Casey and I have never been big on celebrations. On our own wedding day, our biggest struggle was that we both hated the idea of being the center of attention. So when I looked at the calendar yesterday, and realized what was coming up, it was funny to think that it almost passed us by without notice.
Today is the five year anniversary of the day we met. As we laid in bed last night talking about that day, I found myself tearing up because I was laughing so hard at the memories of our early days of dating. I thought a good way to celebrate (and a fun way to spend a Friday afternoon) would be to share with you guys, a little trip down memory lane, and our journey to year five…
On November 12, 2005 (a Saturday night) I headed out to a cheesy nightclub with my group of girlfriends, for a fun night of dancing. One of my best friends was in the very early dating stages with a guy, and she called him to meet us out at the bar. And since 20-somethings all travel in packs, he brought along his two roommates – one of which was Casey.
I was sitting in a corner booth, packed in around crowds and tables. I remember seeing Casey crawl over the two people to my right, and he plopped himself down next to me. Having had two boyfriends in my entire life prior to him, I was awkward and nervous, and had no idea why he was talking to me. We talked until the bar closed, and eventually numbers were exchanged. For the first time in a long time, I gave out the real one.
Heading home in a cab that night (and fueled by several beers), I announced “I met a hot guy at the bar tonight and I actually gave him my number. I am going to marry him. You may call me Mrs. Malone.”
After all, who wouldn’t fall head over heels for a guy who hoola hoops?
But it wasn’t quite that simple for us. I had just gotten out of a miserable year-long relationship, and Casey was still dealing with divorce from the previous year. Neither of us was looking to be dating whatsoever, but for some reason we also couldn’t forget each other. I put his number in my phone as “Kacey” and he texted me the next day. The next month or so was incredibly casual – just meeting up in bars on weekends (I was 24 at the time) and the occasional phone call in between.
Our first official “date” was to see the movie Walk the Line, the story of Johnny Cash and June Carter. Five years later, we danced our first dance at our wedding with Heidi Newfield singing in the background…
I wanna love like Johnny and June, Rings of fire, burnin’ with you
I wanna walk the line, walk the line, Till the end of time
I wanna love, love ya that much, Cash it all in, give it all up
When you’re gone, I wanna go too, Like Johnny and June…
But obviously that is skipping ahead quite a bit. I dug back and found the first picture ever taken of the two of us together, at my holiday party in December 2005. I remember being so nervous that he was coming over and meeting all of my friends. (Doesn’t he look thrilled?)
And then just as most relationships grow, we continued to get closer and closer, and hung out on a more regular basis. I can still remember the first time I simply went to his house to watch TV – it felt like such a turning point.
In March of 2006, Casey decided he wanted to get a second dog. As a newish girlfriend, I was totally thrilled that my boyfriend was getting a puppy. Little did I know that I was adding to my own eventual family! We picked up Indy on a farm in the middle of nowhere, and with a new pup in the house, I found myself over at Casey’s place more and more.
The following summer, Casey took the two of us on our first group vacation together to a friend’s lake house. Indy and I were both a little nervous to be meeting all of Casey’s friends. At least I could swim – turns out Indy does better on a raft (and sinks like a stone in the water!).
Huey wasn’t so sure about all the newness in the house – a new dog and a new girlfriend hanging around all the time. It took him a very long time to warm up to me, but now we are the best of friends.
Summer and fall brought lots of fun outings – baseball, Indy Car racing, football, cookouts, tailgates – you name it.
At the time, I was working my full time job and an additional part time job, and I found that I spent most of what little free-time I had at
Casey’s place. In just a short year, we really felt like a family.
In June 2007, just a year and a half after we met, we decided to take the leap and officially move in together. We worked around the clock to get Casey’s house ready to sell, sold it ourselves, and moved into our new place together. It was the first time I was living apart from my roommate of seven (!) years, and it was a scary (but fun) transition.
Fast forward to March 2008, Casey proposed in the middle of our dining room, and our house officially became a home. May 9th, 2009, I married the guy that crawled across a booth to sit next to me in a bar, and a few years after my prediction – I finally became Mrs. Malone.
In our five years together we have lived in three houses in Cincinnati, spent a year in Charlotte, and eventually landed in Alexandria, Virginia (where we plan to stay!). We have changed so much from the two kids that met in a bar five years ago, but we have learned so much about each other, and about love, in the process.
Here’s to many, many more…
127 Comments so far
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omg, LOVE THIS POST! seriously, it made me weepy- so beautifully written, and i love all the pics!!!
happy 5 years! :)
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That’s such a cute story- – how funny that you predicted you were going to marry him!
