Newlyweds and Nesting: Elizabeth Anne Designs Living: A Food, Lifestyle, and Craft Blog » Relationships

The Case for Husband and Wife Wish Lists

PJ — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:30:31 +0000

Earlier this month, my husband surprised me with a Kindle for Chanukah. When I opened the box I was at a loss of words for two reasons:

I didn’t realize we were exchanging Chanukah gifts.
I didn’t really want a Kindle.

You might be asking yourself, “Well, why wouldn’t they exchange gifts for Chanukah?” First, Chanukah is not really as a big a deal as Christmas. That’s just the honest truth. Yes, as children we were slightly spoiled with presents, but, as I’m no longer a kid and have no kids of my own to spoil, Chanukah, for me, is now about lighting the candles and eating latkes — not gift-giving. And since my husband and I didn’t discuss buying each other presents, I didn’t think we were doing it this year.

Still, my husband wanted to surprise me with something he thought I really wanted this holiday season. I don’t know if, during the year, I had casually commented on the Kindle while seeing a commercial for it. I can’t remember. However, knowing that I am a lover of books and chronically late returning them to the library, he thought a Kindle would be the perfect present. Or at least a runner-up to the iPad, which I really want but recognize is way out of our price range.

Boy, did I feel like jerk explaining to my husband that I didn’t think I would actually get much use out of the Kindle. He tried to so hard to please me, and here I was bursting his bubble. But I just couldn’t justify keeping something that cost that much money when there were other things I wanted and, dare I say, needed. If I were still living in the city and commuting on public transportation or if I took frequent business trips, the Kindle would definitely come in handy. Who wants to schlep a heavy book in their bag? But as I don’t do either, I’m perfectly content flipping through the pages of a library book while on the couch or in bed.

Although he was disappointed that I didn’t love his gift, he ultimately understood my rationale. Ironically, when he took the Kindle out of the box to give it a try, he decided that he actually didn’t even like it and would also prefer to read books the old-fashioned way!

I suppose I never told him that my wish list actually included a fancy-pants wallet and a pair of waterproof winter boots to replace my six-year-old UGGS. When I told him that if he really wanted to buy me something, he could get me that wallet, he argued that a gift should come from the heart of the giver, not from a list of items that the recipient already knows that they want. But I disagree! The purpose of wish list is to catalog those items that you wished you had but ordinarily would not buy yourself. I tried to convince him that it would still be special and a surprise to receive something from such a list. I even proposed that we both keep running wish lists that we can each reference when it comes time to buy birthday, anniversary or holiday gifts… but I don’t think he’s completely convinced.

Have you ever been disappointed by a gift given to you buy your significant other? Do you think having a wish list would making gift-giving easier, or does it take the “specialness” out of the experience?

{image source: Mary Kate McDevitt on Etsy}

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 7 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Holidays, Newlywed Life, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

Planning A Fall Date

Tara — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 13:00:16 +0000

Regardless about how you feel about the term date night, quality couple time is so important as a part of the married lifestyle. It can be too easy to get caught up in all of the to do lists and work pressures and social gatherings of summer to find that it has been way to long since you have gone out on a just-the-two-of-us date. While dinner and movie is a nice standby, why not get out and enjoy the great weather that comes with the transition to the fall season before the cold demands more time be spent inside!?

{Image via Street Photography in Paris}

I am a firm believer that dates can be scheduled for any time of the day; afternoon can be an absolutely lovely time for a date, maybe especially so in the fall. Here are a few of the ideas that I am thinking about plugging into our calendar for some fall fun and quality couple time:

Apple Picking. Going apple picking is maybe a standby… but what better way to get out and do something together all the while supporting local farms! And forgetting the best ingredients for pie or crisp. You all know that apples taste the best in season and straight from the tree so imagine the absolutely fabulous dessert that you can make together after the outing! One can peel while the other makes the crust.

Hiking! What better way to enjoy the fall colors and brisk air than a little hike through a forest preserve. Don’t worry if you also live somewhere flat and/or urban, mountains are not required for an enjoyable hike! The 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles books are definitely helpful and filled with ideas for hiking around the specified area (can be found at bookstores and on Amazon). And many cities have botanical gardens that will be filled with fall colors very soon.

