Young House Love

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Celebrating Our Fourth Anniversary

See what I did there? If our 4th wedding anniversary were a movie sequel I’m sure that’s how the title would be treated on the movie posters (and yes, it would be dubbed a blatant rip off of Scream 4). Anyways, as is the tradition, we’re dropping in with our little rundown about how we celebrated four years of marriage last Thursday (see our three year anniversary post here and our two & one year anniversary post here). This year it kicked off, as most days do, with breakfast.

Four Breakfast

I made this particular breakfast (Strawberry-Orange Stuffed French Toast with Raspberry Butter) as an homage to our so-good-we-took-my-picture-with-it (here) favorite meal during our Alaskan honeymoon. Of course, what I lacked in food presentation (do I get points for my strawberry hearts?) I made up for in flowers in our wedding colors.

Four Flowers

We agreed not to do gifts this year (our new laundry project was going to be a joint gift to ourselves), but I broke the rules when I spotted a bunch of bee-themed stationery from Smock Paper. Since Sherry’s an epic list maker and our wedding invite had bees on it, I just couldn’t stop myself from shelling out my credit card digits for a few items. And yes, Smock Paper is a sponsor of ours but no, they didn’t have any part in me buying these. They’re probably finding out about my purchase via this post, actually.

Four Johns Gifts

They sadly didn’t have any bee themed big sticky pads, but I got one in the closest color scheme since I knew Sherry was low on office notepads (small sticky notes went unused in our junk drawer, but these big guys are already getting a workout). We appreciate how eco-conscious these wares are in general, but we particularly loved this simple request printed on the bottom: use this to do good.

Four Use This To Do Good

What I spent in dollars, Sherry matched in thoughtfulness – writing a homemade card listing thirty things she, Clara, and Burger love about me (each of them got ten). I told you, the girl loves lists. And it sure beat the “Love, John” in my card. Oops.

Four Sherrys Card

But the day wasn’t about exchanging paper products. It was about doing fun stuff together. So after working the morning away, we ducked out for lunch at one of our favorite casual spots: Sticks Kebob Shop. Yum. And we had a $10 off Groupon for it too. Aw, cheap lovebirds. Or should I say cheep? (Bird joke for the win).

Four Sticks Kebob

From there we popped over to a local art place called Crossroad Art Center, which we’ve heard lots about but never managed to visit in five years of being Richmonders. It’s basically a massive gallery featuring of lots of local artists, though sadly we couldn’t take pictures inside for ya. One of our favorites was Morgan E. McKinney, but we didn’t find anything in our current price range. Someday.

We did get giddy over these $4 paintings-turned-notecards by Sherri Conley that we thought (once framed with big generous mats) would make for a great little “zen moment” in our master bathroom. So we took them home.

Four Sherri Conley Prints

How could we pass up buying something that said “I Love You” on our anniversary? And the photographer’s name is Sherri, so that counts for something too, right? Sherry and I were actually standing in different areas of her booth and each said “this is sweet” at the same time. We reconvened to see what each other had found and we were both holding the I Love You airplane card.

Four I Love You Close

From there it was time to take our annual corny anniversary photo. We’ve got a little tradition of snapping (and later framing) a family pic each year on 7/7…

NotWedding Four Years

… and this year definitely proved the hardest. Apparently a 14 month old can’t grasp the concept of “hey, look at the beeping black thing on the funny three-legged stick… and oh yeah, smile while you’re at it.” Guess we didn’t know the blessing we got last year when her 8-week old self slept through the entire thing. But we did eventually manage to get this one. Stacked heads = maximum cheesiness.

  4thanniversary1

Apparently we pressed our luck by trying to get Burger in the picture. This was our most successful attempt. Hey, at least the adults are looking!

  4thanniversary2

Then we headed off to grab our anniversary photobooth picture (more on that tradition here). The place we always go (New York Deli here in Richmond) has an authentic 50-year-old booth that actually develops film strips (not digital prints, like a lot of the others out there). Sadly the booth was having an off day, so the results were especially smeary (note the fourth frame in particular). We were having a bit of an off moment too, apparently. Yes, Clara cried the entire first strip.

Four Photobooth

Well, that was actually the second strip because we didn’t even keep the first one. During our first attempt the thing started going off prematurely with only me in the booth, so half of the strip is me looking perplexed and calling for Sherry to hurry inside with the bean. But we got some happy squeals during the third attempt from Clara. Good nuff.

After some in-the-car blog tending (what did people do before iPhones?) it was dinner time.

