day off right- always a good thing. He was sweet all day long, calling much more than usual, and we excitedly spoke of our dinner plans. I had bought him two cards (I can never pick just one), and had already written them out, planning on giving them to him at dinner or something. Jesse came home from work (I was working in my office) and he had brought me a dozen hot pink roses. I have never had hot pink roses before, and they were beautiful!! He arranged them for me in a crystal vase, and I just smiled. Then I noticed there was a gift and a card sitting on the countertop. I looked at him as if to say, "I thought we said no gifts!" and now it was his turn to smile. He said, "it is kind of something for both of us- go ahead and open it."

So I opened the pretty bag, and pulled out two books: Blue Like Jazz and Rockin the Roles. See, a few months back we were having a bit of a rough patch, and I had specifically mentioned that I missed our devotionals together and I really wanted us to find something we could read together and grow together. I had heard of Blue Like Jazz before and had mentioned I was interested, and I had also told him I wanted to read something with the perspective of Christian husband/wife roles. He not only remembered, but he went and got them for US on our anniversary!! That is pretty sentimental for Jesse, and it got major plus points in my book. I was so happy, and he was beaming.

It was wierd not having anything to give him...normally I am on the other side, giving the gift and not receiving one. Maybe God wanted the tables turned for a reason. It was good to reverse the roles this once.

We went to The Cheesecake Factory in The Woodlands for dinner (we had a gift certificate) and ate more than I have eaten in the past week combined. Both of us stuffed ourselves to the brink, and were HURTING for the rest of the night. It was worth it though- no regrets!

August 2, 2006 was a GREAT 3rd anniversary- one that we both really needed.