Play tourist in your city or town. Head to a local attraction, stroll down Main Street, sip a coffee (or tea) at a local spot.

Register for a turkey trot race! Ok, so this may not sound like a date per-say. But if you train together and then do the race with the “start together, finish together” approach it can be a lot of fun as a couple activity. Working towards the common goal together will give you a whole series of running/jogging/walking dates! Just leave the mp3 players at home sometimes.

Pack a picnic. Who says picnics are only for the summer!? There will be at least a few warm and sunny weekend days left so why not sneak in a last picnic of the year. Making it super low-key by grabbing a blanket and picking up some lunch fare from a favorite deli or filling a thermos with a fall soup will keep this a fun, relaxed afternoon together. Bonus points for adding an afternoon drive to see the fall colors while you head to a park!

What are your favorite fall dates and activities to do together?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 2 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Newlywed Life, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

Fighting the Fair Fight

Mojito Maven — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 13:00:04 +0000

In many ways, Mr. Mojito and I are very much alike. We love math, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang, delicious food, lazy Sundays, our old cars, living in suburbia, and Cowboys football. We’re OCD neat freaks, simpletons, and nerds to our core.

But there are many ways in which we are different, especially in regards to how we communicate and deal with arguments.

He’s patient and kind and caring and collected and reserved. I’m loud and vocal and sarcastic and passionate and succumb to verbal diarrhea.

Yet we balance each other out.

We have an incredibly blessed, strong, and happy marriage. Mr. Mojito is my best friend, Uno competitor, running buddy, nightly dinner date, Sunday night movie companion, study partner, and biggest fan.

But like any couple, our marriage is not without faults, disagreements, and hiccups. Not every day is unicorns and chocolate frosting and rainbows. We argue. About the little things. About the important things. About the mundane things. About the stupid things. Things like taking out the trash and organizing the garage and taking Oliver for a walk and what movie we should watch after dinner.

There are times when I’m snippy and hormonal and on edge. There are times when Mr. Mojito is exhausted and wants to be left alone. But at the end of the day, we’re in this crazy thing called marriage together.

Then there are times when I don’t fight fair {this is not an everyday or every disagreement occurrence, but it DOES happen occasionally}. It can be over something as inconsequential as where we should go on our next vacation or something bigger like graduate school, finances, and our careers.

I name call or make below-the-belt character attacks (i.e. “You’re acting like an idiot!”). I use global statements such as “always” or “never” (i.e. “You never listen to me!”). I go off topic to a long list of prior examples of the current issue. I tend to act like a four-year-old child by either shutting down, giving the silent treatment, or slamming our bedroom door.

I hate it, especially because Mr. Mojito is an incredibly fair fighter. He doesn’t raise his voice or name call or use past actions against me. He looks at each situation independently and as unbiased as possible. He is always loving in our exchanges. I am constantly humbled by him.

Me? Fighting fair is something I have to actively work to avoid every day. And one day I am determined to overcome it completely. For me. For Mr. Mojito. And for our marriage.

If you’re willing to share, I’d love to hear if anyone else struggles with this and how you handle it.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 4 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Life, Newlywed Life, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

Why I Got Married

Cyd — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:53:41 +0000

Not long after my husband and I were married I shared with you my reasoning behind why I didn’t change my last name and today I figured it might be time to share with you why I got married. I’m sure it seems pretty straightforward to most of you, but as it turns out there is at least some degree of confusion among people as to why two individuals might decide to get married. My reasoning behind marriage was pretty simple – I wanted to be a wife. While this may not seem like a shocker to you, allow me to clarify for a moment – I got married because I wanted to be a wife; I did not get married because I wanted to be a mother. At least in my world, the things are two wildly different roles, one of which I do not aspire to add to my list of credentials.

{Photo via Girls Just Wanna Have Funds}

Allow me to preface this conversation by noting that I love children, especially toddlers because they melt my heart, and I adamantly support my friends and family who have elected to make parenthood a part of their lives. I love and have limitless respect for women who chose to be mothers. (Thanks, Mom!) I simply don’t want to be one. Not now. Possibly not ever. Shockingly, in 2010 this is still an incredibly outlandish concept in most circles I run in so I thought I’d throw it out on the table so others who share my feelings can rest assured – you are not alone. There are at least a few of us running around out here in the wild who have no desire to be a mommy, despite society’s shock and awe at the thought of a woman not becoming a mother at some point in her adulthood.

