Aug 2, 2013

5 years in the making... The story of real *sweet* love.

August 2nd 2013 has come - and it's a really special day for me and the SWEET family. 5 years ago today, Mr. Sweet and I got married. 

Our love story really isn't anything movies are made of - Jacob and I met when we were 14 in a high school humanities class - he made fun of my large butt  - I called him stupid - it wasn't really 'romantic' .... actually,  the love that we built - it came slowly. We became friends in high school (yep, even after our rather 'rocky' start) and before I knew it - we were graduating and we were BEST friends. I didn't date in high school - he dated anything that had two feet and wanted to kiss him (sorry Jacob, it's true) We rushed off to college - in two different states - and talked ALL. THE. TIME. He came for a visit while I was in college - and perhaps a kiss was shared - and frankly - the rest is history. 

Our meeting wasn't anything 'special' or 'romantic' and, as I mentioned, would hardly create a 'Hollywood' buzz. 

BUT. 

But, our marriage - 

Our marriage is epic. 

It's completely indescribable and in the same moment - EVERYTHING I ever dreamed a marriage - a life - a love - would be. Disney couldn't set the bar as high as my 'happily ever after' .... it's true what they say, marriage changes everything. And, for me - it made me complete in the most necessary way.

You know what I didn't know - and have only come to see (and be eternally grateful for) I thought *everyone* married their best friend - the person that they wanted to spend EVERY. WAKING. MOMENT. with. I thought *everyone* spent 5 minutes in the morning hugging and loving on their spouse making silent plans for a future when jobs could be 'at home' and longing for the moment that the door pushed open in the evening and once again - big hugs, kisses, and LOVE comes with it. I thought, ALL women - wanted a man that made 'girls night' looks like a sloppy second to movie night on the couch - or in the bed - or really anywhere HE is. I thought, everyone married the person that their PROUD to stand next to - that lights up the room with a smile (and that smile - it's directed at YOU) - I thought all people married the one soul that they wouldn't want to face eternity without - that made them laugh and laugh and laugh ... and encouraged them to GROW GROW GROW. I thought that ALL marriages were like mine - or that my marriage wasn't special ... because everyone feels the way I feel about Jacob towards their husband..... 

Turns out - that's not the case. It's, surprisingly rare - and maybe not that surprising when you look at divorce rates. {I digress}
 
You see the special thing about me - is him. 

AND, even more special - our marriage. 

Jacob and I, we're 'that couple' and we didn't even realize it. We were so busy worrying that we fought a little too much (about cleaning - cause that's about the extent of our fights - seriously... lol) that we didn't stop. look around. and SEE that God blessed us with what people search their WHOLE life for. 

I know that most of you don't personally know me (or Jacob) - but, I can tell you without reservation - that Jacob is the best person I have EVER met. I have yet to meet ONE person who doesn't LOVE him, want to be around him, and wishes they were more like him. He's the open your door - smile - ask how you're doing - and complement your shoes - type of guy. He's the life of the party - who does an MJ impersonation that is rumored to be the best people have ever seen! - he's smart and funny - and witty - and vulnerable - he cries about as easily as he laughs ... and both are more often then he'd admit ... He's lovely, gentle, accepting, loving - he's mine. 

I did good. I did really really good. 

I know, If I do nothing else - if I fail at everything else I touch - if I die tomorrow - I made the single best choice I have ever made when 5 years ago today - I said 'I Do' .....

How many people can say, with complete sencerity that they are BETTER for having gotten married? I don't know, but - I can. Together, and married, we made it through our twenties - we lost 140lbs (collectively) - we encouraged each other to go for our dreams and achive them - Jacob, with graduating school and passing his CPA ... Myself, with starting and maintaining a creative business that is successful. We did what all of society warns about - we grew and changed AND we did it TOGETHER. We became better people - more confident in our own skin - and you know what happened?! I turned to him, as a newly confident better version of the woman he married and I said - I STILL CHOOSE YOU! If these past five years are proof of anything - they're proof that you can change almost *everything* about yourself and still LOVE, ADMIRE, and STICK WITH your spouse. I think the secret was, we really truly and completely want the other person to be *happy* and whatever road takes us there- we're all to willing to travel it - TOGETHER! We'll do wacky - we'll do crazy - we'll do logical - we'll do anything... as long as it's together. 

Some might call my husband my security blanket - {perhaps even in a not so nice meaning} - and I would say. Yep. Completely. And, I am his. 

I couldn't think of a warmer, softer, more comforting blanket to have - then his love. It's my understanding, as human and simple as it is, of how God must feel about all of his children. 

I am blessed.


So, without any more gushing I wanted to share with you the card that I made for our anniversary - and the 'layout' I did (without a stamp on it.. lol) and there is a winner in there too! 

I asked all my lovely fans to help me 'pin' some inspiration for my anniversary card and we had over 150 pins! WOW so much amazing stuff! I was so inspired .... but this caught my eye (and my heart) 


Pinned by: Samantha Mann {I'd love to give credit to the orginial source - but, couldn't find it - maybe Samantha knows}

CONGRATS Samantha - you're the winner of any set of your choice - email us and let us know what you want :) {Be sure that it's in stock - thanks!} 


So, here is the card I made - with that inspiration in mind.... 


