Mike and I got married thirteen years ago today! Two oh-so-young college students, right before digital cameras hit the market. We got married, finished college, moved to Scotland for grad school, and had a baby. I quit working after working up to five different jobs at a time for years. We moved to England for a few months, and finished grad school. Then we moved to Massachusetts, and Mike started his first job. We had another baby. I felt like getting creative, so I started this blog, then (almost immediately) got pregnant with baby #3. We remodeled our house, had another baby, the kids loved school, everything felt settled. I sewed, learned how to crochet, the kids played, I played with the kids. I found the perfect play dough recipe. We all enjoyed our yard. We learned together. Mike drew hundreds of pictures for the kids, took them geocaching, and told them hundreds of stories. We could have lived there forever, in our beautiful little house with a stunning yard. Mike liked his job, but he felt like something was missing. When he was offered the job he dreamed of as a kid, we sold our house, and moved back to California where we met!
It has been fun this past almost-year to revisit a lot of our favorite local haunts. Several things have changed, and it’s a little odd to be back on Stanford’s campus without being a young student. Of course, everything is different with four kids in tow! I love seeing their reactions to bits and pieces they see of our old life, and learning to see this world through their eyes. Mike loves his job, and we have figured out how to turn our condo into a family-friendly living space. Our life has circled back to where we started, and I look forward to seeing our future unfold.
Happy anniversary, Mike! Here’s to a lifetime of learning, living, dreaming, creating, and discovering together! I love you!
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.
Thanks for sharing your life with us! Happy anniversary!
Such a beautiful bride!!! Sound like you have done A LOT in the last thirteen years! And here you are right back where you began :)
Happy Anniversary! I’ve been thinking about you quite a bit this month as my oldest wants to apply to Stanford for college next year.
It’s so fun that you are back where you started in a way. We love to take our kids to the campus where we met too and share stores. Hope you both enjoyed your special day!
Congratulations on your 13 years! I loved reading your synopsis of the last 13 years… glad you are all liking the Stanford life.. keep in touch. Love Naomi
Congratulations! Beautiful photos, both of them :)
Happy Anniversary to you both! What a blessed life!
Happy anniversary! My friend’s son always recalls stories that she’s told him as, “Mama, when I was in college…” It kills me!
Happy anniversary, what a beautiful tribute to Mike and your marriage.
Happy anniversary!
That’s awesome! Love your photos and your whirlwind summary of 13 terrific years! Happy Anniversary!!!
Happy Anniversary! Congrats on 13 years!
Aww!
Happy Anniversary!
What an incredible and inspiring journey. Happy anniversary!
congrats! Happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!!
You’ve packed a lot into those thirteen years, and don’t look any the worse for wear :) Happy anniversary!
Congrats, MaryAnne :) And what a special way to commemorate by visiting your old stomping grounds. Here’s to many more years!
Happy anniversary! Any fun plans for celebrating?
Happy anniversary!!