Wednesday, September 21, 2011

20 Years ago today

I got in a cake fight with my best friend. hee,hee,hee.
Yes, we smashed cake in each other's faces at our wedding reception in 1991. This is my favorite picture from that day as it truly reflects how we really are. Simple, not formal.
We paid for our own wedding and the reception. David gave me the money for my wedding dress. It was used. I bought it from a lady for $600 and took it to a seamstress to have it modified for me. It had a high neckline that I hand changed into a sweetheart neckline and long sleeves that I turned into 3/4 sleeves. It had a long train that bustled into a flower on my butt. I just loved that flower. This is the only dress I have ever liked and I still have it. Ya know I don't do dresses! hee,hee,hee. We couldn't afford a limo, so we rented a trolley and driver from the City of Virginia Beach. Everyone in the wedding party rode with us from the church to the reception including family members.
We didn't go on a honeymoon. Instead we put a down payment on a brand new house. This house was our wedding gift to each other. Our kitchen table was found in a dumpster and I still have the blue, metal, folding chairs we used around it. I keep them as a reminder of how much we loved that house and how hard we worked for it.

I was 23 years old at that time. In a two week period, I got married, moved into a brand new house with a big mortgage and took over as an office manager for a commercial roofing contractor. The lady I took over for retired after 42 years and had been training me for the last 3. It's funny when I think about how young I was and all that I did then. It was a tremendous amount of responsibility and soooo much stress. The twenty three year olds I know now are quite different.
On our ten year anniversary, we gave each other Rosewood Cottage, where we currently live. I always tell people that I got dirt instead of diamonds for that anniversary. hee,hee,hee. Rosewood is our 4th house together. We designed it and had it built just for us. The day we moved in, we had around $160 left to our name. Talk about crazy, but that's how much we wanted this house. We've always worked hard and believed we could have anything we set our minds to. We still feel the same way.

Now here we are at our 20th anniversary. Time truly has flown by these last ten years. I'm ready to move again as I get bored being in one place too long. I'm just a person that likes change and likes new adventures. David just takes things as they come and is pretty much is willing to go along with whatever crazy idea I come up with. I'm the dreamer and he's stability.

I'm not sure where or when change will come or what new adventure we'll find. What I do know is  that my best friend will be right there with me, always ready for a cake fight. ;)

Happy 20th anniversary honey bunny. I love you to the moon and back!
kisses,
shell  

71 comments:

Marsha B said...

Happy Anniversary! You have a wonderful story, thank you for sharing it with us. May you have many, many more years of adventures together.

Fiona said...

Congratulations and happy happy to both of you.... lovely to read the story about the houses ....
Enjoy the next 20....
Hugz

PS I have a David too... their good blokes....

Jo in TAS said...

Oh Happy 20th Anniversary Shell and David! Your story sounds alot like ours. We paid for our wedding too, no honeymoon for us either, we built our first home and furnished it with borrowed items. We've worked hard for everything we have and we're so proud of ourselves. Maybe you and David need that honeymoon now and I reckon you should make Australia your destination and include a trip to Tassie of course to stay at the Grand Chandler Hee! Hee!
Best Wishes to you both!!
Hugs
Jo

Kris said...

Shell - Not only congratulations but huge applause to both of you for enduring to the end and HAPPLIY!! It's a rare thing these days!! You both were cute when you were young but you both look better now than the day you wed!!! XOXXOXOKris

Miss Holly said...

Well done you two!!!!! We will be 20 next year...our story is very much the same...but we were older...36 & 37...we are lucky people...lots of people do not make it this far and if the do they aren't happy....we are!!! Hope you all stay happy and let's work on the next 20!!!

CHRIS said...

Happiness is a precious gift. So glad it has been given to you. Congrats on your 20th. I recently reached my 30th. Many more to you. Hugz Chrisb.

Sharon said...

Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful post! I enjoyed reading every word of it. You were a beautiful little bride!

Barb said...

I think that is one of the smartest things you ever did was forgo a honeymoon to buy a home...so smart. I enjoyed your story and so glad the marriage is still alive. Now...as you know, we are nomads over here and I would give my eye teeth to live in the same place longer than 3 years but that being said....I do enjoy moving now that the kids are grown, it was hard when they were in school....congrats to you, may you have many many more years together!!

Debora Hoffmann said...

Congratulations on 20 years, you love bunnies! :o)))

Jane said...

Happy anniversary to you both, enjoy your day and here's to the next 20

Susanne said...

Hi Shell and David, many happy congratulations to both of you, I just love the picture of your cakefight, it looks as you had a lot of fun. Now that we visited you this summer, I would say your house is so beautiful, I for surten would not leave that house and the surroundings you have, every thing is so fine. May you both have lots a good years ahead of you. Many loving regards from Sofie Amalie, Marie Louise, Rune and Susanne from Denmark

Jeanette said...

