3 years of love :: what we've learned

yesterday we celebrated three years of marriage. we really can't believe we have shared three cities, moved four times & grown together through it all. we share the same passions, appreciate one another & respect the other for his & her strengths. it's quite beautiful this relationship we've made & continue to work on.

of course, it isn't always easy. we argue, we grow annoyed & sometimes we just need to slam a door to prove a point (that's only me, really. ahem). marrying at 19 & 20 has brought along tons of challenges & honestly, i think we just got lucky. in celebration of three years, we want to share with you our list of a handful of things we've learned/are continuing to learn along the way:

natalie::

+ being married to luke means we will often be late & there's nothing more i dislike than being late. i am slowly learning (baby steps!) to wait patiently & quietly like a real adult instead of reminding him every minute that we're late.

+ it's important to sit down & enjoy a meal. i often skip meals or eat an unhealthy snack while on the go, but luke has shown me that is more enjoyable & much healthier to sit down, relax & eat if only for a few brief moments.

+ we were made for the dance floor. my man knows how to get down & boogy until late into the night. i love that about him.

luke:: 

+ gifts can be an important way to communicate love to Natalie and to other special ones in my life. I have never been a good gift-giver, but I'm learning the art of gift-giving from Natalie--slowly but surely.

+ relationships need spontaneity, which is not something I'm very comfortable with. I like to know what's going the happen and stick with the plan, but I'm leaning to break from plans every now and then to add a little spice to our relationship.

+ Natalie is not my everything. I often expect her to be my wife, lover, and best friend who likes to do everything that I like. I'm learning that it's okay if Natalie isn't into everything that I'm into--that's what friends are for.

------ 

just a few instagram moments from the evening & a little peak at a couple of gifts i made for luke.

i happily brought out my crayola watercolors & pen to make this funny little card for luke. we were ferment for each other. it's true! i think we're framing this one!

& this mug. i used the baking method. more details {here}!

cheers to many more years of loving, learning & creating!

love,

natalie