Just throwing this out there…
I’m not a selfie taker, typically.
I’ve got nothing against those of you who can magically hold out your iPhone and, almost instantaneously, snap the most perfect, flattering, photo of your gorgeous face and hair and then post it to facebook for all the world to see.
I’m just not that person, usually, but it’s all good.
I can appreciate your gifts.
Anyway. 😉
So we went out on a date to celebrate our 11th anniversary on Sunday night. (A day late…BOO on migraines. Yay for babysitters who can do a last-minute switch on nights.) 😉
As most of our anniversary dates tend to be, this one didn’t turn out quite like we envisioned. (If I told you some of the unique ways we’ve spent our anniversary…let’s just say it would be an entertaining series of blog posts. ;))
However, that’s ok…we’re learning to embrace the surprises that come along.
So we started our big night out at Costco.
Yes, we did.
We got ice cream and then walked around and bought some cleaning supplies that we needed because, let’s face it, the key to a happy marriage is making sure the bathrooms are clean, right? 😉
Then we made our way over to a restaurant we’ve driven by a hundred times. And every time we’ve driven by, I’ve said, We need to go there for dinner sometime.
So we did.
It was this little Mexican place, El Molino, and while it’s not in my top ten, the green salsa was pretty awesome, as were the enchiladas. I’d go back. 
The service was super fast, and after dinner, we were faced with almost two hours before we told the babysitter we’d be home.
What to do, what to do?
Hmmmm…remember that time three years ago when we had a four week-old and were looking for a place to live and we saw a bunch of houses, some that were in slightly sketchy areas of town? Let’s go find them!
Guys, we totally did.
Pulled the GPS up on the phone and drove all over town. (Technically, all over two towns.)
We managed to find the first house we looked at, and the sight of that one only made me breathe thanks over and over that God had other plans for us.
We think we found another one (but the new owners had painted it rusty-icky-brown…really?!), and we’d liked this one a lot, but it didn’t work out. That’s more than ok…we love where we are.
And after that we were kind of over the whole, let’s-go-find-the-houses-we-didn’t-end-up-renting, thing. (Especially because I felt like a total creeper… ;))
So we went to Dunkin’ Donuts. We wanted coffee because we just did.
Or, maybe I did.
That’s because I’m breathing. 😉
Our mistake was that we went INTO the store instead of just doing drive-thru. So, of course, we walked out with donuts, which we totally needed after ice cream and too many chips-and-salsa-plus-dinner.
It is a good thing we went in, though, because it gave us the perfect opportunity to document our adventure-filled, so-not-predictable, anniversary date With. A. Selfie.
Complete with a very-slight, sneak peek of my, in-my-husband’s-words, psychodelic vest.
The same vest he went practically-to-the-moon-and-back to get for me. (Thinking that might be another post in itself, though…come back next week? Trust me, it’s worth it. ;))
In all of this, selfie-pic-taking-included, I smiled.
We haven’t had an easy road. This marriage thing has been a lot of things…and easy hasn’t been one of them.
But the smiles in this selfie? They’re real.
For all of the hard moments, the days when we wondered whether we should even keep doing this anymore…this year.
This moment.
I’m thankful.
We know it’s worth it and that it always will be.
I love this guy, I do.
I’m so blessed to walk this thing called life with him by my side.
And I could gush and gush here, but I hope the smiles say it all instead.
Here’s to selfies that document what words often can’t.
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On Tuesdays, I link up at my friend, Crystal’s place, for Behind the Scenes.
Social media and online relationships can make us feel like everyone else has it all together. We’re edited, proof-read, Pinterest-perfect versions of ourselves (or so some might think!) when – in reality? There is an unfinished pile of laundry around the corner. That cute toddler smiling for the camera just had a massive meltdown seconds ago. That yummy breakfast-for-dinner you just showed us on Instagram? It’s because the cat licked the chicken that was supposed to be for dinner.
“Behind the Scenes” is a fun link up where we show those photos – but tell the real story behind them. The sneak peek behind the scenes, a look past the edges of the photo to the real life behind it.
Take some time and stop by for some of my favorite reads of the week written by my sweet, blogging sisters. They’ll make you laugh, cry, and remind you of how good life is and how fun the stories can be behind the camera lens.
Thanks for stopping by today, friends!
I think we’re going to need to hear about this vest… 😉 Glad you had a good time celebrating!
Definitely next week…already writing it in my head! 😉 Thanks, friend…blessings!
I love your take on selfies. Seriously..how do those people get their hair blowing just right AND manage to show a dimple with every smile?! My daughter rocks at them. I just look scared.
What a wonderful night full of sweet fun. Sometimes the plainest fun can be just that…plain fun!
And yes, we have to hear about the vest and see more of it!
Have a blessed Tuesday!
No kidding…it’s an art I have definitely not mastered. I think I may just leave it to them, though! 😉 Thank you for your sweet words, friend…and the vest. Next week.
Blessings and hugs!
Dear sweet Mel
I never, ever try a selfie!! But you to look great; what a handsome man you have! Icecream and doughnuts sounds like a gourmet meal for my sweet tooth. Yummy!
Hugs XX
Mia
You are so sweet, friend…thank you. Yep…that meal was pretty good. (I worked out twice yesterday to pay for it, too! ;)) Hugs back…have a great week!
I just love how adorable the 2 of you are!!
Happy Anniversary!
Thanks, friend! Have a great week!
I love this. And I love how you kept us real Mel. Marriage is hard work, a job you have to go to every. single. day. Thanks for helping us see behind the scenes today.
