A Traditional One Year Anniversary Gift & Our Love Story

My husband and I got to celebrate our first year of marriage this week and I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by.  It might be because we have a 3 year old and a 1 one year old that keep us busy, but none the less, it has been quite the year.  I wanted to give Michael a traditional one year anniversary gift, but had no idea what I could do with paper.  I finally found the perfect gift and I can't wait to share it with you.

First, I want to share the story our little love story.  We met 5 years ago this month and if you had told me then that I would be married to him and have two beautiful girls, I wouldn't have believed you.  I love when I get the opportunity to tell people how we met.  It's not this big drawn out, romantic love story, but it's OUR story and it makes me so happy to share it with others.

He and I met on Eharmony.  I decided to join when I realized that I didn't know how to date as an adult.  I know that might sound silly, but I had just moved to a new state and didn't know very many people.  I had gone on a few dates, but nothing came of them and it was honestly exhausting.  I had been on the dating site for about a year when I made the decision to just give it a break. 

One of our first dates at a hockey game

I was working for a college at the time of all of this and I enjoyed showing everyone the matches I was being paired up with.  I had actually logged into my account to cancel it, when I received Michael as a match and a message from him.  I thought he was cute and sounded like a lot of fun.  I was encouraged to go out with him and I kept an open mind, but told myself this would be my last Eharmony date.  Little did I know that it actually would be my very last Eharmony date.

We decided to meet at Starbucks for coffee, which was perfect because I have a big love for coffee.  Oddly enough though, I think I ordered a green tea.  Turns out that he chose that place so he didn't have to pay for an actual meal if things didn't work out.  It was funny when I found this out and honestly, pretty smart on his part.  He ended up being an hour late, but I waited patiently (in my car to scope him out when he arrived).  He showed up in ripped jeans, sandals and shorter than he stated in his profile, which I made sure to call him out on several minutes into our date.

 We sat outside and talked and before I knew it, 3 hours had passed by and I was rushing home to complete an assignment that was due at midnight.  We had the best time and I couldn't wait to see him again....which was two days later and this time he paid for dinner :)

Our love story is one where it truly was God's perfect timing.  I say this because Michael had just recently joined Eharmony.  If I had canceled my account just a day before, I might not have met him.  I am so glad that I decided to go on that "last" first date.

Since, it is our first wedding anniversary, I wanted to gift him something special.  Something that represented both of us and the place where it all began.  We are both from different states originally and both ended up in Florida.  We both have different reasons why we moved and those reasons ultimately led us to each other.  I wanted a gift that we would be able to cherish forever and never forget where it all started.

Jackies Attique c/o

This personalized heart map art from Jackie's Attique was perfect!  I was able to customize this to show where we are both from and where we met/married.  This would be great to use for met/engaged/married and Jackie has so many other options that are wonderful!  My husband loved it and I loved watching him open it.  It looks amazing on our gallery wall in our dining room and I love that we will have this forever to remember so many special moments.

Use Code  'thelittlestfunk25' for 25% off

How did you meet your significant other?  What's the best anniversary gift you have received or given?