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I love this post. What a great story, from the time you predicted you would marry him!
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You and Casey have such a great love story. My boyfriend and I are celebrating 5 years in February, and it is amazing how big a difference 5 years can make.
Here is to many more years of happiness to the both of you!
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congratulations! what a nice post.. sometimes you just know when you are meant to be with someone! :)
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So sweet! We still celebrate our day of meeting too, any excuse to celebrate right? Love seeing Indy as a puppy too!
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Your story is so sweet. Happy November 12. :)
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that’s a beautiful post if i’ve ever read one!
cognrats!
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Aww so cute, I love the flash back photos!
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What a beautiful post! You two are so adorable together! I completely understand just knowing you’re going to marry someone…driving home after the first date with my now husband, I called my mom to tell her I just went on a date with the man I was going to marry. She thought I was crazy, but 2 years later I walked down the aisle to marry him…sometimes you just know! :)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 9:51 am
I love that! :)
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A very sweet story, and a great way to honor it. My boyfriend and I just celebrated our eighth anniversary yesterday. We plan to be together forever, which is why we’re not in a rush to get married. ;)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 9:52 am
There is definitely no rush, especially if you already live together. Everyone told me “just wait, it will be different once you’re married.” And guess what? No it’s not. We already lived and loved like we were married, and the only thing that changed was my name! :)
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Awwwwwwwwwe, so sweet! I love hearing about how couples met one another! You guys really do look so in love!
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Your wedding pictures are breathtaking!
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Great piece and lovely story, Mrs Malone! To 5 years and many more to come.
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This is a very cute post. Makes me wonder where my Boy and I will be in 2 more years!! ;)
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Such a sweet story! Here’s to a lifetime full of sweet stories for you, Emily!!!
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I so enjoyed reading that! What a lovely little story. I wish you many years of happiness ahead!! :)
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I love this post!!! Loved hearing more about your story! :) And I LOVE that song…so cute that it applies to your dating so well too! And your wedding dress is INCREDIBLE. Happy 5 years!
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LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post! So beautifully written and I love the pics! I love hearing love stories! Can I just say that I love that Casey picked you out right away!? ;) Have a wonderful weekend, Emily! You truly are beautiful, inside and out! Thanks for starting my weekend off with a smile!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Aww thank you Marie!
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That was absolutely beautiful! Our lives take so many different twists and turns.
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Awesome. Proof that people *can* meet meaningfully in a bar, no matter what “they” say! ;)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 9:55 am
haha YES!
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jane Reply:
May 7th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
im another living proof of that! :-)
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I really enjoyed this post. I love how people met stories. Plus that Johnny and June song is one of my favorites and I love how your first dance song tied in with your first date!
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Awww! I love this post! Congrats you two!
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As a girl looking forward to becoming a mrs. (whoa, that’s weird. that’s the first time i’ve said, er, typed that!) in less than a year, i LOVE this post! Congrats to you and Casey!
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Very sweet post. Happy Anniversary to you both.
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Thank you so much for sharing! I really enjoyed this post, it’s so romantic and honest and really just lovely :) Congratulations!
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What a great post! Fun to read, and very sweet :)Happy first-meeting anniversary!
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Great love story! Happy 5 years to you both. Have a great weekend with your love.
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Such a sweet post!!! LOVE the old photos. Congrats to you both…this day is definitely worth celebrating!! On another note…last night I had THE MOST REAL dream ever that Chris and I got divorced, lol.
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 9:55 am
omg WHAT? Haha that is not happening. Scary!
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I so loved you before, but now that you mentioned IndyCar and showed a picture of you and Casey at a Colts game in the same post, I am madly in love with you two!
Congratulations on a fantastic marriage! I love love. <3
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Haha Casey is from Indianapolis! I have been to the 500 four times, and countless Colts games. I believe we have 8 blue and white jerseys between the two of us. :)
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Emily! – lol what made you put him in your phone as “Kacey”
So funny!
Great story, have really loved keeping in touch with you via your blog. Next time I am in DC, we should try and meet up for a coffee!! xx
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 9:57 am
Haha Kacey, YES! You were the only Kacey I know before that, so clearly the only spelling too. :) He always argues that Casey is a boys name, and I am quick to point out that I knew a girl Kacey first! PLEASE tell me next time you are in DC – I would love to see you!
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I love stories like this! Happy Anniversary to you both and enjoy the day!
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So cute!! :) And are you guys really Colts fans??? LOVE IT! Go Colts :)
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kelly Reply:
November 12th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Oh and I was going to say (before I was distracted by the Colts photo..) that my husband and I actually got married on the anniversary of the day we met (7 years later)!