Congratulations & Happy Anniversary to you both. Great picture of your cake fight. :) Hugs,

Michelle Ridgway said...

Congratulations on 20 years and I have to say I still see the same sparkle there. You both looked and still look so great together. It is a blessing to get to live with your best friend for all that time.
I wasn't even surprised when I saw the cake photo! LOL!

Nima said...

That was soo sweet to read about you. may God bless you..happy aniversary to both.

Fleurette said...

What a lovely story. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to you both. Best wishes and blessings for many more happy years.

Unknown said...

Lovely Post...Happy Anniversary You have a Similar story to us..we paid for our wedding and had the reception in the backyard as we had put the formal reception money on a block of land and built our first home...seems we Appreciate things more by doing it the hard way...
Love all your Piccies...
cheers

Christine M said...

Happy anniversary Shell and David. What a lovely story. I don't think I could ever have had a cake fight. I'd stress out about getting my beautiful dress dirty! lol I still have my dress. Actually it was a shirt and top but cleverly disguised to look like a dress. As I had 3 boys, the dress will probably stay in the wardrobe until perhaps one day a granddaughter may want to wear it. Hugs, Christine xx

Christine M said...

Just read Jo's comments. Of course, you'd then have to come over to Melbourne and head to MacDonald's Patch!

By Hoki Quilts said...

Teamwork and communication not to mention the odd bit of comprimise I am sure some of the ingredients that make the partnership we call marriage work. Congratulations to the two of you, a smooth team for sure.
hugs
Miche'le

Jade said...

Happy Anniversary! What a lovely story of a beautiful relationship--may you enjoy many, many more years of blissful togetherness. :)

Sunnybec said...

Happy Anniversary Shell and many many more. Hugs Linda x

Megan Chamberlain said...

Wishing you a wonderful anniversary and many more amazing years together. I loved reading your post, you look adorable in your wedding dress and I really do love you house.
Hugs to you and the beautiful bunnies.

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary...love your story...

Jane said...

HAPPY 20th TO YOU BOTH xxx
We celebrated our 25th yesterday ~ isn't it lovely to always have your best friend at your side.

Fee said...

Happy Anniversary Shell and david - A lovely fairytale. I wonder what adventure you will dream of Shell?

Hugs - Fee X

Becky said...

Happy Anniversary Shell!I loved this story how amazing.Many many more to come!

The Farmer's Attic said...

Happy Anniversary Shell - may the Lord bless you with 20 more!!!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Happy Anniversary Shell and David and may you enjoy many more.

Rosa said...

Happy anniversary Shell and many to come!!

Hugs to you and honey bunny!

Rebecka said...

Happy Anniversary to you Shell and David! I loved seeing all your photos! Your cakes faces is the best! Wishing you only the best in the future years!!

Christina said...

May you have many many many more. Congrats!(and I love the cottage)

Shirley said...

Hi Shell, I am so happy for you and David. May you have another 20 years. It is a good idea to take a honeymoon now to celebrate. We will be married 48 years this next month or I should say in 28 days. We celebrated our 40th because we didn't think we would reach 50. Have a great adventure in whatever you do and live every day as though there is no tomorrow. Hugs from your Missouri Friend.

Diane H said...

Anniversary Blessings to both of you. Loved reading your story.

Sheila said...

Happy Anniversary! Loved hearing your story.

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

Happy 20th to you both. It is our 24th today as well. I guess it is a great day for long marriages. We too have never had a honeymoon.

Jan M said...

Happy Anniversary! Wishing you many more years, many more adventures, and lots more cake!

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Happy Anniversary, Shell and David! I love your wedding photos. They're just adorable. You were a beautiful bride and still are today, my friend.
Wishing you many more happy and loving years together...no matter where your adventurous spirits take you.
xoxo
Deece

Sherri said...

Shell Happy 20th Anniversary to you and your hubby!! I love this post!! You two make a great couple!!

The Fab Furs said...

Happy Anniversary and congratulations on 20 years together! And the adventure continues!

Jocelyn said...

Happy Anniversary!! Wishing you many, many more wonderful years together.

Mrs. Sew and Sew - Karen said...

Happy Anniversary Shell...to you and your Honey Bun!!!

Chris said...

Happy Anniversary Shell and David. May the road to the next 20 be filled with love and happiness.

Jen said...

Happy Anniversary! Thanks for the heart-warming story. May your next 20 years be just as fabulous!

Jillayne said...

