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Thursday, September 25, 2014

It Has Been One Year ..

Hello my dear friends,

I can't believe it but it is already one year since my daughter Ashleigh got married to the love of her life.


Two days ago they celebrated their first wedding anniversary and I wanted to gift them with something special. I think, I have always known that one day I would create this gift and finally that day had come.

Just after the wedding I had ...


... dried and pressed some of the flowers that were the centerpieces on their wedding day.

They had been waiting in my heavy books for a year now, for the day to come and ...


... for me to them bloom once again.

I created my gifts and wrapped them nicely ...


... and made a lovely tag to go with them ...


... all simple ...


... but very pretty.

And this is what they found under the wrapping ~ I called it ...

'Remembering Your Special Day'




I had saved a piece of the ribbon that was used with their wedding favors and it was perfect.





My daughter and son-in-law loved the gifts I created for them and I was beyond happy that they did.

And now this is where tears came into this lovely day ...

... one her first wedding anniversary my daughter Ashleigh wrote her Dad and I a letter. It was so sweet and thoughtful and touched my heart so much..( you might need tissues ~ I did!)

 I end this post today, wishing you a day filled with love and gratitude my dear friends and many hugs.

This is what the letter read ...


 Dear Mama and Dad,

Today is mine and Ryan's first year wedding anniversary! I am so happy to have found someone I love as much as I love Ryan, and I am so lucky and grateful that he is the person I get to spend the rest of my life with. Today is not only a celebration of our marriage and our love for one another, but for me today is also a celebration of you. Both of you. Because if it weren’t for either of you, I wouldn’t be where I am, or who I am today in this very moment.

I have so much to thank you both for. So much, that words will never be enough to express the gratitude and love I hold in my heart for you both. Dad, I remember when I was little you teaching me how to ride my bike I got from Oma - that awesome pink bike with the green dragon on it. If they made that bike in my size now I would go out and buy it again. You have also taught me how to work hard, how to be focused, how to strive for more, how to be responsible, how to handle money and what it means to sacrifice for your family. Thank you.

Mama I remember when I was little you and I would cut potatoes into different shapes and dip them in paint to make Christmas table cloths which I plan on doing sometime soon again. You have taught me to be creative, to be silly, to laugh to be loyal and forgiving, and to put others before yourself. Thank you.

Mama I remember when I was little you and I would cut potatoes into different shapes and dip them in paint to make Christmas table cloths which I plan on doing sometime soon again. You have taught me to be creative, to be silly, to laugh to be loyal and forgiving, and to put others before yourself. Thank you.

Dad on my wedding day you walked me down the aisle and once we reached the end you whispered ‘I love you Ash’ (here come the tears), you watched with a smile on your face as your little girl married the man of her dreams, you made a wonderful speech (which you will be happy to hear I finally have a copy of for you!) in which you said that I was the best thing you had to give, we had our father daughter dance, followed by our ‘Co-Pilot’ dance which ended up working out just like we wanted it to all along! And without you there, the day would have never been the same. Thank you.

Mama on my wedding day you helped me get ready - you did the buttons up on my dress, you helped me set everything up, and you decorated the beautiful shoes I got to walk down the aisle in - you were in all of the little details. You stood right next to me as I said ‘I do’ to the love of my life, and you shed tears that only a mother could cry as she watched her baby girl grow up in front of her eyes (here come the tears again). And without you there, the day would have never been the same. Thank you. 

And now things have slowly but surely started to settle back into normality again and I always look forward to talking to you over the phone Dad on Saturday’s and having conversations that end up lasting WAY longer than we intend for them to, talking about anything and everything together.

And I look forward to seeing you Mama whether it is for lunch or on the weekends when we go shopping because spending time with you is always something I love to do.

And so you see, no matter what happens in life, no matter where we all end up, no matter what happens between the two of you, no matter what happens… you will always have a daughter who is SO grateful for her parents, and all that they have done, and all they continue to do. There will never be words to convey the love I hold for you both. Please just know that I do, and always will.

All my love,
Your daughter (big or small),
Ashleigh xoxo

7 comments:

  1. Wunderschön.....
    Mit Tränen in den Augen
    yase

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  2. Sin plabras!!!! todo son lágrimas.Bss apretaos!!!

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  3. Good Morning Karen, A belated Happy Anniversary to your daughter and husband. You did an awesome job on their present which I know they will treasurer because mom made it for them. You ask where did the year go because it only seems like yesterday that they were married. Each month almost passes in a blur. I have enjoyed catching up with you this morning and reading your blog. Have a wonderful day. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend. .

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  4. Your anniversary gifts are lovely keepsakes. Thank you for sharing them with us.

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  5. Oh Karen... so good we have no webcam... I am looking bad now... :-)
    and I am happy for you, and for your daughter.

    Hugs and tears
    Ines♥

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  6. Karen what beautiful and thoughtful gifts, and such a beautiful letter. I remember posts you did while making things for her wedding, thinking then how special your relationship is with your daughter. Happy tears to all of you!

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  7. Oh Karen, your Anniversary gifts are gorgeous! Fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing Ashleigh's letter. Thank you for sharing! Love ya' Patricia B

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