Thank you for your sweet words, friend…it is hard. I’m glad that, in this community, we can be real with life. It makes it that much sweeter. Hugs and happy Tuesday to you!
Love- Love – Love ! I’m not a selfie picture taker either. =)
Thanks!
Yep…I just don’t have the gift. (At least we have cool nose rings…those are better than the ability to take selfies, anyway.) 😉
In glad you got to celebrate your anniversary.
I’m not much of a selfie picture taker either. In fact, the word “selfie” makes me cringe. But sometimes the moment just calls for such a picture. And you did a good job!
Thanks…yeah, it’s one of those words that is just now starting to grow on me. 😉 Happy week to you, friend!
We often have date nights that include an exclusive “members only” club (Sam’s, as we don’t have a Costco yet) !
We’re newbies to Costco…gotta admit it was pretty fun.
Thanks for stopping by, Kathy! Blessings!
Happy Anniversary! Big truth: Marriage is not easy. It takes a lot of work and commitment to get through those not-so-good times, but the blessings are innumerable. I am reminded of scripture sometimes when I am beyond frustrated. It goes something like this. When you have done all you can do, just stand. I take this to mean that in marriage, sometimes you have to just stand – next to your partner (especially when you don’t want to) and wait. God brings healing -in many ways.
Love the vest!
There have been so many times when we’ve just had to let go of a situation and put it in His hands. It’s pretty incredible to watch Him work when we’ll just get out of the way and let Him do His thing.
Thanks…can’t wait to tell you all about it next week! 😉 Blessing and hugs, sweet friend.
Ha! You are so funny. Love it. Anniversary at Costco. What could be better? Really now.
We make our own adventures, I guess!
Blessings, friend.
I really don’t like selfies either! I tried to take one for a post (looking surprised) for our announcement we made a couple weeks ago. After 20 pictures of myself and not liking any of them…I convinced Stella to be in the picture looking surprised instead! Ha! Oh the things us bloggers do! You, my friend, look super cute though in your selfie!!
Congrats on 11 years! We will celebrate 7 in October, and they have been filled with both hard and wonderful times…and I wouldn’t change a thing!! I love how just driving around and just being together can be the perfect night! Blessings to you friend!!
Thank you, friend! So true that just being together was perfect…we smiled the whole night.
Blessings and happy week to you…hope it’s wonderful! 
Love
Your beautiful insides spill out all over when you write and it makes me smile always…and cry sometimes too, but in the best way 😉 Thankful for you sweet friend!! Much love to you this week!!
You are so sweet, friend…I’m so thankful for you, too, and how God is using you in my life! Blessings and hugs today.
Happy anniversary! We just celebrated 17 years of marriage here, and yes, we took a selfie. I don’t have the knack for them, clearly. Can’t wait to hear about the vest!
Thanks, friend! Happy anniversary to you, too! And yep…the vest will be next week. I have to write about it now! 😉 Blessings on your week…I hope it’s wonderful!
I can see you have your colorful vest on
I LOVE it ! Happy Anniversary Mel my friend!
Thanks, girl!
Yep…you are one of the FEW who has actually seen that vest in person. 😉 Hope you’re doing well…we need to catch up soon. Love you! 
Happy Anniversary! Your date sounds awesome. We don’t have a Costco close by, but Sam’s Club is definitely a date night for us. I know… we walk on the wild side.
I love your selfie. It’ s adorable!
Thanks, friend! And I love that you guys go to Sam’s Club on your date nights! That made me smile…yep, definitely a little wild. (Or, at least, unique. ;)) Blessings…hope you’re having a beautiful week!
awww Happy Anniversary and Btw I think your selfie picture is adorable!!
Thanks, Jenn!
Blessings.
Weirdest anniversary ever, but it suits you. 😉
😉 We try…and believe it or not, I’m pretty sure there have been weirder.
What a great photo of happiness!
I’m glad you had a fun evening together…pausing to celebrate your journey, your love! 
Aw, thanks, friend! It was a fun night…even if it was borderline odd. But I guess so are we, so it’s all good, right?! 😉
We totally went to Costco on our anniversary too! Lol. And if you’re going to Dunkin Donuts, you should absolutely get donuts! Thank you for sharing,Mel. I live it!
I love that you appreciate the value of a Costco visit on your anniversary, too! 😉 And the donut…SO good. (Just made my stomach feel a little too full!) Blessings, friend.
I, for one, would be keen to read about all the unexpected turns for all the other anniversaries. I do hope that you will recount those tales for us! Happy Anniversary. What a lovely photo. Wishing you both many happy years together.
Thank you for those sweet wishes, friend…and maybe I will. It might be fun to think back through the years and how we celebrated. (Or didn’t.) 😉
Happy anniversary! There’s so much joy and love coming through that picture you two just light up the page.
Oh, friend…that’s about the sweetest thing. Thank you!
Blessings and happy week to you!
Yay
Happy anniversary 
I love this, friend 
Love love love it. Our dates usually look like this, too. Can’t wait to hear about that vest, too! (And I just realized I never know when you reply to my comments….. will have to go back and look!)
Oh, the vest is a good one…at least I think so. 😉 I can’t wait to write about it and show y’all the awesomeness that I’m talkin’ about!
Happy anniversary to the two of you, too…August weddings rock. Love ya, friend!
The smiles are brilliant. Congratulations on your anniversary and may you be blessed with many more.
Thank you so much, sweet friend!
What a beautiful couple! Blessings to you!!
Thank you, Ashley! Blessings to you, too!