So. Why did I get married? Simply put, because I love my husband and I wanted to spend my life with him. I wanted to be his partner, his confidant, his best friend, his biggest fan and his partner in crime for all the days of my life. In turn, I wanted someone to travel the world with, to grow with, someone to challenge me to do better, and to spend my days with someone whose very presence makes accomplishments large and small infinitely more meaningful and more exciting. In other words, I got married to share my life with him and in turn to share his life with him. It just so happens, Mike is the greatest person I know and I love him dearly so it only made sense he should be that person. I got married because I wanted to be his wife, partner, friend and coach. Becoming parents is irrelevant to all the ways we love each other and all the ways we’re committed to each other so while I can’t say definitively we’ll never be parents, it certainly played no role in if we got married. If we decide to become parents, that commitment will be a separate oath we take on the day we decide to go down that path. Until then, I’m no less of a wife nor any less of a person because I have no plans to become a mother.

With all that said, it has to be noted that six months into marriage I’m growing a little weary of all the people who won’t give up on their quest to beat us into submission with regards to their will for us to have a baby. I find it incredibly odd that before you’re married, most socially-adjusted people wouldn’t even think about inquiring about your sex life at every family gathering and social occasion, but once you’ve signed a marriage license all bets are off – your sex life can be mentioned, without fear of recourse, at will pretty much any time of day or night, regardless of the appropriateness of the situation. Honestly, what is with people constantly asking me when I’m going to have a baby? What if we were trying to have a baby and we couldn’t for some reason? Does anyone ever stop to think about how horribly inappropriate it is to butt into someone else’s plans, or lack thereof, to procreate? And, while we’re at it, if even one more person tells me that my “clock is ticking,” that my “eggs are dying” or that it’s “your turn next” I might scream. No. It is not my “turn” – this is not a board game. This is life, people! Motherhood is not something you pick up on a whim while you’re out at the mall shopping, it’s an incredibly important decision that can only be made between the people involved, not an issue up for public debate. Life is not a democracy and you get no say in my decisions regarding reproduction.

I’ll save my laundry list of reasons for not wanting to be a mother for another post (and why, if I do decide to be a mom, I’ll probably be adopting), but for now suffice it to say that the motivation behind my getting married was to be married, not to be a parent. Whatever your reasoning for getting married, I support it, and I’d love if even a few more people could support mine. Oh, and while we’re at it, if you could stop telling me that I’m “young” and that I’ll change my mind it would be very much appreciated. Whether you like it or not, I’m not having a baby. Final answer.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2010 · Permalink · 21 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Children, Newlywed Life, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

How Sleep Can Affect Your Marriage

PJ — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:00:48 +0000

(image via Flickr)

A few weeks ago, my husband went on a business trip for a couple of days. I was dreading sleeping alone again; J hasn’t been deployed in quite a while and I’ve gotten used to spooning before we drift off to dream world. To my surprise, the first night he was gone, I had the best sleep that I can remember having in a long time. It was one of those sleeps where you wake up in the same position in which you fell asleep. I didn’t toss or turn or wake up in the middle of the night. I experienced a blissfully deep slumber. Was it because I was alone in the bed?

According to a recent study by Dr. Neil Stanley at Surrey University, sleeping in a separate bed from your partner can be beneficial to your relationship and to your health, as sharing a bed can lead to harmful sleep disturbances. “Poor sleep is linked to depression, heart disease, strokes, lung disorders and accidents,” says Dr. Stanley. Plus, if you’re tired, you’re more miserable, he explains, and that can lead to divorce. Divorce caused by sharing a bed?!

Unlike this writer’s husband, J has never unintentionally punched me in the face in the middle of the night. However, he does sleep smack in the middle of the bed, leaving me with less than half of the mattress’s surface area to claim as my own space. He radiates heat in the summer and steals the blanket in the winter. But he’s the best at cuddling before we fall asleep and the first person I want to see when I open my eyes in the morning. So what if every night I don’t experience the best sleep of my life? I think I’d be more miserable if we slept in separate bedrooms — or worse, in separate twin or double beds in the same room. So near yet so far! Although there is something to be said for having a room of one’s own…

How does sleep affect your marriage?