Four Brio Meal

We ate at Brio Tuscan Grille because it was the site of our rehearsal dinner back in 2007 and, well, we hadn’t been back since celebrating our second anniversary. Meaning it was this little lady’s first trip.

Four Clara Brio

Is it just us or is there something hilarious about a sippy cup, some Goldfish crackers, and a Dr. Seuss book on a carrera marble table? Thankfully those magic items (plus her very own pasta meal) were enough to keep Beansie happy and entertained – even after a long day of celebrating.

Four Clara Sherry Brio

And as if we hadn’t shoved in enough anniversary bid-ness already, Sherry followed up this July 7th just like she did four years ago after our wedding: by chopping off a bunch of her hair (you can actually see her with short hair waay back in the 2007 archives here).

Yep, say “goodbye” to the honorary fifth member of the YHL team: Sherry’s ponytail.

Haircut 1

Though I’d say it’s a fond farewell, since I think my lady looks mighty sexy this way. Note that she was too shy to pose for photos by me, so she snuck off and took pictures in the mirror because “I made her nervous.” Aw yeah, four years later, I still got it.

Haircut2

Oh and Sherry wants me to add that all is right with the world – she can still pull her hair back into a tiny pony when we paint. How would she know? Let’s just say we’re working on the laundry room rightthissecond. More details tomorrow.

Anyway, as much fun as we had this seven-seven, we must admit that our minds have already kinda skipped ahead to next year’s big five year anniversary. In honor of our Alaskan honeymoon, we thought it’d be perfect to celebrate the big 0-5 by going to Hawaii (since it’s sort of Alaska’s non-contiguous partner in crime). We haven’t really planned much at all, but we figure if we keep saying it out loud it’ll force us to actually make it happen next year. Since we haven’t actually flown anywhere on vacation since our honeymoon in 2007. Better make it happen.

Comments

  1. Karen M. says

    Congrats on 4 years! I adore your anniversary traditions, they are too sweet. My husband and I just celebrated our belated honeymoon in Hawaii – it was amazing. If you visit Maui, you must go to the Feast at Lele luau – it was by far the highlight of our trip! Love the haircut too :)

    Reply

  3. seriouslysasymama says

    I love how you two are really conscious of what you spend. Many young couples could probably learn a thing or two from you. There’s an idea.. A book on how to be a frugal decorator. Love the hair cut. I too was tired of my pontytail ways and chopped it all off. No more ponytail for me.

    Reply

  5. erin says

    Congratulations on your anniversary!
    John – that breakfast looks scrumptious.
    Sherry – love the new hairdo :)

    Reply

  6. Jenn says

    Looks like a fabulous anniversary celebration! Congrats on 4 years, and here’s to many, many more!

    We had our rehearsal dinner at Brio, too. Love that place!

    Sherry, you look incredible with your new ‘do!

    Cheers! :)

    Reply

  7. Lee says

    Love the new hair!!! It looks like a great day to celebrate your 4nniversary. I am jealous that you all get to be together all day.

    Reply

    • Laura says

      i have a crazy cowlick in the front too! a few years ago i let my sister cut straight across bangs…no bueno. That was the longest 6 months of my life waiting for them to grow out!

  13. Tiffany says

    Just wanted to say that I’m a follower of your blog who lives in Anchorage – and I’m equally obsessed with that Snow City french toast. I’ve instituted a rule that it’s only allowed on weekends, because if I eat it for lunch during the week (I work right across the street), I’ll spend the rest of the afternoon in a food coma.

    Reply

  15. Amy says

    Love your new haircut!!

    I have enjoyed reading your blog over the past year and have been inspired by all of your wonderful ideas. Keep up the great work!

    Love your sense of humor too Sherry!

    Reply

  17. Emily says

    Sherry, your hair is super cute! You remind me of the actress most recently cast in the Game of Thrones series on HBO – Emilia Clarke (of course as her natural hair color, brunette and not bleach blonde)!

    Reply

  19. Sevi says

    Sheeeerrrryyyyyy looooooooveeee looove the hair and I knew you’d look hot with shorter hair, you’ve got it in you babe!!

    Reply

  20. Alison says

    I LURVE the hair Sherry! What a fun day you all had!

    And John, I think your gifts were very thoughtful…even if they weren’t homemade.

    Can’t wait to see the laundry room!

