Seven years

Seven years ago today, at this very moment I was sipping cocktails with my new husband. I was married only hours before and I was feeling more beautiful than I had in my entire life.

I was beyond thrilled to make E my husband. Never had a doubted the fact that we'd end up together. Since we starting dating when we were 17 years old, by the time I was twenty (three solid awesome years) I knew he was the man for me.

And you know what? It's been fourteen and a half years since we started dating. Seven years to the day since we walked down the aisle as husband and wife, and still, to this day, I've never doubted my decision.

For those who know E know he is so wonderful. Shy and reserved when you first meet him, funny and silly with his children. Honest and good and more loving than anyone I've ever known. This man is seriously the best of all the best.

But I've typed all of this before. I love him more than the day I married him, and seeing him father my children with 100% devotion and love makes me fall deeper and deeper in love.

But for my anniversary post I don't want to go on and on about how much I adore him. I want to go on and on about how much I adore Yosemite.

Yosemite is where E and I decided to get married. It was a tricky decision, my parents were just signing divorce papers and E's parents were hoping for a local Utah wedding.

However once you go to Yosemite you get it. It is MAGIC. Most of our wedding ceremony was written by John Muir, another Yosemite lover. Quotes like "But no temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite. Every rock in its wall seems to glow with life" mixed effortlessly with "to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

Yosemite is a temple. It is amazing. And at the very center of Yosemite Valley lies the historic Ahwahnee Lodge. E and I walked in years earlier and we just knew, knew that if there was any way in the world, we wanted to get married there.

National Parks and historic lodges just kinda click with us. One day we'd like to see all the National Parks in the nation (yes, all!) and stay in every single historic lodge. (Funny thing is, we never stayed in the Ahwahnee, after we paid for the wedding we didn't have another penny to our name!).

Here are a few of my favorite Yosemite photos I took seven years ago, during that dreamy week in July. If you haven't visited Yosemite, please add it to your "must see" list. You won't regret it.

This is a view of Yosemite Falls from Glacier Point. Isn't it just lovely?!! Do you see the upper and lower falls?

Oh The Ahwahnee, I just adore you. Photo credit, nps.org. 

The Ahwahnee is decorated in a Native American Art Deco theme. The golds and reds of the hotel helped us choose gold and red as our wedding colors.

Another view of this amazing room. Photo credit, nps.org.

The Solarium sits right at the back of the hotel looking over Yosemite Falls and beautiful secluded meadows. E and I were lucky enough to marry in that meadow, and have our reception in this incredible historic room. Photo credit, nps.org.

View of Yosemite Valley with Bridal Veil Falls over my shoulder. Do you see Half Dome in the way way back middle?

On one of our last days in Yosemite we hiked the challenging Panorama Trail. This view of Nevada Falls was so breathtaking. The roar of the falls simply took your breath away.

Vernal Falls is possibly my favorite waterfall in the park. I wish Vernal wasn't such a dorky name, I seriously wanted to name James after a Yosemite Waterfall.

Taft Point is an easy hike on the top of the canyon, but not for anyone scared of heights.

Half Dome on the left, then Nevada Falls (upper falls) and Vernal Falls. This view seriously is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

Hiking the mist trail below Vernal Falls. Best way to end of hard day of hiking.

I posted twice today! Scroll down for Juliet's 17 month update.