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 8 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Newlywed Life, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

Motherly Love

Julia — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:30:36 +0000

I know it’s not Mother’s Day, and it might seem a bit random, but as newlyweds who are nesting I think we can all relate to our mothers more and more each day. I feel like the more I grow up the more I understand my mom. I see myself in her with each passing year and although that used to frighten me, I’m proud of that fact now. I am beginning to appreciate all that she has done for me over the years and words cannot express my gratitude. Living 8 hours away from my mom is truly torturous sometimes. It’s little memories like the ones in the following post that make me smile and feel closer to her than physical distance allows.

The following post was written way back in January of 2008, which explains why I’m bundled up in a hilarious blanket. I think we can all appreciate our mothers no matter what stage of life we are in currently. And maybe this can be one of those things you tuck away in your brain to use with your ‘someday’ kids. Enjoy!

We received a care package in the mail today. My Mother has always enjoyed sending me special things. In college, I’d get the best stress relieving packages ever right around finals—full of homemade cookies, funny quotes, and goof-off gear [ie squirt guns, silly hats, etc.]. She added little love notes to my lunch box every day in grade school. I’d find cute post-it notes applied to my mirrors saying things like, “Have a great day, babe. Love you, Mom.”

Of course, there were years that I despised my Mother just because that is what teenagers do. We hate our parents for being so….dumb, lame, uncool. Ah, how I wish I could retract all of the horrendously mean things I said to my Mother when I was younger. I take it all back, Mom. You are the best.

Anyway, I digress. We got a care package today full of goodies. Items include: a bling-tastic charm for Henry’s dog tag, a hand held game for Nate to play while I’m busy scrapbooking [or blogging, I suppose] and a snuggle dud blanket for my cold evenings, working on scrapbooks:

[note my very serious face in these pictures. The blanket is more like a poncho and it’s the bomb. I haven’t taken it off since it’s arrival]

And the best gift ever? A handwritten journal by my Mom, begun two weeks after my birth and continuing until I was eight years old, dedicated to me. It’s a fabulous shade of faded yellow corduroy with the 80’s floral pattern splashed across:

Here is the first page, saying “Our Baby–Julia” and I took the liberty of adding my personal signature later in life. Hey, it was my book, right?

It’s full of my Mom’s pretty cursive handwriting. When she was really tired, in my newborn days, her scrawl gets harder to read. It’s so interesting to see the progression of time through her script:

Then there was this cut out person. I can only assume that I drew this person, who is naked, and bearing some incredibly ugly private parts. Maybe I just learned about genitals and was fascinated?

Now that’s what I call some junk in the trunk! No, that isn’t a butterfly behind her, it’s the butt. Talk about being confused when this thing fell from the pages of the journal. I was a true artiste, I suppose.

Anyway, I’ve spent most of my evening curled up in my poncho, pouring through the pages of my Mother’s life with her daughter. My first thought? I’m TOTALLY doing this for my kids, but maybe by way of the internet. Lots of moms blog about their children, right? Mom was just ahead of her time.

Some of her early entries make me scared to have children. I know I will be every bit as neurotic as my loving mother. And I know it would be extremely hard, being a Type A, to let the baby set the schedule.

“11-11-81: I think I’ve been overdoing the perfect mother thing. I never leave her. I answer every peep. I think I need to be at this place right now so I can get a better perspective on things. I need to let myself leave her now and then , and not feel guilty!”

I know it was extremely hard on her, after being married for 6 years and being a whopping 27 years old to give up her career to be a Mom. Her journal is very descriptive about her struggle with going back to work versus staying home with me. I am so proud of her for staying home. And she didn’t regret it for one second.

My Mom was always such a great mother. Always.

“6-2-81: Tonight after her 8:30 feeding I just wanted to hold her and hold her. She’s such a doll. I love feeling close to her and holding her near me. I want to develop a really good relationship with her. I really love her. She smiled at me real big several times today.”

Some things have not changed with me, in 26 years of life.

