Our 4th Anniversary

On June 18th, 2007, Greg and I were married. It was such a dream to get married at Guthrie Castle in Angus, Scotland. Our visit to the UK, Greg's first, was much like the movie, "Just Married," with Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy. One of my favorite memories of Greg is him driving our rental car. It was a Fiat, of course with a right sided driver's seat, a stick shift, only large enough to carry us and our luggage, and it couldn't drive over 50 mph. It was hard enough getting out of the airport parking lot, much less drive down the centuries old roads that were to take us through tiny towns to St. Andrews where we were expected at our hotel, The Fairmont. We could hardly stop laughing as we crossed the Firth of Forth in our Fiat. We must have said that a thousand times. Yes...needless to say, we were giddy from the lack of sleep on the plane and excited to say our vows in the next couple of days. Really, it was funny.

Greg and our orange Fiat. He drove it like a pro. I never once touched the driver's seat.

Views of The Fairmont St. Andrews.

The ruins of St. Andrews cathedral.

More St. Andrews Photos

I'll never forget the day of our wedding, being picked up by a gorgeous black Jaguar to be driven to Guthrie Castle in Angus, 40 minutes away. It was a beautiful drive through the country. I remember reminding myself to be totally conscious of every moment, to catalog it in my mind forever. Talking to the driver, the green countryside, Greg sitting to the right of me holding my hand and squeezing it every so often, and then seeing the entrance to the castle (above).

The winding dirt road we went down was paved with ancient trees and stone walls built hundreds of years ago. We crossed over a bridge and in the distance could see the castle we were to be married in.

Guthrie Castle dates back to 1468 and the garden we were married in, dates back to the 1600's. It truly was the most amazing place to get married, and we had the castle all to ourselves for a day and a half.

At 3 pm we were married in the garden. Pastor Brian Ramsey married us. He lives on the castle grounds.

We spent the most romantic evening with dinner in the grand dining room and we walked around the castle grounds. In the morning, we had an amazing breakfast and then were picked up by our driver to return to The Fairmont. From there, we began our fabulous honeymoon touring parts of Scotland and England (Edinburgh, York, London, and the Cotswalds).

It truly was a dream. I can't wait to show Chase, Holden, and Rhys where we got married someday.

To celebrate our anniversary, we decided to go away for the weekend. It was our first time away from the boys and we were nervous, but ready for some alone time! We drove 2 hours to New Bern, NC and stayed at the Aerie Inn Bed and Breakfast and we had such a fabulous time. We had no idea after years of being woken up consistently every night by our children multiple times, how much a full night of sleep can do for a person...and we got two nights! We felt alive again, like real people!

The Aerie Inn.

We had lunch one day at The Persimmons restaurant. It was great and had fabulous views of the water. I really loved the decor, simple and modern with a Southern flare.

We were given a carriage ride to The Chelsea restaurant downtown on Saturday evening. I thought Greg was going to die riding in the Cinderella carriage, but he survived! We had a wonderful dinner.

4 years later, I am more in love with this man every day. Getting married to someone, you know you love them and want to spend your life with them whatever that life may bring. I had no idea after all that we have experienced, 4 moves and 2 more children later, even how much more love I would have for him. I had never thought that was possible. He gives everything of himself for all of us and loves us unconditionally. I am so grateful. Happy Anniversary, Greg. I love you!