Friday, August 20, 2010

My Happiest Day


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Today Joel and I are celebrating our thirteenth wedding anniversary! I love this day because I'm always flooded with memories of the day we were married; it was my very favorite day. Ever. If I could choose one day out of my life to live over again, it would definitely be August 20, 1997 because everything about that day was perfect.

Joel has a remarkable ability to give really thoughtful gifts, and he has given me some incredible ones over the years. My absolute favorite though is the drawing pictured above of the temple where we were married. He spent about three months secretly working on this while we were engaged, while we were both going to school full time, while we were both working, and while we were both trying to spend every spare second of extra time we had together. I have no idea where he found the time to complete it.

When he surprised me with the framed drawing a few days before our wedding, I was speechless. I'm embarrassed to say what I gave him because it was so lame in comparison. So I won't. I have tried, but never been successful at achieving his level of thoughtfulness or secrecy when giving him gifts.

I was so sure I had thought of the perfect gift to give him though this year. My excitement got the best of me on Sunday and I asked Joel if I could give him his gift early (I am no good at keeping a secret very long). He was a bit confused when I handed him an envelope, but when he pulled out the card inside emblazoned with the Apple logo on the front, his eyes immediately lit up.

He's been patiently waiting for our wireless phone contract to expire so that he can FINALLY get an iphone. I wanted to give him the real phone, but had to settle for an iphone gift card after securing the real thing proved more difficult than I thought. It's unfortunate that it required so much effort on his part this week to order his phone. But, barring no further issues, he will soon happily join the throng of iphone aficionados.

Joel doesn't spend much time anymore creating pieces of fine art, but his drawing skills are clearly evident in his fabric designs. Most of his designs are created first as sketches that he then refines on the computer. His Sparrow, Columbine, Damasks, Orchid, Antler Damask, Floral Drop, Sunflower, Handpicked Daisies, Majestic Oak, and Dogwood Bloom all began as large, hand-drawn designs that he then scannned into the computer. All of his other designs are a hybrid of sketching, photography and graphic design. It's a fascinating process to watch.

In fact, I'm currently watching the process unfold again as he works on a new collection, and I can't wait to see the final product. And, like I do each time Joel creates anything, I'm sure I will fall in love with his art and with him all over again.

Happy Anniversary to us!


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23 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Congratulations and happy anniversary!! :)

Just JaiCi's Crafts said...

your husband DREW that?!?!?!?! My goodness your husband is talented!
I have always loved the Salt Lake temple... I always thought I'd be married there...but you know how life changes your plans!
Hope you have the best anniversary in the history of anniversaries!!!

momto2wasd said...

Happy anniversary! I can see why that is your favorite present!!

Karen said...

Congratulations to you both, on this, your 13th wedding anniversary! Thank you for sharing this beautiful drawing of the temple. It is simply stunning.

Hugs, Karen

Cory said...

Happy Anniversary! This day thirteen years ago was a very happy day for me as well. My youngest and only son was born that day. I hope you had a wonderful day together. Take care and God bless, Cory

Rachaeldaisy said...

Happy Anniversary. The drawing is beautiful and the story behind it is so touching.

Trisha said...

Happy Anniversary! I had a feeling as I have read your blog that you were LDS. What a beautiful drawing of the Salt Lake Temple. How wonderful that he drew that for you. Very cool! My husband and I just celebrated 14 years on the 16th of August. We were married in the L.A. Temple.

Rafael's Mum said...

It is beautiful and what a treasured possession! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to you both!

sophia said...

Happy Anniversary.....Its a wonderful way of spending the time....

Barb said...

Happy Anniversary to you both! I just love the creativity and passion you both have!

Juli said...

I have been a fan of your fabric, and now I find out that you have a blog AND you're LDS!! You are both amazing!! Such talent! Thanks for sharing your awesome talents with us! I will definitely be following this blog! :)

Anonymous said...

excellent points and the details are more specific than elsewhere, thanks.

- Thomas

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