First Anniversary

Does anyone still follow that old, traditional wedding anniversary gift guideline?

If you're as in the dark about this as I was, allow me to enlighten you. You've probably heard of the silver and golden anniversaries, referring to the 25th and 50th year of marriage, respectively. But what about the 5th, 10th, or 15th year? Fortunately for the clueless among us, there is a long-standing custom of giving specific gifts for each anniversary. If the original list is too dated for you, just check out the modern version. Here's a peek:

Click image to see full list

Personally I'd rather stick to the traditional list, if I'm going to stick to a list. Luckily year one is just paper, which was easy to accomplish during deployment with the help of some Hallmark cards!

I got TWO cards (one funny, one sweet)

It's mind-blowing to think of everything that has transpired during the last year. Our first year of marriage has been a wonderful adventure together. I know that sounds so cliche but that's really what it was, considering that in the last year we:

• got married
• moved 1500 miles from home
• went on active duty

I don't know another word more qualified than "adventure" to so perfectly encapsulate the past year's experiences. I can only hope to look back one day and say the same about the next 50 years, but I'm in no rush to get there. I'm happy just enjoying each day along the way.

And in honor of our anniversary, I decided to share our wedding album. Enjoy!

Fair winds and following seas!

Stephanie

Bittersweet

Well...it's finally here. The D-word.

Deployment.

I have to admit it was somewhat of a relief dropping Justin off at the pier at 8:30 this morning. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and hated knowing that our last hug would have to carry me through the next seven months. But despite our tearful goodbye, I couldn't help feeling like a giant weight had been lifted from my shoulders as I drove away. This deployment has been hanging over us for the entire first year of our marriage. We have planned, prepared, prayed over it and were as ready as we could be for a first deployment. The outpouring of love and support from our friends and family  certainly helped and I can truly say that today, I have felt your prayers.

USS Mitscher, DDG-57

I didn't stick around to see them "man the rails" (see above) or watch the ship pull out...I honestly didn't see the point. I headed to work and grabbed a Starbucks along the way. I should mention that I love my job. I work as an accountant in a small office over my boss's garage in Chesapeake. Her and her husband are also the property managers of the condo we live in and her brother owns the unit that I rent. Small world? Nah, that's just Chesapeake. 

I got a quick goodbye phone call from Justin just before they pulled out of port at 11:00am.  Other than that, my day progressed as usual. I came home to an empty apartment but even that is not uncommon. Justin had duty every fifth night, meaning he spent that night on the ship and didn't come home. So tonight I sat on my couch, took in the silence, and enjoyed doing absolutely nothing for the first time in months.

Fair winds and following seas, my love!

Stephanie