If I squint, I can remember life before I was married.
Back when I dreamed of walking down an aisle in a white dress to a tuxedo-wearing man, professing our love for each other and walking off into the sunset to the Hallelujah chorus.
I’ll be in love, I thought.
Ahhhh. Yes.
Love.
A lifetime of chocolate and flowers and rose petals and candles and dinners at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
But here’s the thing.
True love?
The kind of love that stands the test of time?
It shows up in the hard times, in the lean times, in the middle of a mountain that you are trying to climb. Love doesn’t roar. Love doesn’t boast. Love doesn’t overwhelm. Often love whispers instead of shouts.
And sometimes? When you least expect it?
It makes an ordinary moment burst into brilliance.
Several decades ago, I did walk down the aisle to a tuxedo-wearing cutie.
This guy.
The one with the twinkling eyes and a sense of humor that still makes me giggle.
I wore my grandmother’s wedding dress with a monogrammed train and a veil covering the highest head of Aqua Net hair you have ever seen with a red lipstick smile the size of Texas.
There were twinkly Christmas trees and a white runner and candles everywhere and the scent of evergreen filling the air.
We said our “I do’s” in front of 350 of our closest friends and relatives.
Just between us?
I don’t remember much after the “I do.”
The rest was a blur.
There was a reception with yummy food.
And laughter.
And general merry-making.
And toasts.
And a song that melted my heart.
And then we hopped in our streamer and can covered car and left for a beautiful, vintage hotel in downtown Dallas called The Melrose.
And when I woke up in the hotel in the morning, the phone rang. Reaching over, I grabbed the phone cradle attached to a cord and sleepily whispered, “Hello?”
There was a brief pause.
And then?
A voice on the end said the sweetest thing I have ever heard, “Good morning Mrs. Wood. This is your morning wake-up call.”
I sat up straight in bed. I couldn’t believe it. He said my name.
MRS. WOOD.
Yes.
That was ME. I was officially, wonderfully, incredibly, amazingly, Mrs. Wood.
Forever and ever.
Amen.
I’ve been Mrs. Wood now for more years than I can count.
As Mrs. Wood, I’ve had hard times.
As Mrs. Wood, I’ve climbed mountains.
As Mrs. Wood, I’ve cried and laughed and giggled and watched as the years and my children grew.
All this life that I’ve lived.
All these minutes and days and years and decades.
All as Mrs. Wood.
And so it was that when we celebrated our anniversary this year, my husband surprised me.
He took me back to the hotel we stayed at that first wedding night.
The Melrose.
And when I woke up in the morning, the phone rang again. I answered the call again on a cradle (still) attached to a cord and sleepily whispered, “Hello?”
There was a brief pause.
And then?
A voice on the end greeted me with, “Good morning Mrs. Wood. This is your morning wake-up call. Your husband told us to wish you Happy Anniversary.”
Love.
It’s funny like that.
It shows up in the hard times, in the lean times, in the middle of a mountain that you are trying to climb. Love doesn’t roar. Love doesn’t boast. Love doesn’t overwhelm. Often love whispers instead of shouts.
And sometimes? When you least expect it?
It makes an ordinary moment burst into brilliance.
I love you, Mr. Wood.
And I always will. 🙂
Aww I have tears in my eyes! So very sweet! Your family is so beautiful Karianne! Happy Anniversary!
Sooooo sweet! The photos are beautiful as is your precious family♥ Happy Anniversary!
Oh, my goodness! What a beautiful story. These stories of you and your dear family make my heart happy. Best Wishes for many years to come.
Wonderful story. Happy Anniversary Mrs Wood!!!
Happy anniversary!!
Mr. And Mrs. Wood, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!! KariAnne, your style of writing brings me to tears everytime I read your posts. (I have learned to be sure I don't have eye makeup on. LOL) Today's post is so very precious and demonstrates the deep love you two share. You are truly blessed. I have to ask, where did you learn to write so vividly? You could write the the phone book and bring me to tears! I just love it.
Love your story, thanks for sharing. My husband and I will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary tomorrow and I wanted to say, I have one of those quite, don’t show emotion type husbands, Never brings me flowers, or gifts that I haven’t asked for. That’s not to say he doesn’t get everything on my birthday and/or Christmas list( so I do have to be careful with what I put down). This year before Christmas there was an exceptional warm day and he took a ride on his Harley and when he got home said he had to take a little trip and be back in about an hour. When he returned home he had an old time wooden sled that I had been looking for a few years ago and he remembered I was wanting one to decorate with. Love my quiet man!!