“Monday 5-11-81 she had her first medical exam and screamed. I think she was cold with no clothes on. She does not like her clothes off or to be cold.”

And seriously, I was probably the funniest child ever. And very profound for being so young. I was born in April of 1981, in case you are wondering how old I am in these quotes:

“12-21-83: Cute sayings….Grandpa Baker says,’You sure tickle gently’ and Julia says, ’I know, because I’m nice and I love you.’…..’I’m independent.’……To Daddy when she couldn’t get her point across, ’You just don’t understand me, Dad.’

“2-9-84: Two men were arguing on TV and she said,’That’s not nice, is it Daddy?’ Later she said, ’Mommy talks to you that way sometimes.’ “

“6-29-84: Cute sayings…Julia wanted some Wintergreen mints and couldn’t remember what to call it, so she asked for ’Snow Gum.’ “

“10-23-84: The other day in McDonalds, Julia asked me where my happy face was as I sat in deep thought. Then she proceeded to ask me if I was sad, mad, depressed, happy, glad—Then she asked if I was scrunchy. I told her I didn’t know what that meant and she replied, ’Scrunchy is when you feel healthy in your tummy.’ “

“4-23-85: The other day Nelson was talking about work and how his boss was yelling at him. Julia, who didn’t seem to be listening said, ’Daddy, next time your boss yells at you, just go into your office, close the door and ignore him.’ Nelson laughed so hard he nearly split a gut.”

“7-10-85: When we got home, Julia asked [as she always does] to have a friend over. I said she’d played with friends all morning and afternoon–why couldn’t she just play by herself for awhile? She answered, ’Mom, I’m not like you. I’m a child.’ “

“1-23-86: She was in the family room the other day and said,’Dad, now that you have a job, there’s several things I’ve been wanting.’ Ha! I chimed in, ’Me, too!’ “

Some of my Mother’s entries make my heart hurt. Make me miss her dearly, appreciate everything she did and does for me, and makes me yearn to be a mother myself. These are the type of things that would make it all worthwhile.

“3-9-85: Tonight I was washing Julia’s hair as she was looking up at me and said, ’Mom, when I grow up I want to be a mother just like you.’ Then coming home from the store she says, ’You’re not being a very good Mommy today.’ I asked why. ’Because you wouldn’t let me have the candy and you’re making me wear my coat.’ “

“6-29-84: Today I talked to Julia’s teachers at preschool and they gave a glowing report. They said Julia is very bright and she shows signs of leadership. She described Julia as kind and said that when a child was crying , Julia hugged her and tried to comfort her. Julia doesn’t sit around, rather is involved and utilizes activities offered.”

“9-29-85: Tonight on our way to bed she said, ’Mommy, when I grow up, I want to marry someone just like you.’ She hugs REAL tight and says, ’and that’s how much I love you.’ Those things tug at my heart and I’ll treasure them forever.”

I am truly blessed to have such an amazing Mother. I cannot imagine life without her and can only hope to be half of the Mother she was to me.

Someday. Not now. After reading about my first year of life I think I need to wait a good 2 years before kids. It was quite frightening. Sleep deprivation can do mean things to your mind.

I love you, Mom. And to any other daughters and mothers out there, I hope you enjoyed a peek into my Mom’s journal.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 4 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Children, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

Boundaries

Mojito Maven — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:00:33 +0000

Specifically in regards to the in-laws.

Although things have gotten better since our wedding, there was a time when every conversation I had with my mother in law ended with me in tears. It was very early on in our engagement when Mr. Mojito and I made firm boundaries with our in-laws. We are a team and we needed to act as such. In the end, those boundaries saved us.

When things would get really bad and I wanted to cave into my mother in law’s ridiculous demands, we would always remind ourselves of the all too common phrase, “When you give a mouse a cookie…”

I understand not everyone has a poor or even strained relationship with their in-laws. If you are one of those people, count your blessings. I wish I was as fortunate to have such a great relationship with my mother in law. Because of the hurt I felt during my own wedding planning process, I no longer want a close relationship with her. I wish it could be different, but I chose my own self-worth in the end. My feelings and my heart come first. It took me a long time to be fine with this decision, but now, I know it was a good decision for me to make.

Now, my mother in law no longer feels like she has the right to lecture, pass judgment, or offer her opinion unless it is specifically asked for.

