One year deep.

Time warp: John and I will be celebrating our first wedding anniversary on Sunday!

They say that the first year is the hardest. We’ve had some challenges this year, to be sure- life loves a surprise. But I’m more confident than ever in our life together and, somehow, love him even more today than I did on our wedding day.

Looking back over the photos from last year made me remember all sorts of crazy things. I’d all but forgotten the fact that I spent 10 days in and out of the hospital last October! I’ve teared up multiple times at memories sparked by the photos. It’s only been a year, but the little moments are so easy to forget. I know those moments are where the magic lives. The details are what make life amazing. So in addition to remembering the big, obvious parts of our wedding week, I spent time this week ruminating on the blissful bits that made it so incredible. As we head off on a “one year deep” celebration trip to the Pacific Northwest this afternoon, I thought I’d share a few with you.

All of the “you and me” moments leading up to the big day: tasting cakes, sampling signature cocktails, being treated like royalty during the menu selection process, stuffing envelopes for the rehearsal dinner and wedding, opening wedding presents and feeling loved.

The sweet little dinner planned by some local girlfriends in a room with amazing wine bottle walls and a charming bartender named Bob.

Waking up to the first major snowstorm of the year, two days before our outdoor wedding.

Making seriously gorgeous rings, start to finish, with three of my dearest friends.

Wild turkeys everywhere!

Watching friend after friend, family from afar walk in the door for the rehearsal dinner, feeling overwhelmed with love.

This unexpected (but not surprising) moment during the rehearsal dinner cocktail hour, when John and I found ourselves at the back bar at the same time. Clink.

When John shattered a wine glass to get people’s attention at the rehearsal dinner.

John’s “how to peel a shrimp” speech.

Watching friends and family, young and old, dive into piles of Louisiana white shrimp with their hands and lick butter off of their fingers. In bibs.

CHURROS.

Words from loved ones that made us laugh or moved us to tears, particularly speeches from John’s dad and my brother. Both definitely ruined everyone’s makeup.

John feeling compelled to save the leftover shrimp and walking out with a bag of them, like Santa Claus.

The rocking band that just happened to be playing in the Owl Bar after the rehearsal dinner… and subsequent unplanned dance party.

The stunning work of my wedding planner and florist, who turned our indoor wedding ceremony (a last-minute change) into candlelit perfection.

The mayhem before the moment.

My booty in this wedding dress!

This moment with my Daddy, just before walking down the aisle.

Pausing and taking a second gulp during the wine ceremony portion of our wedding.

This moment. We did it.

John making fun of the fact that I can’t wink.

Grabbing tushie during our first dance.

A full-to-the-edges dance floor during this song.

A big group of friends spontaneously picking up their chairs and surrounding our little sweetheart table for a toast.

My dad’s speech beginning by announcing to our wedding guests that he would be happy if I got pregnant that very night while looking directly at John.

My friend Sarah interrupting Amanda’s maid of honor speech to pull a (super believable) Bridesmaids re-enactment.

John teaching my mom to “raise the roof” on the dance floor.

My friend Heather diving into The Worm, prompting my husband to do the same (in his nice Varvados suit).

My brother busting the moves to Gangnam Style and KILLING IT.

John’s niece and nephews drawing a crowd with their dance moves.

Breakdancing and disco. We’re old.

This photo of John surrounded by ladies. I must frame it.

The details: DIY “love is sweet” honey favors, “love is intoxicating” table number wine bottles, “I do” and “Me too” decals on our wedding shoes, orchids in my bouquet and his boutineer in honor of his late Mama, “Marriage is messy” bibs and wet naps at the shrimp boil rehearsal dinner, framed wedding photos of my parents, grandparents, and John’s mother on her wedding day, wedding day madlibs on the back of each menu (hilarious to read later).

Laying on the bed after we got back to our room, after discovering candles glowing and flower petals everywhere. We talked about the day’s magical events for hours.

Waking up to find John’s truck decorated with love, a string of beer cans tied to the back bumper.

John’s family being “stuck” in Utah due to Hurricane Sandy gave us an unexpected wedding present: a house full of loved ones all week.

The night before our honeymoon, when the last family member had left and we had our first opportunity to soak it all in.

It truly was a magnificent week, full of the love of family and friends. Thinking back to each snippet, each laugh, and each memory makes my heart glow. All of the bells and whistles made for a fantastic party, but as I said last year, we didn’t need all of that to get hitched and start a lifetime together. We just need each other.

One year deep, that’s still all we need.

(Well, plus Cholula.)

Related:

Love hangover.

Everything amazing.

(Professional photographs in this post courtesy of Tommy Chandler Photography.)