On my 21st birthday, I met the man that I would marry.  He was a “Firstie” at the Naval Academy, and I was a senior in college.  It sounds like the start of a storybook tale, and that day really was one.  Our wedding day was  another day that dreams are made of, and today is our anniversary.

After all of these years of blogging, I have something to share that I have never posted here before – and that is a glimpse of our wedding day.  Randy and I got married at the United States Naval Academy Chapel, in the year of the Academy’s 150th anniversary.  I pulled out some pictures from our hope chest, and scanned them to share with you – I’m sorry the photo quality isn’t great.  A friend and I were recently commenting on how different wedding photography is today – I would have loved today’s photo-journal style of photography back on our big day.  I had no idea then where I would be 18 years later, but I find it interesting to see that I chose rhinestones for my wedding jewelry then.  I guess things haven’t changed after all these years; I still love a dose of sparkle!

The first line of “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”  – from the Navy Hymn is inscribed above the stained glass.

Tiffany stained glass windows above the altar.

The traditional “tap” with the sword and a “Welcome to the Navy!”

My husband in choker whites, an arch of swords, a drizzle of rain for good luck, and my family and friends all around – who could ask for more?  We filled the day with many traditions.  One Navy tradition is cutting the cake together with the sword – to this day, my boys are fascinated that my husband actually has a sword.  My 4 year old son has told strangers (as recently as this weekend), “My Dad has a Navy sword!”.  A favorite memory is how our best man saved a piece of wedding cake for us to enjoy back in our honeymoon suite, when the excitement of the day had died down and we could actually sit down and savor a bite. Wasn’t he thoughtful?  I’m flooded with great memories when I think back on this day.

Thank you for joining me as I remember my red letter day.  I have been blessed.

Cindy, xoxo