Seeing as this was our first anniversary, I wanted to do something special. But we're not millionaires, so I looked to Pinterest for inspiration on how to make this day as special, if not more so, than our actual wedding day.
Let's be honest - we all know I went over the top. Because that's just kind of what I do! I thought it would be fun to start the traditional anniversary gifts. Thank heavens year one was paper! I don't know what I would have done if it was the diamond anniversary!
Anyway, I found my pinspiration, and proceeded to craft away! We've been staying with family the past few months to save some extra bucks. The town we grew up in, where just about all of Mr.'s family lives is not an inexpensive area!! Seeing as he wants to settle down here, we figured it was best to save up the money rather than rent so we can get that much closer to purchasing a home. Back to the story -- I wanted to have an amazing romantic and fun anniversary, but couldn't quite figure out how to work that out . . . seeing as we live with family. So I ended up renting a hotel room down the street to create the magical vision I had for our anniversary.
Step 1) Ambiance.
I gathered together some white Christmas lights to create romance without candles. Plus, what's prettier than a bunch of twinkling lights?!
Step 2) Set Up.
So I wanted to do the cute little Balloon-Picture thing that's all over Pinterest. I bought 12 balloons in our wedding colors and gathered 12 - 24 pictures of us over the past year and floated them over the bed. I also got us each a "love journal," that I placed on the pillows. Now before you get creeped, they're books I bought at Border's that give you ideas on how to journal about why you love your spouse, how you met, fun memories, etc. Of course I got fancy sodas and a bottle of sparkling Martinelli's and put it in an ice bucket with some "classy" plastic champagne flutes. I brought over our record player and some romantic records and a few items of wedding paraphernalia for memories, and last but not least, some nice chocolates and the top layer of our wedding cake for us to enjoy later.Step 3) Surprise.
I didn't want him to know about ANY of my plans . . . so I was super sneaky and pulled it off as though I didn't really do, get, or make anything for our special day. I woke him up with a box of doughnuts and said something along the lines of, "I'm sorry I couldn't really do anything special for us today. I know you hate breakfast, but love doughnuts . . . so I got you these so we can have breakfast-in-bed." The sweetheart he is thought I was adorable and said he didn't need anything else and this was perfect. Meanwhile on the inside I'm squealing with excitement thinking I've fooled him. I then excused myself because my mom "needed my help" and told him I had one other small thing for us, the time I would be home, and just to be in whatever is comfortable. I left to set up . . . having sneakily already packed a bag of his clothes and toiletries. Upon my return I convinced him to put on a blindfold as I drove to our destination and walked him through the halls of the hotel -- all the while he kept guessing and freaking out about what was going on (especially in the elevator). When we got to the room I walked him in and told him it was ok to take of the blindfold, he was speechless. I haven't seen the man cry since our wedding day. He was so touched by everything, making all the effort worthwhile.
We had a super fun rest of our afternoon and got ready together at the hotel for our traditional anniversary dinner (from when we were dating) at The Melting Pot. And I got to surprise him one last time with my final first anniversary gift to him -- a 52 Reasons Why I Love You deck of cards book.
Needless to say, it was a great first anniversary.
