Our First Anniversary

To be able to even type that post title is as much a miracle to me as any other part of our love story. Not because I had any doubt we'd make it to the one year mark...but because there were so many days when I wondered if I'd ever even have a love story. To be one year on the other side of that beautiful day is such an answer to years of prayers.  Ryan and I have enjoyed this weekend, celebrating together, and it sure has been a far cry from the scenery of a year ago!

Today I want to honor our first anniversary by sharing with you some of my favorite memories and photos of that day. And I want to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have walked beside us in this first year. We've loved having you as part of our life - whether our in-person life or our blog life! Thanks for joining us!

One year ago today at 7:00 a.m., this was our view as we sat in the same sand where we'd later stand to pledge our lives for each other. GORGEOUS sunrise. Coffee, prayer, Scripture reading, foot-washing, gift-exchanging...a perfect start to our wedding day.

Seeing myself for the first time, completely made up as a bride. I felt beautiful, prepared, and worthy. This moment right here, I will never ever forget.

Our first look - in a gazebo just outside the resort where we stayed. People were circling all around us taking pictures {which we wanted!!} but I never saw them. I only saw Ryan. I loved the look in his eyes so much - as he saw me as his bride and I saw him as my groom.

Dad seeing me for the first time in my bridal gown. He cried. I cried. And dozens of YOU cried when you saw this picture. It is indeed one of my most favorite pictures of the entire day.

Telling Ryan my Dad was going to walk me down the aisle. One of the most sacred moments of the day. That tear was the final one in many tear-soaked prayers over that request.

That silly iced tea was the "Where's Waldo" of our wedding pictures. It showed up in many candid ones. I also find my parents in the background watching this exchange MOST hilarious.

I love this moment. Walking on Dad's arm toward Ryan was the answer to more years of prayers than you even know. PS - walking into the sun and offering a genuine smile is REALLY hard.

Listening to Ryan's recorded song for me was my biggest surprise for the day - and a BEAUTIFUL way to start our ceremony.

Reading my vows to Ryan...a moment I ALMOST got through without crying....

Feeling that ring slip onto my finger....I cannot describe that moment.

Our first kiss as husband and wife. Best kiss ever!!

The first time I ever walked barefoot on the beach at sunset with my husband. So happy, I couldn't even stand it.

My wedding day dance. A dance for two on a deserted beach - with the faint sound of Jeremy Camp singing "My Desire" - we played it on Ryan's phone. It was perfect.

Ryan leading in prayer at our reception. One of my favorite moments.

Enough said. :)

Thank you - to ALL of you who made the trek to Florida to join us this day. Thank you to ALL of you who joined us in prayer from afar on this day. And thank you to ALL of you who have been part of our lives - in whatever capacity - as we navigated our first year of marriage.

God.  Is.  Good.

Ryan...thank you for making this past year so full of fun...so full of love...and so full of memories. I have loved every day we spent together, and I've loved being important to you. You've changed my life in the most beautiful of ways. Thank you for patience and grace on the days when I just flat out fail as a wife. Thank you for encouraging me, calling me beautiful, and working hard to provide for us. Thank you for being a picture of God's love for me. Thanks for sacrificing, for taking me on dates, for encouraging me to pursue my passions, for dreaming with me, and making my dreams come true. Thanks for pushing me to be more than I think I can be...for talking through hard situations with me...and for leading us in a Godly way. Thank you for making me laugh and holding me when I cry. I love you so much.

365 days down, forever to go.

You're the only one I want to spend it with.


Rebekah + Ryan from Visual Effects by Seth on Vimeo.