365 Days.

That's right. We made it. Marriage. One year.

So I'm not going to lie, I feel like we have been totally and completely spoiled by life during our first year of marriage. We were able to have the most perfect wedding & honeymoon in Mexico. Then we were able to move across the country to a place that neither of us had been before (Washington DC), and live there for the summer for Tanner's work. He was able to be successful, we were able to save a lot of money, Tanner was offered a 'promotion' to become a team leader for his company, we were able to move back to school and finally use our wedding gifts & buy all new furniture, decorate our first home, buy a new car, watch our team win the superbowl, spend the holidays with family, go to Mexico again on a cruise with Tanner's company, go bungee jumping, get a new puppy and move back out to DC where we are now!

A lot of people say that marriage is an adjustment. I agree. It is. But is it bad that I still feel like we are in our 'honeymoon' stage? Everyone told me that the honeymoon stage would last for the first 3 months of marriage and then after that reality would set in. Reality. Reality? I still feel like I haven't come to terms with reality. I still haven't come to terms with the fact that I will literally be able to spend eternity with my best friend. I still haven't come to terms with the fact that the man that I love more than anything in this world- chose me to be his wife and to spend every day of his life with. Like, what? Every time I think about it, I realize how far away I am from exiting the honeymoon stage. Gag all you want, but really, it's true.

Anyways, for our one year anniversary Tanner was in charge. Tanner knows that I HATE surprises. Like, HATE them... If I know that they are coming. For example: Christmas. I can't remember a Christmas where I didn't know at least half, if not all of my gifts beforehand. The best part of Christmas, to me, is finding out what new place the gifts are hidden each year. I know, I'm messed up. Well Tanner over the year we have been married, has become increasingly better at keeping secrets from me. But that's okay. I love a good challenge. This surprise though, I did not see coming.

Tanner found a great deal at the Ritz Carlton. THE RITZ CARLTON. I feel like for a moment when I heard, I wanted to say "That hotel is real?" I thought it was only a real place in movies. And disclaimer: We are SO NOT fancy people. So this was going to be an experience.

We got a babysitter for Pancake (thanks Brandon) because the hotel wanted to charge $250 a night just for a puppy... (Um what?).

On the way to the hotel we were STARVING. So we did what anyone would do on their anniversary and stop at Taco Bell of course! But really though, sometimes all you need is a good, properly put together, Crunch Wrap. So we grabbed it to go, and headed to the hotel.

When we got the hotel we were greeted by men who looked like they were a part of the mafia dressed in tuxes. As they approached the car Tanner says "What's happening..." and I say "It's valet parking" (i'm telling you. we are NOT fancy). A man opened each of our doors and with hands full of Taco Bell, we struggle a bit to get out of the car. They get out our suitcase and welcome us to 'the Ritz'. One of the men went to grab Tanner's T-bell bag and said "can I take care of that for you sir?" and Tanner replies "Oh, no it's ok. I'm not done yet." and the man just kind of gave us a look of confusion. Ha. Oh and let me also mention that when we pulled in, we pulled in next to cars that were probably worth more than my life. Like ya know, just casually driving my Rolls Royce to 'the Ritz'! 

So here we are, both in sweats (we were going to get ready for the evening later on), walking into the nicest hotel I've ever seen, with my beat up suitcase and hands full of Taco Bell, where people around us are wearing Jimmy Choo's and Valentino like it's their job. We stood out. To say the least. Then another mafia member approaches us in the lobby as we are standing there just staring at the beauty of this place and the man goes "can I offer you a complimentary glass of champaign?", Tanner & I look at each other, and I almost want to say yes even just to hold it and look cool, but tanner quickly replies "Oh, Nah I'm good.... but y'all got Mountain Dew???" HAHA. I lost it. Everything about where we were and how we looked, caught up to me and tears literally started running down my face. Only my husband. Only my husband. 

So then it was check-in time. We were personally escorted to a desk where a man with a European accent (of course), heavy but refreshing cologne and expensive tie was waiting for us. As he was checking us in he looks at us with a smirk and says "First time here?" and we both reply "Yup!" (I mean how could you possibly tell??). He says "Are you celebrating anything special?" and Tanner explains how we are celebrating our one year wedding anniversary. His face lights up. The man is a romantic I tell ya. The man at the counter then says "Oh my goodness congratulations! I wish I would've known and I could've made your stay extra special by having some things waiting for you in your room!" (Okay, you're the sweetest!). We said it was okay and he gave us his card for if we ever come back and he said he would take care of us. We felt like celebrities.

Then we went up to our room. It was beautiful. There was a giant tub (my favorite part), the comfiest bed I had ever been on and a gorgeous view of the city. Tanner opens the closet and says "ROBES! YES!". Obviously you can tell what he was excited about. Simple mind, simple pleasures right?
So while we were still just checking out the room, there was a knock at the door. When I open it, there is a woman there, with a rolling tray. She doesn't speak english but she gestures for me to let her in. So I hesitantly let her, thinking in my head (I really hope all this stuff doesn't end up costing us $5000). She sets up a large tray of chocolate covered strawberries and a bucket with what looked like an expensive bottle of champaign inside of it. Then she says "from downstairs". The man at the check-in desk had this sent up to us, on the house. Adorable. And YUMMY.

Then we got ready for the night and went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Yum. And then went to see a movie and do some shopping. I am blessed with a husband that would walk around the mall for hours with me, just because even if he doesn't get anything for himself, we just like walking around, laughing at people (judge us) and more importantly laughing at each other. It was a great night.

The flowers Tanner had delivered to me the morning of our anniversary when he was at work. 

Thank you kind, kind front desk man :) 

I tried to get a picture of all the fancy cars at the Valet.... 

Tanner's improvised room service menu for Breakfast. I had mentioned that I wanted French Toast, which wasn't listed on the menu. So he wrote it in inside. HAHA. Funny thing is, they actually did whip them up and bring them to me! :) 

Massive breakfast. 

In the morning we had breakfast in bed. Our room service was included in the package deal that Tanner got, otherwise we probably would've just left and found an I-Hop. I mean, on the menu a small glass of orange juice was $8! $8! And a small stack of pancakes $16! Whoever these people are that actually pay this much, I applaud you. And your back account. But Tanner, even if he had the money, would rather die than spend that much on 3 pancakes. Haha. Luckily, it was all included so we could order whatever we wanted. And it was DELICIOUS.

We agreed not to get each other any presents, so instead I made Tanner a little somethin'. I have seen this whole 'playing card' craft all over Pinterest but I did a little twist to it. Instead of "50 things I love about you" I did "50 most memorable events in the past 365 days". Each card had a different memory from the past year. It was really fun to be able to reflect and think back on it all. It was also fun making small pictures for each one. Tanner also enjoyed reading through it. I plan to make one every year and keep them all together to be able to scan and look through each year. Ya. We'll see how that goes. But hey, it could happen!

All in all, the past 365 days have been thee best 365 days of my life. And I can't wait for all of the many, many, many, many, many, many x eternity, more to come.