Monday, November 2, 2009

One year in

Dear Torsten,

One year and one day ago, you and I stood up before most of the people we love and who love us, and declared our love and commitment to one another. It was a pretty awesome day.


I can't recall the exact words that you spoke to me during the ceremony (though I know you still have them written down somewhere), but I don't think I'll ever forget how it felt to hear them spoken in that moment. Every detail of the day worked out the way we wanted--from the beautiful flowers to the delicious cake to the excellent DJ--and while I am still so happy that it all came together so well, the thing that made the day so great was that it was about us, and I got to spend it with you, both of us so happy to just be married. Standing up there with you saying our vows, sitting at our table together chatting during dinner, dancing with you for the rest of the night. No worries, no stress, no demands... just us. Married.


It has been an incredibly big year for us, and not just because of the whole marriage thing. As soon as we got back from our honeymoon we plunged into figuring out how to move to Denver, and in February it finally came together. We spent what I still consider to be our best Valentine's Day together driving across the country to our new home. A few weeks after that, we adopted Montana, and our little family expanded from two to three. A month after that, we bought a house, our first (and hopefully last). And then, a month after that, I had weight-loss surgery.


It was a whirlwind six months, let's put it that way. But everything that happened during that time was great, a happy, positive change. It was worth the whirlwind, is what I'm saying.

But you know what's been even greater than all those wonderful life changes? It's been the six months since then, the six months of us living in our house, with our dog, in Colorado, enjoying ourselves. It's been the life we've settled into and the calmer days we've been experiencing. It's been you, with me, us together, the foundation of our family as it is now and as it will be.


I love the way you are, on your own and with me. I love the way we are together. I love how well we know each other. I love how you watch your favorite sports team run away in a blowout win and still think they're going to find a way to lose. I love that I know you'll agree to come to the dog park with me only if I agree to stop for coffee on the way. I love that you cuddle me every night before we go to sleep, no matter what the day has been like, no matter how tired we are, no matter if we'd been squabbling earlier. I love that I can look at you and know what you're feeling, what you're thinking. I love that you can do the same with me.


This is our family now, one year in. I am so happy with where we are now. I can't wait to see where we go.


Love,
Jess

34 comments:

  1. I love how open and honest you are with Torsten. Even on this here blog of yours. I hope he gets to read this letter. Happy Anniversary!

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  2. Aw, congratulations! You too are such a happy-looking couple in every photo - I love it!

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  3. Happy Anniversary! This was a sweet post. I love the photo of you two in front of the castle/church.

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  4. What a sweet post! Happy anniversary to you both!

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  5. So sweet! You guys are so lucky. And you are looking freaking fabulous lately, if that last photo is more recent. I also love how Montana is looking at the camera. She's precious.

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  6. Wow, I can't believe it's already been a year! You guys are a fantastic couple - congratulations on the first year, and here's to many more just as happy!

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  7. Happy Anniversary and here's to many more!

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  8. What a sweet post. Happy, happy anniversary!

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  9. Happy Anniversary to you both! Love that last pic :)

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  10. Awww! Happy Anniversary! I hope that someday, I can write a post as moving and beautiful as that to Achoo!

    Congrats!

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  11. I cant believe it's been a year already!! Happy anniversary! :)

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  12. i can't believe it's been a year already!! happy happy happy first anniversary :-) :-)

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  13. I think that last shot is the Xmas card shot :o) It is your family. You're wearing purple. Congrats!

    - Mon

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  14. Love the pictures! I can't believe it's been a whole year for you two.

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  15. Happy First Anniversary! This entry was very sweet (and I love the photos) :)

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  16. Wonderful!!! Happy anniversary! I think everyone should look at your marriage as an example of how to do it RIGHT. Congratulations!

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  17. Happy anniversary! And yeah, that last one should definitely be the christmas card picture. It's perfect!

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  18. Awww how cute. Happy anniversary!!

    Not related, but you can see just how much weight you have lost in the past year- you are looking great!

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  19. Happy Anniversary. I hope that it was sweet and wonderful.

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  20. This may mean I'm a little weird (or a lot), but I LOVE photos of people kissing. It's so sweet, so romantic! Yours is perfect.

    I'm glad you're so happy together.

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  21. Aww happy anniversary! Cheers to all the good years to come.

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  22. Jess,
    So happy for you and Thorsten. You two look great and I love the wedding pictures. So much change in 1 year (married, denver, dog, operation, etc).

    I am still waiting to marry my loving partner Paul, but we are waiting till it is legal in CA.

    Love your blog, keep it going and keep it real.

    Alister

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  23. Awesome post and Happy Anniversary!

    Love all your beautiful pix, but the one of you in Torsten's arms at your wedding just makes me tear up. :-)

    And boy are you getting skinny :-)

    xoxo

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  24. Happy Anniversary to you and Torsten, Jess!

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  25. WOW! Such beautiful pictures.. and words! Happy anniversary guys! May it be the first of a hundred! or more.... :D

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