    Reply

  24. Myrna says

    We had our own “wedding week” event. Our only granddaughter got married on 7-9-2011 in Pittsburgh. It was a big, beautiful indoor gathering with perfect weather.
    What do you think they had at the reception? A photo booth!You immediately came to mind. It was in color and there were funny props to use, but I think I would have preferred the John/Sherry b&w kind. The pictures were glued to an album page with space to write a message and it took the place of a more formal guest book.
    I really enjoy following your DYI projects and your willingness to share the progress.
    Keep up the good work.

    Reply

  26. Renee says

    Sherry, I always thought you’d look fantastic with your hair down…turns out I was right! Even more stunning than normal!

    Reply

  27. Kerry says

    Sherry, you are so pretty! Very photogenic. And the haircut is great — not a mom-cut at all. I live in fear of accidentally getting a mom-cut.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Really? I thought it was a total mom cut! Haha. It was inspired by a Sandra Bullock haircut that I pinned on Pinterest, and she has a little boy so I figured it might be one of the nicer mom cuts out there. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  29. Mandy says

    Sherry, you are so pretty, LOVE the new hair!! TOtally agree, much prettier than Angelina, and I also have a girl crush :)

    Reply

  30. Barb says

    Thanks for sharing in your private wedding celebrations. And Sherry….you are beautiful with your new haircut. It is stunning!!!!

    Nicely done!!!

    Happy Anniversary to you all!

    B.

    Reply

  32. JB says

    Sherry is a serious triple threat! Talented, funny, and beautiful! No wonder why John asked you to marry him in 8 months..Another 4 inches and you’d be perfect, just kidding Sherry! Love you guys and you look seriously breathtaking!!

    Reply

  33. Christel says

    To be honest, I’m not sure the hair is what everyone is raving about (though the haircut IS adorable)…it’s your beautiful face! You are gorgeous! Stunning.

    P.S. I had a dream last night that I was watching your show. It was a TV show version of YHL. Like a reality show. I loved it!

    Reply

  34. Jennifer says

    Happy Anniversary! Love your haircut! I thought of you guys this weekend – saw some bee fabric (yellow with little bees on it) at Wal-mart.

    Reply

  37. Corrie says

    Sherry – GAH-GEOUS DAHLING! loving the sassy new look! you are so effortlessly beautiful and the shots you took are great.

    btw, LOVE that john got you the smock bee stationary! my mom is an event planner/smock dealer and the first time i saw the bee themed products i thought of you guys!

    Reply

  38. Jen Hartz says

    You guys make my heart smile – you can just feel your love for each other. The husby and I celebrate 3 years two weeks from today! We haven’t had much time to start sentimental traditions, but you have inspired me to change that starting this year!

    Happy Anniversary!

    p.s. You look SOOO cute Sherry!

    Reply

  40. t says

    I was just contemplating cutting off my hair two minutes before reading this! looks so cute, and rather than angelina, I think you look like the actress emilia clarke!

    congrats on the anniversary

    Reply

  42. Christel says

    http://www.vrbo.com/176251#photos

    This is where we stayed. Amazing. Opening an entire wall and falling asleep to the sound of the ocean…Sometimes renting is cheaper than a hotel. And at this particular rental, we could still use the pool and hotel amenities since it was on Marriott property. Have fun planning for #5! Happy 4th Anniversary!

    Reply

  43. Kate says

    I was just introduced to your blog by my sister and I have to say I’m an instant fan. I’m amazed at everything you’ve accomplished and inspired by your style and DIY attitudes. My husband and I (who were also married the summer of ’07 and have a daughter about to turn 2) are starting to look for our first house after 5 years of living in condos in Chicago. At first I was so nervous at the thought of decorating and creating beautiful spaces in our new home and now I’m excited to try some of the projects you’ve undertaken. Thank you for everything you do!

    Reply

  44. Lanie says

    Happy Anniversary. My husband and I are celebrating our 4th next month. I love all the mushy nostaligic stuff too.

    Great hair Sherry! I see Mila Kunis. I haven’t been told I looks like any celebrities, how fun for you to resemble so many beautiful ones! You’re still unique though, and mostly just look like you.

    Reply

  46. CasaCullen says

    congrats you bunch of cuties!
    yay for four years!
    i cut my hair off earlier this year and donated it…best thing i’ve ever done! 22 inches – SEE YA!
    we also have some BIG NEWS over on CasaCullen today…we’re hoppin’ on the baby bandwagon, and i don’t mean the hairy baby type :)
    hope y’all are well!

    Reply

  49. Jaclyn says

    I love everything about this post. Your fam pic this year is glorious. All your foods look delish. And I love the gift swap. Thanks for sharing the day with us :)

    Reply

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