Dress: Gianni Bini | Heels: Steve Madden | Handbag: YSL (similar) | Watch: Kate Spade (similar)
This LBD is the perfect closet staple for date night or special occasion. In my case, for my thirteenth wedding anniversary dinner.
Dress: Gianni Bini | Heels: Steve Madden | Handbag: YSL (similar) | Watch: Kate Spade (similar)
This dress adds a fun twist to a classic LBD with the one shoulder silhouette and tiered ruffles. It has a side zipper and is very fitted through the bodice while having great movement in the skirt. It’s also available in white and I’m wearing my usual size xs. Keep in mind that I’m 5’2″ and this dress hit just below the knee on me. These heels are perfect for summer. I love the simplicity and neutral color of them. They run tts and are also available in black.
I wore this outfit on Saturday night when Caleb and I went out for a dinner date to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. Today is our actual anniversary and it’s hard to believe we’ve been married for 13 years! How am I even old enough to be married that long?! We were both so young when we got married. We often joke about how we ended up together and how crazy my dad was for letting us get married so young.
We’ve grown, learned, and experience so much together during these past 13 years. We’ve lived paycheck to paycheck. We started a business together, going through the stresses and successes together. We’ve traveled a lot and look forward to doing that more! We’ve moved a few times and built one house together. We’ve been blessed with four amazing kids who make us want to be the best parents ever. We’ve had some of the best times together and we’ve had our fair share of hard times and struggles, too.
When we sat down to dinner on Saturday night, our waiter was wishing us a happy anniversary and asked us how many years we were celebrating. He was surprised when we told him ‘thirteen’ and then semi-jokingly asked if it was an ‘arranged marriage.’ He said most couples he waits on say it’s their second or third anniversary.
On Friday, as I was sitting next to two women (both strangers to me) who were seeing each other for the first time in several years, I overheard one casually telling the other about how she and her husband just “grew apart.” That he was gone all the time for work and when he was home, he was “in her way.” She said that he never engaged with their (young) kids and she just didn’t really like him any more. I know I don’t know their whole story and am not here to judge, but it made me sad to hear how nonchalantly she seemed to disregard her husband, marriage, and family.
Marriage isn’t always easy or fun and it requires a lot from both sides. It’s choosing each other over and over again. It’s forgiving and becoming better because of the trails. It’s team work. It’s about humility and honesty. It’s respecting each other and so much more. You are each constantly changing, growing, and learning. Add a baby (or four) into the mix and it can feel like you’re literally juggling life. You really do have to work hard for your marriage, together. If you feel like you’re the only one fighting for it, stay strong and pray for your spouse. Prayer is so powerful! Caleb and I have experienced some amazing things through prayer.
Throughout these past 13 years, I’ve learned over and over again, that without God at the center of our marriage, we would not have made it this far. Even if we did, no doubt it would have been much, much harder. I know I have failed and I’m so very thankful for a husband who loves me despite my failures, who forgives, and who fights for me, our marriage, and our family. In the hardest of times, whether as newlyweds or ten years in, I have seen God save us by his grace and mercy. I have learned to trust God more and to love my husband better. I know that my marriage and my family are worth it all.
A scripture passage that I love and is a great reminder for marriage is from 1st Corinthians 13.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
As a side note, I know that some marriages don’t last despite the best intentions and efforts. Caleb and I both have a number of friends who are divorced for various reasons and we love them all just the same. I know some marriages are flat out dangerous. I just wanted to share that my marriage hasn’t been perfect, but hopefully it can encourage you to seek God for you and your spouse during the hard times.
Have a great Monday and thanks for reading!
~ Amy