FIVE YEARS!

Clay and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary on Thursday. This blog has documented the last three years of our marriage (and growing family) quite well. I thought I would recount some of our courtship. There are parts we definitely don't need to relive but here are some good highlights!

First official date: Fernbank Museum Black Tie Fundraiser

June 2003

It was a Roarin 20s/Swing theme. Clay says I asked him. I had the tickets through work. He offered to be my date. I think that means he asked me. Anyway, it was a fabulous night! I learned that Clay was a great dancer and since that was at the top of my list in husband qualities we were off to a good start! The jacket was his grandfather's!

My sister's wedding- November 2003
Our relationship was still "undefined" at this point but I knew he had to come with me. He agreed and the weekend was a blast! Clay fit right in with my family and I loved having him by my side!

New Year's 2004

Country Club in Franklin- It was a great start to what would be a great year for us!

These might be my favorite of Clay's pants!

Valentine's Day 2004

Clay planned a trip for us to Savannah

80s Prom party- Never a dull moment with Clay!

March 2004

Clay asked me if I wanted to hike the Grand Canyon- hike down, camp overnight and then hike back out. "Sure, I would love to!" It was the biggest lie I have ever told him. I hate to camp and I don't really like to hike. But I was out to impress and since we were in the middle of marathon training I knew I could do it. The GC gets an average of FOUR days of rain a year. Guess who was there for TWO of them? It was pretty miserable but I survived. A good test for our relationship!

And then we celebrated by driving to Vegas! Hot showers and warm beds- we couldn't drive there fast enough!

April 2004- Nashville

The second biggest lie I ever told Clay was that I liked to run. He wanted to do the Country Music Marathon. I signed up for the Half Marathon. It turned out to be quite addicting as I have since run three. It was also great to train together!

After the race, we got to meet Brad Paisley!

July 2004

Clay kidnapped me on a Monday morning and drove me to Charleston (my favorite city ever). He proposed on the Battery. It was perfect!

I came back to Atlanta late that night to find my room decorated by my roomie, Emily!

We enjoyed being engaged for about three days before the planning began! We decided to get married in Costa Rica- just the two of us- but come back and have a big party in Knoxville with all of our friends and family...