Dear Matt,

When I think back to where we both were five years ago, I can’t help but laugh a little at myself. I thought I knew what love was on January 8th, 2011, but I had no idea.

I’ve told you before that if you asked me who was the luckier one when we were getting married, and if I’d been honest, I’d have said you were the luckiest, because I’d thought I was the “total package.” But the longer we’re married, the more I realize that I was the one who get the better end of this deal. I’m still not sure how I tricked you into marrying me.

I thought that marriage was falling in love once and choosing to stay in that love, but I was so wrong. In fact, our marriage has been a series of falling in love with you over and over. During that first year and a half of marriage when I was so very busy trying to make it as a photographer, and you took care of making dinner every single night, I fell in love with you again.

When you never once complained about doing the dishes, when you did the laundry every week without asking, I fell in love with you again.

When you pushed me to dream bigger and supported me fully as I pursued a passion, I fell in love with you again.

When you gave me grace time and time again, loving me at my MOST unlovable, I fell in love with you again.

When you led me quietly and with a servant’s heart in a way I never knew I needed to be led, I fell in love with you again.

Every time you saw a need and met it without prompting, every time you served my parents, brothers, grandparents, friends with selflessness and no regard to how it may inconvenience you, I fell in love with you again.

You see, Tiger, our love story isn’t one instance: it’s a thousand love stories cobbled together into the greatest adventure and the greatest joy I’ve ever known.

I promise to love you and honor you for as many days as we’re blessed to have together. I promise to never stop trying to learn what true grace looks like, and to extend it as often as you need it. I promise to try, to try until my time on this earth is over, to show you the same kind of love and honor that you’ve shown me these last five years of marriage.

You are the greatest gift I’ve ever been given, and I love you so, so much.

Justin & Mary DC elopement-style vow renewal

Photo by the incomparable Justin & Mary, who we were lucky enough to have document our elopement-style vow renewal yesterday in DC! Dress by BHLDN, hair & makeup by Alison Harper & Co :).

Five Years

January 8, 2016

  1. Kara Ruskin says:

    This is amazing, Abby. You and your husband are such an inspiration!

  2. Kelly says:

    Abby! Your words are so beautiful. This image is to die for! I cannot wait to see more!

  3. Lyn says:

    I didn’t order onions with today’s lunch…
    Just beautiful! And bea-u-tiful photo!!

  4. Lauren says:

    Abby this is just beautiful!!!!

  5. Dad says:

    Thanks for letting us share the moment!

  6. All of the heart and love and blessings possible to you both. So thankful to know you!!

  7. Katie says:

    I love this so much. Happy Anniversary!

  8. Emily Gerald says:

    so much love!!

  9. Karen Field aka Mom says:

    I cried during the ceremony. Your father, leading you, Matt’s father, praying over you, your brother, Ethan, finally getting to be there in person and not just in voice. It was so short and so lovely! We are so proud of the people you’ve become and are becoming! Thanks be to God!

  10. Jean says:

    Yes, you brought tears to your Granny’s eyes. You both were so blessed to be brought together by a God who loves you both so much that he gave you this gift of love. Love you both!

  11. Anna Kerns says:

    Congratulations on your vow renewal!! Thank you for sharing the beauty of what marriage was intended to be! Your heart is so beautiful, and so is the love you share!

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