And, I also made a scrapbook layout for the occasion (that will probably be hanging on the wall and not in a scrapbook) 


That's our top 50 from the first 5 years of marriage ---- I'm sure it's hard to read... so in no particular order... here it is....  (and it's **around** 50 depending on how you count vacations etc...lol)

Graduate College - Move to Bay Area - Move to San Diego - Live w/ parents for 2 years - Vacations : Greece - Turkey - Italy - Mexico x3 - Hawaii - Canada - Seattle - Vegas x 6 or 7 - San Fran - Big Sur Camping - Bay Area Camping - Napa Valley x2 - Sweet Stamp Shop - 4 Jobs for Jacob - 3 Jobs for Nicole - 3 Apartments - 4 cars - Passed CPA - Lost 140+ pounds - Football season tickets - Concerts : Adele - Ray - Steve Miller - Daniel Bedingfield - Weddings -  6 stitches - 1 less appendix - Broken Ring - Wisdom Teeth removed - Bible Study - Papa passed away - Movies - Countless Dinners - Birthdays - Cooking Classes - Comedy: Ralphie May - Weight Watchers Commercial - New Friends - 

If the first 5 years are ANY indication how AWESOME our next 5 years are going to be - Bring it on. :) 

Ok, let's just round this out by saying - I love my husband and I'm super thankful to be in a blissfully happy marriage for 5 years! Here's to many many many more! 

So you made it all the way through the ooshie - gooshie - over the top icky and it's the end.... and we have a little something for you.... how about a little coupon code that we won't tell anyone about {except you - and here} .... Use coupon code NJR5 to get any one regular priced 4x6 for $10. This weekend only!

Happy Weekend - Happy LOVE - and thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs, 
N.
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25 comments:

  1. Awww! Amazing post!! I love the card and esp the layout!

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  2. I feel the same way about my husband! What a sweet post - super HAPPY anniversary to you both!!!

    housesbuiltofcards@gmail.com
    www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com

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  3. awe...seriously teary eyed! That was so sweet and thoughtful! Love you two!!!

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  4. Congrats on your 5 years. Thanks for sharing your story. I love reading these "how we met" stories. And tell him today that you don't have a "big butt" and he is not stupid :). Deep inside I think you both liked each other way back then when you thought each other was annoying or you wouldn't have even bothered to talk to each other. I met my DH at work while in college and I thought he was the most annoying person there. LOL.

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  5. Congrats on 5 years!!! Loved reading your story!

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  6. Congrats on your 5 years anniversary! And wow what a beautiful card and page. Love all the journaling. It's really stunning.

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  7. Happy 5th Anniversary! Your love story is very inspiring and I look forward to reading your post for your 10th Anniversary and top 100 =) CONGRATS! I will have to plan on doing my top moments for our 15th Anniversary! Great idea =)

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  8. This is such a SWEET post! Congrats on a happy 5 years! The card you made is adorable! x

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  9. What an amazing tribute to your marriage and your man. Does you heart good to read such heartfelt words. Congrats to you. Have a wonderful anniversary!!

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  10. What a wonderful post. The love you share spills from the page. Have a wonderful anniversary!

    Such a fun card and the layout if fab!

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  11. AWWWW, I absolutely LOVED READING YOUR TESTIMONY TO MARRIAGE! Thank you for sharing it~BIG BIG Congrats and well wishes for many many more years!!

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  12. OMGosh...this brought tears to my eyes!! So sweet and loving, I'm sure Mr. Sweets will be bowled over by the sentiment of it all!! Thank you so much for sharing and showing some of the single ladies out there that Mr. Right does indeed exist ;)

    The card is darling and your SB layout is just as fab...way creative!!!

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  13. Oh, I am home from vacation now and just made it through this beautiful post, every single word of it. WOW! God has blessed you both tremedously. Yor attitude of gratitude is so wonderful, too...so good to not take any of our blessings for granted! I am amazed at how similar our stories are...I feel exactly the same way about my best friend, my husband, and my high school sweetheart. We just celebrated our 18th anniversary and I can't believe that it just keeps getting BETTER! What a gift your post is to him, your words are so sincere and full of love! Your card is perfect, as is your layout...WOW to both! Congratulations on 5 years of marriage...may God bless you with many, many more!

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  14. Aw, what a sweet post! Happy 5 Year Anniversary to you and Mr. Sweet! Your card and layout are both absolutely gorgeous, I'm sure he'll love them! :) Congrats again and here's to many more happy years!

    Ashley
    http://especiallymade.blogspot.com

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  15. So happy to hear that you have a *real* love story going on! Very sweet card and layout, I hope you two enjoy celebrating 5 years together!

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  16. So sweet:) Love that you have an awesome marriage like I do. Congrats on 5 years together and here's to another 45:)

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  17. Love your story. Thank you for sharing.

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  18. Congrats on your 5th Anniversary! I loved reading your story! Wishing you many more years of love and happiness!

    ~Tracy

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  19. Congrats on your 5th anniversary! Best wishes for many, many more! My hubby and I celebrated 20 years of marriage this past week!

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  20. Congratulations on your 5th anniversary! This was so sweet, and so close to home! My husband and i have been together since we were almost 16 (we're 26 now), and boy are you right there's been a lot of changing and growing over the years!! We waited to get married until Sept. of 2009, so we'll celebrate our 4th anniversary soon, and its amazing how many friends we've seen be with so many different people over the years, and some have even been married and divorced within a years time!!

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  21. Congrats on your 5th Anniv.!!! TFS your awesome story...

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  22. It is definitely rare, it is something very precious that the two of you have together!

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  23. AMAZING post Nicole! Congrats on your 5 year. Here's to 50 more!

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  24. Beautifully written...I feel that my husband and I have the same best friend relationship and its always inspiring to hear that others have it as well. Many, MANY blessings to the both of you!

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