We have a strong appreciation for anniversary sessions here at UBB, because we know that marriage is work and that seasoned couples have something unique to offer those just embarking on this journey. The blog is about the love celebrated between two people, seasoned marriage vets included! LeeAnn + John retreated to our local mountains with Kyle Loves Tori Photography to document + celebrate their 10 year anniversary and they also graciously offered us some valuable advice + insight!
John and I met when I was 11 he was 16. His dad was the Pastor of a small church my mom and I started
attending in our home town of St. George. His younger sister and I became friends right away and are
still great friends. I was always at their house, and John was like an older brother in every sense –
especially in the teasing department. He left for college when I was 14 and we didn’t spend very much
time together for the next few years.
When I was a junior in College, we met up again while we were both home over Christmas break. He had
graduated, just finished an internship, and was taking a job in Springville. I definitely had a little lingering
crush on him from before, but I had a feeling he still saw me as a little sister. However, things were
different this time and to my surprise and excitement, he asked me out. We started dating over the
break and very quickly realized that we were in love. We were engaged by the summer and married the
following spring- March 31, 2007. We have had 3 beautiful children, ages 8, 5, and 3.
Being a family has been wonderful, but it hasn’t always been easy. There are a few reasons why we
were so excited to do this Vow Renewal shoot. Obviously, it’s always
nice to get dressed up and have your picture taken- especially in such a lovely place like Utah. This year
was also our 10 year anniversary. But the most sentimental reason for me was to examine the vows we
exchanged 10 years ago and see what they mean now.
When we said our vows the first time, we truly meant them. What we didn’t understand was what a
vow truly meant as real life played out. In just ten years, we already feel like we have spent a lifetime
together- figuring each other out, helping or hurting each other, dragging the other along, and also
building each other up. We even hit a really hard patch, and our vows were put to the test.
What we realized is that a vow to another person doesn’t hinge on circumstances. It doesn’t hinge on a
job, or health, or money, and it doesn’t depend on one person. Its two people who choose to do life
together. We both came into our marriage with problems, baggage, and issues. And we’ve both made a
lot of mistakes along the way. In these ten years, our love and commitment to each other has grown
and evolved in ways I didn’t think possible. I had heard elderly people say they love their spouse more
now than the day they got married- and honestly the younger me didn’t understand that. I get it now.
Realizing that you still love each other, still choose each other, and have committed to each other- even
after learning the faults, and the ugly, and the issues – is the most beautiful thing about a vow. John is
my best friend and my favorite person, and I will always choose him.
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