3 Years and Couting!

Today's post is dedicated to my one and only: Happy Anniversary, Love!

Want to know what seems to operate out of all space and time? How about marriage? Today marks three years from the day when I said "I Do" to the boy I knew was meant for me when he was placed in my life seven years earlier.

Three years seems to have flown by and so much has happened, yet at the same time I'm prettttty sure we just go married yesterday! I remember very clearly getting up early that morning and going to Joe's grandparents home where our reception would be held that evening with my dad and sister. I needed to meet with the caterer and florist to make sure everyone knew where everything should be (not controling at all, right?!) It was a perfect day in May, and I had never felt so blessed and loved -- from the strangers in Merle Norman who wished me "congratulations" while someone was doing my makeup, to my MIL's precious friends who set up decorations at the reception while we were off taking pictures, to the abundance of family and friends showing up at the church to give Joe and I their love and support. God's blessings were truly apparent that day. The sun was shining, the flowers were gorgeous, and we were surrounded by love -- all things that surely only a LOVING God could create.

TL: Flower girl, Avery TR: Church door wreaths from Fresh Cut Floral and Catering M: My then LITTLE brother cuttin' a rug BL: One of the many perfect photos from the talented Lovely Union Photographers BR: Capturing our reaction at seeing the reception space for the first time

 

It's true what they say though; after a wedding all to do with you and a honeymoon away from all the worries of the world, things get real... but man, isn't real the best part?! Yes, you have to work and fight and TRY, and most of marriage is not particularly glamorous, but through strife God is able to work and shine and now the love I have for Joe can only be exceeded by the love I have for my God. We could not love each other and care for each other the way we TRY to do if it weren't for the example Christ set and His love encompassing both of our hearts.

I love this sentiment from The Five Love Languages: "The object of love is not getting something you want but doing something for the well-being of the one you love." That seems obvious enough, but if there's one thing I've learned in three years, it's that this is not so obvious to the heart. I'm very grateful for a husband who takes care of me through thick and thin, through law school exams and clerkship applications, from right at home or 800 miles away.

And as I sit here reminiscing, I'm also reminded of the amazing music provided by my college choir for our ceremony. My favorite hymn they sang was "Love Diving All Loves Excelling." It is such a perfect retelling of Christ's love and wonderful wedding-day prayer for how we should strive to love each other.

But since I apparently have noooo idea how to slice up my wedding video to show you the clip, here's a Mormon Tabernacle Choir rendition that is ALMOST as good as it when it was sung by several sweet members Mississippi State Choir and directed by one of my very favorite people, Bruce Lesley. You should definitely take a listen; it's as beautiful as a hymn gets.

 

 

Happy Anniversary, Joe! I'm so grateful for these first three years, and excited I get to be Mrs. Davis for the rest of our lives!

 

Love,

DD



Amazing, MARVELOUS.. Anniversary!

As you most likely could have guessed, today's Monday highlight is all about my husband and greatest joy, because today we celebrate our 1 year anniversary!

It so so strange to me that we have been married for an entire year! Our wedding day is still so vivid in my mind... the super early morning that was a little chilly and dewy.. much like today.. having 20 people congratulate and try to give me day-of and marriage advice while getting my makeup done at Merle Norman, seeing my handsome groom for the first time on our wedding day, doing my best to be cool, calm and collected when my bridesmaids tried to very nonchalantly let me know that we were short a bouquet BUT IT WAS GOING TO BE FINE! NBD!... they handled it very well.. crying as as I watched our bridal party march to the alter to the most beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace" I've ever heard... thank you Dr. Lesley, choir, and bagpiper!.. trying to figure out what it felt like to be MARRIED as my new husband drove us to OUR wedding reception.. there are just so many details and feelings that are still so prominent from that day... I don't believe 365 have passed since then!

But then again, I think back on what this past year has been and it seems too many memories have been made for it to only be 1 year!

I very honestly know that a year ago today I married my best friend and the one person in this world that I was meant to spend the rest of my life with.  He has brought me more happiness, laughter, and comfort than I could ever try to recount.  Aside from my Salvation, he is kind of the best thing that has ever happened to me!

I knew I loved this guy a whole lot when I agreed to share the rest of my life with him a year ago, but I had no idea that in a year's time I could love him even more! And so much more that it blows me away! How is it possible to care this much about any one person? I suppose there is only one answer to that, and it is the very powerful, loving God that has enabled Joe and I to grow in love and continue loving each other more and more each day.

Now, for fear of sounding like an ingenuine greeting card, I will confess that there have been of course many struggles as The Davises. Afterall, moving to a new home 12+ hours away from everyone we knew merely weeks after our honeymoon with one of us starting our first post-college job and the other trying to make it through the first year of law school is not an ideal situation for young newlyweds. And yes, hearts got broken, toes stepped on, feelings hurt, but when looking back on the year it is really easy to forget all those things, because we are learning why they happened. We are growing from them. And we are more in love today than the past 7 years of our relationship!

Happy Anniversary, love! And to all the upcoming summer anniversaries, Happy Marriage to you as well! I hope your love continues to grow and flourish as I am so thankful ours has!

XOXO,
Mrs. Dianna Davis!


A few favs from our very special day..

All photo credits belong to The Lovely Union.