What a fabulous story! I love the cake fight best, but the trolley ride is a close second.
Your wedding sounds like a wonderful, personal time and it must have been something special for all who shared it with you.
Funny isn't it, how some people are restless and ready to roll, and others are happy to stroll along for the ride ? I guess that's what makes a perfect match....
Here's to the next twenty, goofy years - hope they're amazing!!

jerilanders said...

Dirt is WAY better than diamonds! I think you are both beautiful, you have worked hard, been optimistic and made your wishes come true. What a great time you have had! Many more years of happiness to you both.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Shell I love your wedding story - and congratulations on your anniversary. Well I don't love cake in the face but I did love the rest. :) The dress was stunning and so was the young woman in it - and your dear husband reminds me of Clark Gable as Rhett Butler! Life is an adventure so make the most of it. If you like moving, then move. Make it fun! blessings, marlene

Pat said...

Happy Anniversary. I am like you and love to move from house to house. I love to decorate them and then move onto the next one. My friends think I am nuts when I say it is time to move again. Even now that I am older I am ready for the next place. I sure wish the economy was better so it could happen.

RG said...

Aw crap - ya hadda go remind us. We were on vacation during anniversary and kinda forgot it.

Go for 20 more!!!!

Nancy D. said...

So sweet! Congrats on 20 years.

Miss Hillbilly said...

Happy (late) Anniversary. I love change too. So maybe it is good we live in rental houses? Moving upward and onward!

Allie said...

Happy Anniversary, you two - you are still such an adorable couple!!!!!! How come you guys don't get older???

N. Maria said...

Happy 20th Anniversary!!....and many more to come!
Love you both.

Carrie P. said...

happy anniversary! you make a very cute couple.

Lisa said...

Happy Anniversary!!! Such a sweet post. I loved everything up until the part about leaving your beautiful cottage, could you really leave? (I'll take it! hee hee).

Yes, young people are certainly different these days. I certainly couldn't do everything you did, or really anything you did. I'm lucky if I can pay my rent.

Shell said...

Happy Anniversary, Shell. What a wonderful love story you have with your husband. Getting the house instead of the honeymoon is a great idea to me.

Anonymous said...

The trolley still goes up and down Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach and carries wedding parties, bachelorette groups etc. New Bern is a far cry from VA Bch touristy town. Love your blog.

SixBunnies said...

Happy Anniversary!

Margaret said...

Lovely story . Happy next twenty years.

Jessica said...

What a beautiful life you have lived with your love! Congratulations!

Marie said...

Hi Shell,
It's been a while, but I am so glad I visited your blog in time to wish you a happy anniversary. I loved reading bout your past 20 years.
Marie

Sparky said...

OHHH I just love happily ever afters....your story, your photos, your life...like a movie...and I am happy to have tuned in xx

Michelle said...

Happy Anniversary! Congratulations on 20 years. This year was our 20th also, but in June. Isnt it amazing how fast it went by!

Deborah in Atlanta said...

How heartening it is to know there are still people happy after all these years. Happy Anniversary!

Annette Tait said...

happy anniversary Shell and David! a wonderful, joyous, loved filled story! many many more years of love, happiness and blessings to you both xx
Annette, Arabella and Wesley

Sewconsult said...

Happy Anniversary to you both. We've been married for 39.5 yrs. We truly have dealt with everything and more that we ever dreamed. Illnesses, deaths, births, more deaths, and more illnesses, but through it all, we never thought of walking out on one another. Well, I did walk to my sister's house one day! (She lived 2 doors aways and my mother-in-law was causing chaos.) May you continue on your journey in life together until the very end.
Beckie in Brentwood, TN

quiltmom anna said...

I hope that you have a wonderful 20 th anniversary. Bruce and I celebrated our 30 th anniversary last December. He still is my best friend and we do have fun together.
Congratulations to your lucky winners-
I haven't been reading blogs as much as school is back in - I do like to drop in and see what you are up to - it is always fun.
Warmest regards,
Anna

Karen M said...

Shell, I just got back from out of town, and saw this post. It's a little late now, but Happy Anniversary. Looks like its been a very happy 20 years. We reached 25 years on the 20th. I can't believe how fast time goes.

Rock River Stitches said...

Happy Anniversary! Wishing you many more! What a cute couple you were and still are!!!

Tammy

bunnits said...

Wow! Congratulations! You two looked great then and still lookin great now. Here's to at least 20 more.

Jenny of Elefantz said...

What a beautiful post, Shell! The love and fun yuo guys share is so obvious. :-)
Happy 20-to-come, and I pray the next move is just as exciting as your previous ones. :-)
Hugs
Jenny
xxx
PS: Mark and I celebrate our 20th on December 28th. 1991 was a wonderful yera for marrying your soul mate!

Mandy Saile said...

AAAWWWWWWWW congrats you two...and thanks so much for sharing these photos and part of your dreams:D XXOO.

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