Two years ago today, I done got me wed.

As I was reminiscing over the last year, I couldn’t help but think about our amazing Italian/British world tour last fall. The memory that came to mind was our visit to the Cinque Terre, five tiny, coastal Italian towns embedded in the rocky cliffs. Specifically, our walk along Villa dell’Amore (Lover’s Path), the path that allowed young lover’s from Town 1 and Town 2 to meet up back in the day. The path is riddled with all sorts of “love graffiti” and locks attached to any surface as a proclamation of love (amidst other strange items attached as well).

We got there and realized… we have nothing to leave a mark of our love! What were we to do?? Our visit (and love??) wouldn’t feel complete if we didn’t participate in this old tradition.

So, I rustled around in my purse and found the only thing that was remotely shaped as something that could be attached to prove our amore – an old tea bag (Trader Joe’s chamomile, naturally). Do not ask me why that was in my purse. But my fabulous husband said, “Alright, let’s do it. Let’s tea bag the Cinque Terre.” And so, we etched our names gently onto the tea bag, tied it to the path rail, and watched it flutter vigorously in the sea air, a banner of our love and commitment.

At this point, you may be wondering:

a.) How grotesque they are!

b.) How is this at all romantic… you just ruined the most romantic place on earth.

c.) WHY would you recall this and blog about it on your anniversary?

Well, really, we’re harmless – that’s the only time we used that phrase. Heck, I barely even knew what it was! And if you know me, you know how I get into trouble that way. And here is why I share this, possibly my favorite story from our trip – after two years (we’re no veterans!) we have learned that laughter is one of the gifts of grace that God gives us to stay in love. Yes, even slightly inappropriate laughter. Man alive, did we laugh hard! And it embodied what I love about my husband – he’s game. He’s up for it. He’s in on the adventure, even if it means we have to do things in an unconventional way.

3 Things I love about my husband on this 2nd anniversary:

1. He puts up with all the bobby pins and hair wookies that this lady creates and he cleans the drains! AND makes the wookie sound every. single. time.
2. He wakes up, in the middle of the night, to comfort and help me during a breakdown (doesn’t happen often, thank God!)
3. He tea bagged the Cinque Terre with me.

Happy Anniversary, my Southern Gentleman, my HOBL, my friend!