I love your frequent statements of love and adoration! I have been married 51 years to my sweetheart...and I still adore him! Happy anniversary...cherish each moment...they go by so quickly.
The sweetest love story ever. 💕Happy Anniversary
AWWW... So sweet!
What a heartwarming story, it is truly the little thoughtful things in a marriage that are the most special. Happy anniversary
Ahhhhh....you just gave me chills. What a sweet story and the photos brightened my dreary, sunless Monday morning with a smile. Happy Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Wood!
How beautiful!
[…] KariAnne Wood […]
Lucky you two! Congratulations on your anniversary.
Thanks so much for sharing your 💗story!! So sweet!! Bless you both and your family.
Oh my goodness...what a beautiful story!
Happy Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Wood and thank you for sharing those precious moments and lovely family pictures.
Awww, so sweet!! Happy beautiful anniversary to you both!! Each day is such a gift. Cherish one another.❤ Great pictures to remember the occasion!
Happy Anniversary Karianne. My husband and I will celebrate 53 yrs this Feb. Got married in a snow storm which I guess is as lucky as rain. We too have had our ups and downs but it has all been worth it. Two beautiful daughters and 10 grandchildren. If we can still handle this pandemic and 24 - 7 hours of togetherness I guess it will last. Thankyou for your beautiful reminder that it is the little loving things that matter.
K~ Beautiful!!! Tugged my heartstrings 'til the floodgates opened! Thank goodness wearing not yet a drop of makeup! Remembering when i too had it all.. But that's another story for another time! "Tried..tripping across a soggy backyard in jammies and house shoes..Nikon in hand..perfect way to start a day filled with laughter..almost as good as your double strength caffeine fix yesterday! so enjoyable being high on life!"
Love this sweet sweet post. Your photos show all the love. I don’t always comment but I want you to know how much I just love your stories....and you!
Ahh, what a great story to begin my day with. Wishing you two many many or ordinary and extra ordinary days!
What a sweet message to read first thing on my computer today! You write so beautifully. You mentioned somethings that reminded me of my 40 beautiful years I had with my husband before I lost him to cancer. We have both been blessed with a beautiful marriage and you honored your sweet husband as he honored you.
I love reading your stories....A true pleasure......thanks for sharing...they always put a smile on my face and they warm my heart!
Lovely story! Congratulations on your happily ever after marriage!
OMG! You have such a way with words. Happy Anniversary!! Lovely pictures and a beautiful family. Congratulations!
I adore your new photos and the family shot is the best! Your smile and personality are contagious so no matter how long you live and if your hair goes gray you will be cherished, loved and full of vivaciousness. Happy anniversary friend. You both get more handsome by the year.
This is a sweet story. Thank you for sharing.?
Karianne, you have made my day! That was a beautiful rendition of love. As I look at the pictures of you and your family, I can see the love exchange. Wishing you a happy, blessed New Year, Sharon
I love this so much and what wonderful photos of you with your family. Happy Anniversary and many more!!!
Oh, the Melrose! I can't believe no one else mentioned it. I lived in Dallas for many years. I worked as the Accounting Manager at Coca Cola, right there on Lemmon Avenue, yep, right where they bottled the cokes in the window! The Melrose was the place that all our manager meetings were held each month. A real treat to go offsite for a meeting. The Melrose was so charming, even back then. The Oak Lawn area was so eclectic back in the day. Some of my favorite haunts were in the Oak Lawn/McKinney Avenue area. Gosh how Dallas has changed. It's good to know that you can still go back to the "honeymoon" memories! You should go every year or at least on milestone years!
Happy Anniversary to a beautiful couple and your children are just precious. Enjoy each other , time goes by way to fast. I was married for 44 years 4 months and 4 days when my husband walked out the door for work and our Lord took him home. Be kind to each other and say I love you often for we never know......
Happy anniversary kids! God bless you with many more healthy and happy years together!
Love this! Happy Anniversary!
Wishing you and your husband many, many, many more years of love and happiness and please, keep sharing all of your wonderful stories with us.