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Aww great story! And how about Indy as a pup?! He could play with Clyde if he were still that size!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 9:59 am
He was soooo tiny and precious.
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What a sweet post! It is always fun to think back to the beginning and realize how far you have come!
Have fun celebrating this milestone.
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Congrats on 5 years strong! You seem like such a loving and supportive couple- what a great story. :)
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I love this post!! Congratulations on the 5 years!
You two are so cute and your love really shows through your pictures and blog. :)
::cheers to many many more years!::
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Love this post – so sweet!! Congrats you guys!!! Here’s to many many many more years together :)
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I already told you this on twitter, but my husband and I began dating on November 13th of ’05 and we went to see Walk the Line, too. He was also the roommate of my friend’s boyfriend. So crazy!
Anyways, happy 5 year meetingaversary! :) It’s amazing how life turns out, isn’t it?
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 9:52 am
That is seriously SO WEIRD. And very cool. :) Congrats to you too!
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how exciting!! are you guys going to do the traditional five year gift??? what is it, paper?? i don’t even know!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:00 am
haha I don’t think we’ve ever gotten any sort of anniversary presents. we’d both just rather make a fun dinner or something. :)
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Becca Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Ah dinner is SO much better than a “paper” gift!! Spoken like a true foodie :)
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Such a beautiful story! Congrats!
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This is lovely. Congratulations to you! xx
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Happy “day you met” anniversary. What a fun way to celebrate, so happy you found each other.
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What a lovely post Emily!! Congrats on the five years together! I can fell how happy you two are together, you truly love your guy!
Ana
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I’m SO glad that Casey sat next to you in the booth at the bar :-) We love having you in the family! I love this post. Totally made me cry…and confirmed my belief that I will know when he’s right ;-)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Awww I love you Haley! Can’t wait to see you SOON. :)
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GREAT post! I had not idea Casey had been married before. You guys look and sound perfect together. So happy you guys found each other
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:01 am
Yep – right out of college. Feels like a lifetime ago now.
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Regina Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:11 am
My husband and I had both been married before we met each other. It just helped prove how right we were once we finally met. Have to go through the bad to get to the good!
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You guys are SO cute!! And your wedding photos are gorgeous. I LOVE your dress…
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Awwww… :)
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Soooo cute!!!! <3
I think sometimes you just know when something is going to last. That's how I feel about my fiance too. From early on I knew we'd get married.
That's not to say we haven't gone through really hard stuff, nothing is picture perfect like in fairytales, but the love we have for each other never wanders, regardless of what we're going through together!
Awwww i want to go hug my guy now, im all mushy lol!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:02 am
We have definitely had our ups and downs too – that’s just part of the natural process. The key is to working through it. I can honestly say that we almost NEVER fight anymore. We got it all out early. :)
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Congrats you two! Man it seems like alot of people are celebrating 5 year anniversaries today! You guys obviously have a very special relationship! Something to cherish!
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Love this!! Gave me chills and even a little teary eyed at the end :) congrats to you two !
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How happy I am that Casey crawled into that booth :) Tears at work again- I gotta stop reading this during lunch- the Indy puppy pic! OMG-love you both always!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Mom, you were there when we got Indy! Our first stop was to your backyard with both pups, remember? :)
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This is so sweet! I love it! :)
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This was nice. I can’t wait for my lovie to get home from work…
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Awwww… I love hearing/reading how people met! When I met my guy, I knew right away, too! Six years later… :-)
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This is too cute. Congrats to you both for going for it and finding each other.
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Such a wonderful fairy tale story.
My wedding anniversary is Nov. 16 and my BD is Nov. 20. So we have November in common. I met my husband at a Valentines church banquet and married him that November. We celebrate 19 years this year. 2nd marriage for both but this one is a keeper.
The pics are so cute and the story telling of your relationship was the best. Continue on and you will grow together.
I hope your leg is continuing to heal.
Blessings,
Lancaster Co PA Gal
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Sometimes second marriages turn out to be much, much better. :)
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So cute! Made me smile, thank you :)
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Awww! What a great story! Thanks for sharing, congrats on 5 wonderful years together, and may you have many more!
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I absolutely LOVE your wedding dress! Everything at your wedding was so so so gorgeous.
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Thanks Sophie!
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Awww…love it. Made me tear up (and I’m at work! Ha!) Indy was such a cuuute puppy. I had never seen a pic of him as a puppy before!
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What a fantastic story. It’s obvious you two are madly in love. :)
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Aw, I loved this little recap of your relationship. Adorable.
