5 Years

When: Saturday, July 23 // Weather: really hot // Real life: where do I begin? …

Saturday was our 5th wedding anniversary. I know what you’re thinking: I must have been a child bride, right? You’re too sweet. And yes.

Two weeks ago we were sitting on our front stoop, drinking wine. It was a beautiful summer day. Apparently the wine was a little strong because we decided we should invite all our friends over for lawn games and a cookout to celebrate our milestone. In unpredictable Indiana July fashion, it ended up being 90+ degrees and humid. But our friends, being the awesome people that they are (we have great taste), still showed up to sweat, play, eat, laugh, dance, and sweat some more with us.

The party prep took a little work, but it was totally worth it because it all turned out awesome.

Look at those blurry people listening to awesome music and soaking up each other’s awesomeness!

Earrings (on sale)

Wanna hear something disgustingly cheesy? Five years of marriage and she still makes me smile like this. THERE I SAID IT. GAG. Now let’s move on.

Shorts (on sale)

My outfit choice was strategic. Remember that part about the 90+ degrees? Yeah. Shorts. Sandals. Sleeveless. Still sweaty.

Shoes (on sale)

We don’t really have an outdoor living space (yet), or even a grill, but we got a fire pit and stuck to hotdogs (notdogs for me) since those aren’t messy. If it’s not the bare minimum, then it’s just not our style.

Building a deck and buying a real grill might be cool and useful, but adding Traders Joe’s flowers and a bright tablecloth to a super simple hotdog “bar” is cheaper, easier, and cuter, so obviously that’s my priority.

One of the best things about this party was we got to invite some the amazing people that we didn’t even know five years ago – like these 2 love birds, who accidentally matched each other. They are so lucky they met us.

…and Nicole, who just beat her husband at cornhole and is doing her “C is for Champion” pose. By the way, her dress has newspaper articles about cats all over it. I can’t even handle it.

As a nod to the occasion, I contacted our old caterers and ordered the same cupcakes we had at our wedding – raspberry swirl and chocolate with peanut butter chips. I may or may not have had one of the leftovers for breakfast on Monday. And another just now. Whatever, anniversary calories don’t count.

Another big hit: this gin punch that I invented myself. I think it went something like this:

 

• ~several chunks of watermelon and mint leaves, muddled
• ~2 cups gin
• ~4 cups watermelon juice
• ~2 cups grapefruit juice
• ~juice of 1 lemon
• ~1 can La Croix grapefruit

Then I set up a “DIY” garnish station with lemon slices, mint leaves, and watermelon chunks. *Pats self on back and has another glass.*

I don’t French braid my hair very often, but I had a little braid detail in my hair on my wedding day, and I wanted something to keep my hair off my face in the heat. Turns out all that practice on my American Girl doll stuck with me because it looked pretty cute and didn’t fall out. (Thanks, Felicity.)

The party ended late, with a bunch of us sitting in the basement sampling about 7 varieties of potato chips (we both went out and got chips…don’t even get me started on that) and talking about I don’t even remember what. Probably potato chips. All in all, I’d call it a success. Thanks to all my friends who stopped by…see you all for our 10th, and not a moment before!

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