What an adorable couple and a beautiful family!
A beautiful Love story, Happiest Anniversary ! 🧡
What a wonderful story. Good men are hard to find - you obviously have one. Happy Anniversary.
Awl, KA - seriously. Mr. Wood is so awesome. . How truly romantic. ♥♥ What a great couple. Cheers to many more decades. Happy Anniversary!
You both look so happy. Congratulations Mrs. Wood! Wonderful family photos too!
You guys are so cute and real. My favorite picture is the smoochie one.
Tears here. So sweet. I'd love that, too. You two are such a great couple. Happy Anniversary! Love that gorgeous family.
Happy Anniversary to you both. What a beautiful love story and family you have. Your writing brought tears to my eyes. May you be blessed with many many more years together.♥️
Oh sweet KariAnne, how precious is this story that you shared with us. It's beautiful just like you. Here's to many more years together!
Such a sweet story and such a sweet family! You are truly blessed KARIANNE! 💕
Oh sweet girl your stories warm my heart. Thank you for sharing a story full of love that gives so many hearts hope. Adore you and Happy Anniversary! Thinking it was on December 18? Maybe not but I do know that is my birthday! Keep writing down memories! Best stories ever.
Awe-that is so sweet. Happy Anniversary. You are both so cute in the pictures.
Sweet, sweet!! Love it!! Happy anniversary and many more!!
Oh, my! You do know how to coax out the tears! Sooo sweet, KariAnne! Such a precious story of forever love. And those pictures are the best! May the Lord bless you two with many more years together. Just wait until you get to 55! 😉😍
Such a sweet story! Darling pictures. Happy Anniversary!
Congratulations, Mrs. Wood, on all of these years of marriage to a loving husband. You have a very sweet story. God bless!
Awww. Beautiful story and beautiful couple. Happy Anniversary and God's blessings for many, many more.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Wood!
What a beautiful story of love! Thank you for sharing with us, Mrs. Wood! ❤️ Happy Anniversary!
That is BEAUTIFIUL! Your story touches my heart and makes me smile . What a beautiful family, too. Happy Anniversary Mr and Mrs Wood😍
What a beautiful story. You are an amazing writer and every story you post alway captures the moment so perfectly. Thank you so much for sharing all these beautiful moments. Congratulations on your anniversary. I wish you many more wonderful years together.
Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Wood!! xoxo
Happy Anniversary, Mrs. Wood!! Thanks for making me smile with every word you pen! xoxo
I think I am going to embroider this quote on a pillow for our bed. Happy Anniversary Mr AND Mrs Wood !
Sweetest story EVER! True love just keeps growing and getting better and better until you think you will burst! Happy Anniversary!
Absolute sweetness! What a thoughtful man you are Mr. Wood! Blessing to you both on your anniversary!
You make an adorable couple and a beautiful family. So wonderful to see in our world today. You’re reaping the fruit of your faithfulness. Happy for you💕
Love this memory and Mr. Wood's thoughtfulness! We need to see a wedding photo! xo
♥️
What a sweet, wonderful story! Happy Anniversary! Cheers! Shelley
Beautiful rememories! Such a sweet, sweet story of true love! My true love and I have been married almost 45....really?.....years, four beautiful children, nine adorable grandchildren, and a real life full of all kinds of experiences we wouldn’t take anything for! Even the bad times....they have honed us, strengthened us, drew us closer to each other and to the Lord. We are more in love today than ever and will be more in love tomorrow! Your blog is a bright ray of sunshine and a heaping treasure chest of ideas! Thank you!
Beautiful story as always! I'm about to get my first daughter-in-law and I kept picturing her (and myself) during this story. ; ). KariAnne you look AMAZING by the way.
[…] – marbling • this healthy breakfast burrito that looks absolutely amazing • love is a phone with a cord • an elderflower cocktail recipe • because I need to cleanse all the negative energy + […]
This absolutely made me tear up! Possibly because I can relate so well. Beautiful words and well-written. The emotion shines through. 💜💜💜
Happy Anniversary and thank you for sharing your family. I am honored to have watched them grow!
Aww I have tears in my eyes! So very sweet! Your family is so beautiful Karianne! Happy Anniversary!
Happy, Happy Anniversary!!! and many more!!!