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congrats on 5 years and here’s to many, many more! :)
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My five year anniversary with my boyfriend was yesterday too! :)
This is so sweet – it makes me want to go back and dig everything up too!!
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Loved reading this!!!
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I adored this post, Emily! Your relationship story is touching and those big puppy paws… be still my heart! :)
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Adorable story! Love just happens that way : )
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So cute! I love the change in body language between you from that first photo. And of course, now I’m bawling at such a sweet love story.
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What a great story! So glad you shared. And I LOVE your wedding dress!!
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aww i LOVED reading this, absolutely loved it. thanks for sharing, you two make a great couple!
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Sweet.
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Congrats on your 5 year “meeting” anniversary. Such a cute post! :)
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You just gave me hope that I’ll meet my husband at a bar hehe. Such a cute story.
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Aww what a beautiful story!!
Thank you for sharing…
Wishing you and Casey a looooong lifetime of happiness and love! xx
ps I hope your leg is getting better n better each day!! Sending you healing vibes… :)
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First, holy bananas! You have 737 comments for the cookbook! Geez people really want to cook clean food.
And that is a sweet story. My parents anniversary is May 9 and they will be married 30 years this May. It’s a good day to get married!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 14th, 2010 at 10:04 am
I know – I kept worrying that the giveaway comments were going to crash my blog! I was NOT expecting that, haha. :)
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What a great story! I’m just grinning from ear to ear over here. :)
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LOL, I met my husband in a club too!
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Happy 5 years! Loved hearing your story:) There’s nothing better than having a true partner in life.
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Congrats!! Happy 5 Years and cheers to many many more :) Love seeing you and your husbands story!!
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What a beautiful love story! I loved reading it. Thanks so much for sharing Emily! Oh yeah, and Congrats!
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So lovely. This actually made me tear up at the end! I’m such a sucker ;-) I blame it on the fact that I just got married a couple of months ago! Really, though, thank you for sharing. I am sure it was as nice for you to write as it was for us to read.
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This is one of my favorite posts… ever.
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What a fun post! Happy Anniversary to you both, and many more to come.
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Oh my what a beautiful story! You both were meant to be together…Happy Anniversary!
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Awww…this actually made me tear up a bit!! Wishing you both all the happiness the world can give you!
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congratulations on your 5 years! your recap put a smile on my face this morning ~ wishing you many more happy years to come.
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Aw, this was so sweet! And it’s so funny how your “prediction” from the night you met ended up coming true!
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Awww, this is great! It actually inspired me to look up a calendar from 2001 and figure out just which date my friend’s 16th birthday would have been, when my husband first asked me whether he could ask Lili (our hostess) for my number (hey, it was high school). This actually brought tears to my eyes. So sweet!
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Thanks for sharing. This was really sweet :)
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awww, how sweet :) congrats!
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That is so cute! :D
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That was a fun trip down memory lane ;-)
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what a great story! I love that you told you friends you may call me mrs malone. hilarious!
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I love reading real love stories… Your story is beautiful! Thank you for sharing :)
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You met on my wedding day! Congrats (to both of us) on a happy 5 years!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Oh how fun! Congrats to you guys :)
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Ahhh! I love a good love story! Thank you for sharing that.
And….are you a Colt’s Fan? Those were Colt shirts….PLEASE tell me you’re a Colt’s fan. :)
Yes, all that love and memories shared and I nearly lept for joy at the possibility that you may or may not love the team I love. Fanatical, much?
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Casey is from Indianapolis! I can’t tell you how many games I’ve been to or how many jerseys I own. It’s embarrassing. :) We don’t watch as much now that we live in VA, but we sure do love Indianapolis. (We even have a dog named Indy!)
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Brandy Reply:
November 16th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Big duh….never made the connections. I’m in TX, so I’ve never been to a game. Someday! :) My hubby just got me my first jersey. I was so stoked!
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Your wedding pics look AMAZING! I can’t wait to get married to my true love! Congrats
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What a wonderful love story, Emily! : )
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woman! I just love your writing. Some people are just blessed with the ability to write with so much personality that I feel as though I am one of your friends. My question for you is about your decision to go to culinary school. I have pondered for years of going to culinary school and expanding on my hobby. I am just afraid that I will be “throwing away” a very expensive college degree. Also, I am worried about how tough is it to get a thriving career in this business! Keep up the good and inspiring writing! xo
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Love the pic of you guys at the Colts game!
Wish we were going to be watching them in the Superbowl this year!
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Just read this post!! love “your story” – after one of my very first dates with Eric I told my mom – I’m going to marry this kid one day and live in a big house and have lots of babies ;)
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What a cute post! It made me smile.
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