We have never been people of titles or big celebrations. When we were younger we thought that we just had to do it because it was what people do. I guess we don’t like the fact that society defines it for you, we wanted to define our relationship, our union on our own terms. As we got older and started living and sharing our life together we realized that we were just happy being in the moment and our commitment was no different than if we were married. However, 11 years later, owning property together and getting older we realized that legally we benefited and secured ourselves by signing that marriage certificate. It’s not that we’re against it, we believe in the union of any two people however they define it and respect that. I do believe it’s a personal thing like so many things in life and we’re firm believers in following traditions only that make sense to us. Speaking of which, I will not be changing my last name. Most of our close friends and family know, but they might have forgotten. It’s just so personal to me, it’s a part of me and really don’t like where that tradition comes from. If I’m really being honest, don’t really understand why the tradition continues given where it comes from. Should we be blessed with children in the future, they will carry both our names, that makes more sense to us. I am blessed to be with a wonderful man that shares the same values and opinions on these matters, no wonder I married him, right?  :)

The Santa Barbara Courthouse where we wed is beautiful and while the weather did not cooperate, hello mist and gloominess! That night we enjoyed a Jack Johnson concert and spent the weekend just relaxing in the sleepy town of Santa Barbara, you can read more on that here. Our lovely friend Trude had offered the minute I told her about our plans that she needed to take our photos. Photos? But we’re just signing documents, we don’t need photos. The more I thought of it I realized that we didn’t have any nice professional photos of us and how can I be a photographer and not have that for myself? Thanks Trude for the gift of these wonderful photos and being there.

A big thank you to our friends and family that never questioned our commitment or viewed us in judgement for not having this marriage certificate all these years. Thank you for understanding us and for your support!

We dream of renewing our vows in some place magical with our closest friends and family in celebration in the near future, until then I leave you with our favorite photos from the day.

Isn’t this cool? Someone had created this all over the beach for us to enjoy.

Photos by the fabulous Trude of Ellingsen Photo. Editing by yours truly.

In short. Boy meets girl 11 years ago, boy in military and girl in college, we survive a long distance relationship across the country for almost 2 years, boy moves to California to be with girl, we buy a condo and start living, travel, then more travel along with lot’s of barbecues and cooking at home, we dream and follow, here we are now. This is our story and we are very happy.

I love this man and his love empowers me everyday.

We met each other as a boy and girl when we were just 19 and today we stand all grown up as a man and woman that have lived a life full of laughter, love, sadness, stress, travel, joy and all the madness that life brings! It’s funny how 11 years can really change someone because for sure you and I have changed since then and I am so grateful that we managed to grow together and create a life of our own unlike no one else. I’ve always loved our hippie tendencies! We just do what feels right for us and I would not change a thing.

Today I love you more than yesterday. You challenge me, support me and love me like I have never known and for that I could never thank you enough!

I absolutely adore every way that you love me. I enjoy feeling like the most beautiful woman when you tell me I’m pretty and clearly I look like a tornado swept through me. You always cater to me, not only when I’m sick or in need, but everyday. You worry about me and are protective of anything or anyone that wants to harm me, it used to drive me crazy, but I get it now. I am happy when you buy me the most perfect cd or little trinket that I wanted or didn’t know I wanted yet because you just know me that well. I love that we can say very little and just know how we feel or talk for hours and just find comfort that we have one another. Most of all I love our date nights at the movies and Barnes & Noble or spending quality time with you in our home. It’s the greatest gift.

The best is yet to come.

I’d also like to start a gratitude journal here, so here is the start of that as well. Sometimes it’s the little things and I want to document that so when I am having a bad day I have something to keep me grounded and remind me of how blessed I am.

Today I am reminding myself that sharing a home with your loved one can create so much more than a living space. We have created a cozy home full of harmony, love and peace in which we both embrace everyday. This makes me very happy.

We walked around for hours, 4 to be exact… window shopping, had lunch, watched the local artists perform, stopped at this cupcake shop and our last stop was Whole Foods. It was around dinner time so we decided to just grab a bunch of sides and soup to take home with us, their Greek orzo is the bomb diggity, seriously delicious. I had left Kris at the register while I left next door to the cupcake shop, you know, to save time and why wait in line at the register when I could be at the cupcake shop getting dessert? When Kris met me there he handed me this awesome lip balm (or crack stick as my friend Katie calls it because the more you use it, the more you need it) which is peach flavored, organic and has spf 15. He gave it to me with such excitement. You see, one of my favorite fruity smells is peach and it’s so rare to see this flavor in anything these days, especially lip balm.

It’s the little things. I don’t think I say this enough, but I truly love this man and I am so grateful and lucky to have him by my side. I’ve always been shy to show public feelings of affection or praising, partly because I was never around it growing up and have feared that if I flaunt it, it could hinder this love. These days I’m slowly getting over that, I just hope Kris is ready for it.