I do hope one day I can look at her as a friend and not someone who caused me months of pain and heartache.

So…

How do you all deal with in-law issues. Do you set up boundaries? If yes, what kind of boundaries? How does your spouse or significant other deal with the issues?

If this post is too personal, please do not feel obligated to answer. I just wanted to hear how other people handled difficult family situations in the hopes that it may help my own.

{image c/o www.time.com}

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 12 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Life, Newlywed Life, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

Mr. Fix-It

Kate — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:00:26 +0000

I’m a Talker. My husband, like most men, is a Fixer.

Let me explain…

{credit: Charles & Hudson}

Having discovered the wonders of therapy at a youngish age, and having spent one whopping semester as a psych major (I switched after deciding that Spanish Literature and Language would be oh so much more relevant to my daily life), I am definitely a gal that likes to vent. While I’m not usually a whiner (at least, I hope I’m not), when I’ve had a hellacious day or something is truly bothering me, I like to come home, pour myself a glass of wine, and emote.

One of the perks of this whole “marriage deal” is having someone legally required to listen to your rants… or so I thought. These days, its seems like I’m only a fourth of the way through my list of “Ways the World Wronged Me” before Evan has “A Plan.” Then, all of a sudden, I’m updating my resume or signing up for a boot-camp or contributing more to my 401k, when all I really wanted to do was some cathartic bitching.

This is an interesting roll reversal as I am the one with the umpteen To-Do Lists and the calming yogi breathing exercises and the color-coded calendar and the “put on your big-girl panties and deal with it” attitude. But sometimes those big-girl panties get a little snug and I just need to talk (and talk and talk) about it. And that’s the point at which I feel like chucking my stemless wine glass at My Husband The Fixer’s noggin.

Don’t misunderstand – I appreciate the fact that I have someone who cares about me enough to want to make all my problems disappear. And I realize that (infuriatingly) Evan’s almost always right – I would feel better if I did X, Y, or Z. Additionally, I know from the grander, sociological (my other major – um, again, so incredibly useful) scheme of things, most decent men tend to be solution-oriented – so I can’t fault the Hubs for taking up the Fixer Man Mantle.

So what of my need to verbally dissect life’s little hiccups?

Long (Preachy, Self-Help) Answer: I’m discovering more every day that I’m a much happier person and a much better companion if I don’t expect my spouse to be everything I need all the time.

Short Answer: That’s what girlfriends and half-priced bottles of champagne are for!

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 7 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Newlywed Life, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

Are Diamonds Forever?

Mojito Maven — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:10:33 +0000

I have had this conversation with several people and wanted to know your thoughts. I find that people are VERY divided on this topic…

Would you upgrade/change your engagement ring (either in size, shape, clarity, or all of the above) assuming you could pay for the upgrade with cash (i.e. no credit cards or debt) and both parties were O.K. with the decision?

Ponder and discuss.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 8 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Beautiful Things, Life, Newlywed Life, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook

Traditions

Mojito Maven — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:25 +0000

Every week since we started dating, Mr. Mojito has given me a bouquet of flowers. Sometimes it is orange tulips, raspberry colored peonies, calla lilies, or cymbidium orchids, but this week he gave me beautiful two-toned roses, berries, and hydrangeas.

This is a weekly tradition I look forward to. It has even become a fun game between us. He never gives me the flowers on the same day so I am still surprised every time I receive them, and he always makes me guess what flowers are in the bouquet. Sometimes I am right, but most of the time he tricks me because he tends to create bouquets with very unique flowers (think dahlias, freesia, berries, and hiasynth). But the aspect I love most about this tradition is that it is special and sacred to just us.

So, this got me thinking….what special traditions do you are your loved one have? Is it going to weekly movies or dinners? Brunch on Sundays? Game night? Nightly walks? Cooking classes?

I thought it would be fun to hear what other couples do and maybe even get some ideas of fun, new traditions we could start.

© Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2009 · Permalink · 7 comments · StumbleUpon It!
Posted in: Beautiful Things, Good Things, Just for Fun, Newlywed Life, Relationships

Follow Ami on Twitter · Join us at EAD Weddings too! · EAD on Facebook