Wow. Six years. It seems like only yesterday, yet forever ago at the same time, that Danny and I wed. I remember waking up the morning of our wedding and laying in bed, knowing that the next morning...and every morning after...I would wake up with Danny by my side. I was so excited to marry this incredible man, and I was more than a little pumped that he was so incredibly handsome! I'm shallow, I know. But he was by far the most attractive guy I had ever dated, so I was stoked to get him forever! I can't believe it's been six years and four kids since that amazing day.
Our celebration started at the beginning of the month. During the summer we were engaged, the band Journey came to the USANA Amphitheater. The first concert I had ever been to was Journey, and I wanted to go again. Danny and I had such a wonderful time that night, and the music of Journey has had a prevalent place in our home since then. So, when we found out that Journey was coming again this summer, we just had to go! But, we've come to be more responsible during the last six years, and with buying a home we decided that we shouldn't spend the money. We were a little bummed, but we didn't worry too much about it. Then, a Six Year Anniversary Miracle happened! Danny's brother David won tickets to the concert on the radio, and since neither he nor his sweet wife had any desire to go, they gave the tickets to us. Yay!
We left the kids with Grandma Candy for the evening, and headed out for a night of fun. It was my first time leaving Luke, so it took me about a half hour to warm up to the idea that we were truly kid-free. But once we got to dinner, I barely remembered we even HAD any kids!
"Pat's BBQ" is a restaurant featured on "Diners, Drive-ins', and Dives" that we hadn't had the chance to go to yet. It didn't disappoint! Danny got the brisket and pulled-pork, as well as some amazingly delicious jambalaya. I ordered the 1/4 chicken and some pork ribs. Yum, yum, YUM!!
After dinner, we headed out to the concert. We spread a blanket, and reminisced while we waited for the opening show. Some group called Loverboy opened, and while we recognized a song here or there, it wasn't really the show we were excited for. Pan Benatar played next, and she was awesome.
But we were there to see Journey. Finally, the real show started! And it was awesome. We enjoyed the music, the stars, but mostly the time together. Remembering that one summer when it was all about us and our amazing love. :) Good times.
But as the evening progressed, we started to realize that we've grown up quite a bit in the last six years. It was distracting to watch the adults around us get more and more inebriated, and act more and more ridiculous. Then, there was the group behind us, with a guy that just couldn't get enough to drink. Though he had probably had enough before he got to the show. He started out a happy drunk, if anything being annoyingly friendly to those around us. But, as they always do, he started to get a little belligerent and he started fighting with a group of girls. It got kind of out of control, and eventually security arrived and escorted him out of the concert. Too bad his poor 14 or 15 year old boy had to stay. Seriously! Some people's parents.
It wasn't long after that depressing scene that the show wrapped up and we headed home. We were glad to know the kids had been good for Grandma Candy, and even Luke was sleeping like a...well...baby. :) We spent the night there so as not to disturb the sleeping babes, and even enjoyed sleeping in a bit the next morning. Thank you so much, Mom!
If that had been all, it would have been enough! But perhaps to make up for years past when we weren't able to do much for our anniversary, we were able to line up some more babysitting and go out on another date on our actual anniversary day. But before we left, we had each gotten each other a little something. Danny brought me home some beautiful roses, and I had bought a picture for Danny. When I saw it, I was immediately reminded of Danny. I've seen him look just like this with each of our beautiful babies. And what would be more appropriate for our anniversary than a reminder of the hallmark of our marriage thus far and forever. Our sweet children.
After we exchanged our gifts, we headed out on our date. We wanted to go to the temple, and since the Ogden Temple is still under renovation, and the Bountiful Temple was closed for cleaning, that left the Salt Lake Temple. Which was fine by us! All the better, really. Seemed appropriate with it being our anniversary and all. :) We also thought we'd try out The Cheesecake Factory for dinner, but since it's still so new and it was a Friday night, it was a forever long line to get on the list. So, we changed our plans and decided to try out "Biaggi's", an Italian place at the Gateway that we'd heard good things about.
If the calamari was any indication, we were going to be pleased. :)
Danny originally ordered a pork tenderloin stuffed with an assortment of Italian cured meats. Totally up Danny's alley! But there was a mix-up, and he ended up getting the Grilled Pork Chops with Parmesan-Gorgonzola Butter. Wasn't what he ordered, but it was delicious!
I got what I ordered, which was the Salmon and Shrimp Milanese...a fresh fillet of fennel seed and black peppercorn crusted salmon served with large shrimp, creamy Italian rice with asparagus and saffron and a lemon-basil butter sauce. So. Incredibly. Delish. We then went beyond overboard and ordered dessert...the Italian equivalent of a decadent chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. Wonderfully rich and perfect for the occasion.
With full stomachs and a significantly emptier wallet, we left in time to make the last session of the evening. We had plenty of time before the 8:00 session began, so we took some time to enjoy Temple Square and remember our special day six years before. So much has changed, but in all the right ways things are exactly the same. The session was small and intimate, and the perfect way to end our wonderful date.
There are pivotal points in everyone's life. Decisions that you make that put you irrevocably on a certain path. Marrying Danny was one of those points in my life, and it's a decision I would make again in a heart beat. He is an incredible man, an amazing husband, and I think literally the world's greatest Dad. I've loved having babies with him, and I know I can only raise those babies with him by my side. I thought my heart would burst that day six years ago, when I finally became his wife forever. But it turns out, my heart has the ability to keep expanding. Thank you, Danny, for making all my dreams come true. And for showing me more dreams on our horizon I didn't know I had. I love you today and forever.
Happy Anniversary!
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