a love story {part 1}

In honor of our 10th Anniversary next week, I've decided to tell the story of how Mr. Gardner and I met and fell in love. The sad fact is that nearly a third of marriages are over by the 10 year mark, so it's a milestone worth celebrating. I've been looking through old scanned photos of us when we first met and it has brought back so many memories. It's amazing how much life and adventure these last 10 years have held. Through all the wonderful and trying times, we have grown together and become parents to our three boys, deepening and strengthening our relationship. I pray our love continues to thrive, and that the next 10 years are even better than the last have been.

And, in ten years, I fully expect to be on an extended European Vacation with Mr. Gardner, preferably somewhere romantic in Italy on our exact Anniversary date.

{Just wanted to throw that in there.}

All that to say...this is how it all started, from my point of view...

Just two months after my 18th birthday, I moved to Pensacola, Florida to attend a small Bible College (just so you know, most Bible colleges are affectionately called "Bridal Colleges" by those who attend them...there is a good reason for this.)

The particular Bible College I chose was quite strict when it came to student life. We had a curfew and separate housing for ladies and gentlemen, both on and off campus. Furthermore, the ladies and gentlemen were forbidden to step foot in a domicile of the opposite sex, unless they were going to the home of a married couple who had the express permission of the College to host co-ed get togethers.

Dating or "pairing off" during the first semester was also forbidden, to prevent distractions among the new students. I fully intended to follow the no-dating-during-first-semester-policy, and, in fact, thought it was a good idea.

My parents felt that it would be wise for me to live on campus my first semester, and so I started settling into dorm life, and meeting lots of new friends. Living on campus included meals at the school cafeteria, which was right next door to the dorms.

I don't remember the exact day, but the first distinct memory I have of my husband-to-be is definitely from sometime in mid-September during breakfast at the cafeteria.

I was going through the line, trying to find some familiar Northwestern breakfast fare, (I had already mistaken the cheese grits for cream of wheat once and put sugar and butter in them...) when I found myself looking at a very handsome young man with mesmerizing blue eyes who was offering me a bowl of whole grain hot cereal.

"It'll keep you regular," he said, grinning.

Wow.

Now, this might be considered an odd greeting by some people, but it really rocked my socks because it's something my dad would say. It would be common breakfast conversation at home. Which further cemented the feeling I had deep in my soul that I knew this man. I didn't know from where. But he was so familiar. I remember thinking later that it was like that line in Sleepless in Seattle, when Tom Hanks is talking about meeting his wife,

"It was like coming home, but to know home I'd ever known."

I probably smiled and took the offered cereal without a word, but I like to think I may have raised an eyebrow and said something coy.

Needless to say, I very much looked forward to eating from then on (even more than usual, I mean). And it didn't take long for me to notice that it wasn't just me looking forward to meals. My roommate even heard that he asked about me when I missed breakfast.

Not long after that, we both ended up going to Chile's after an evening church service with a large group of friends. I somehow managed to sit right across from him.

Despite the fact that I was extremely happy about this, I was suffering from a cold, complete with a nasty sore throat (which I think was from the rapid temperature changes when going from inside the ridiculously ice-cold AC in every building in Florida to the outside excessively humid, hot weather multiple times a day).

Anyway, he found out I wasn't feeling well, and did some very goofy things to make me feel better.

(Which worked by the way. )

He also ordered Chicken Noodle Soup so that I wouldn't be eating it alone.

I went home feeling absolutely dreamy...and got called to the R.A.'s room and got a talking to.

About...

You guessed it...pairing off.

To be continued...

inspiration.

Just a few things that have inspired me today.

These lovely hanging canning jar luminaries from Pottery Barn. I am going to go get some wire and make some of these for my house.

This entire blog (even if it is in Norwegian...thank heavens for google translator). But particularly, I want to duplicate this shelving in my kitchen.

And speaking of kitchens, just look at this one from designer Margot Austin

I have a thing for open shelving. And vintage kitchen islands. And white.

And...I think I want to duplicate this canopy from the same designer.

Or I may copy the canopy Margot created for her own bedroom...

So lovely.

adventures in thrifting.

I've found some great new blogs lately...most of them I have found through these two sites dedicated to repurposing and DIY home decorating.

So, freshly inspired, I went thrifting last week and came back with these little treasures:

Two sage green linen Pier One curtains that I put in my living room....Ohhh, the lovely filtered light. Total cost: $2

A very vintage looking mirror which is now in my dining room. I haven't cleaned it because I kind of like the streaks...they add character. Total cost $6

I bought some assorted vintage sheets and pillowcases, with the intention of using some of the fabric as wall art in old picture frames, and using several of the pillowcases for a redecorating makeover for our Master Bedroom. Total cost: $10

I used some fabric from my vintage sheet to put in my mirror/key hook near my front door (which was also thrifted last winter for $9...it was missing one of the glass frame pieces, which I just replaced with glass from another thrifted 4x6 frame). I had photographs in the frames, but they just didn't do much for me. This looks much better, I think. Total cost: just a fraction of the cost of the sheet.

I found this cute little white frame, and was able to overlook its contents...unlike Mr. Gardner, whose only comment was "Two ducks...really?" (I think they're geese, Love...)

(Sorry about the bad lighting in the photo above BTW...)

So, the next morning, I cut out some of the vintage sheet fabric and put it in the picture frame...and it looked much better without the ducks...er, geese. Total cost: $2I bought another frame and....you guessed it, put some vintage sheet fabric in it...what can I say? I really liked this sheet! This wall art is hanging in a previously very bare spot between the kitchen and dining room. Total cost $3

These last two things, I picked up for Mr. Gardner's study.
I don't know what this is called, but it has lots of gauges on it, and looks like it belongs in a man-cave. Total cost: $3
I found these three boxes of vintage bookplates...150 total. A totally sweet deal for my bibliophile husband. I was totally excited to find these for him because I'd been looking for bookplates some and they were pretty pricey. Total cost: $0.99

Have I mentioned that I love thrifting?

More to come on the Master Bedroom makeover...I'll have to make the bed first.

all boy.

This kid is tough as nails.

Last week he did a face-plant on the pavement and skinned up his nose and forehead.

Then he ran in front of the swinging child at the park and got knocked flat on his back...and got a black eye in the process.

He also loves to play in the dirt.

{I think I know who my ER frequent flyer is going to be...}

father's day

I snapped these pictures of Mr. Gardner reading to the boys the other night, just in time for Father's Day. Obviously, they were completely engrossed in Robinson Crusoe...

Happy Father's Day, to the best baby daddy in the whole world... I love you.

tenderknees.

Apparently, Noah does not like the feeling of grass on his knees. Rather than just taking the plunge and standing up, he has devised a plan for walking around on all fours. It is really quite entertaining to watch.

"Aw, mama. Stop taking pictures of me. This is serious. The grass is touching my knees!"

{I'm surprised any of the pictures turned out, I was laughing so hard.}

gone fishin'

Mr. Gardner took our eldest son on his first Fishing Trip last week, and I sent the camera with him, so he could document this momentous male coming-of-age ritual. He brought me back these photos:

They didn't catch any fish...but it looks like they had a great time anyway. Maybe next time.