The Best Uncommon Wedding and Anniversary Gifts

Fun fact: I am terrible at remembering to give gifts. I am the person running around the day of the event looking for a fun and unique gift. When, and if, I don't find a gift that wows me, I end up going with just a card until I can find something I feel will be meaningful.

Insert UncommonGoods. This company is right up my alley. They were founded in 1999 and are based out of Brooklyn. They aim to "feature unique designs and handcrafted gifts created in harmony with the environment and without harm to animals or people." Another one of my favorite things about them: their lowest paid seasonal worker starts at 50% above the minimum wage. You all know I have a soft spot for making the world a better place! Being a teacher, I always think about what jobs my kiddos will have when they grow up and it is nice to know of a company who aims to have happy employees!

Now, can we talk about this gorgeous carafe? Insert all the heart eyes here. I want to keep wine it in all the time just so I have an excuse to keep it out on display. Chris even mentioned how "pretty" it was.

UncommonGoods offers a wide range of unique and totally cool anniversary and wedding gifts. And, there's more! You can even personalize a number of items for your significant other, or the bride and groom. Who doesn't love something with their name on it? See all of their personalized gifts here and other unique wedding gifts here.

And, since this post can't end without talking about the star of the show, I might as well call out my new obsession: these TV dinner trays! Y'all, if this doesn't bring you back to your childhood then maybe you  never were a child? I love my food not touching and, I mean, what a cool gift for a couple! These would make great anniversary gifts for you and your honey. If you're like Chris and I, we are guilty to watching TV while we eat and now we have the trays to make the experience complete. You can find more anniversary gifts here and even personalized ones here.

So, next time you're in a bind and need a good gift for someone, head on over here and I bet you'll find something unique for everyone!

Our Adventures of Biking the Golden Gate

Ever since Chris and I went to San Francisco in June I have had some emails regarding what we did while there. One thing people have been asking a lot about is biking the Golden Gate. Let me just tell you about that little adventure (eye roll).
For starters, Chris and I are not bikers. We make be '(ex) college athletes' and look like we are in shape, but I assure you, we do not bike. I told Chris days before we rented the bikes that I wanted an electric bike. I always remember spin class in college and not being able to walk for days after. You know, the non-bikers waddle? Ya, I didn't want that.
So, we show up to the rental place, I tell them I want an electric bike, and the chick looks at me like I'm nuts! She casually says, "Oh no! Ya'll are young and in shape. You'll be fine!! Believe me, people much older than you use regular bikes and they do great."
Now, I had gone on a morning run the day earlier and seen the hills we would be biking to get to the Golden Gate and to us Texans, those things basically qualified as Mount Freaking Everest. As the San Franciscan says, "Oh, you'll just have to bike up a small three story hill. No big deal."
That's not what my butt and legs were screaming about five minutes in.
Can I remind ya'll that I grew up on a dirt road, walked everywhere in college, and haven't owned a bike since I was five...when I got my first Barbie bike. That should give you a background on my biking skills. I can ride a bike, but let's not get crazy here, kids.
And just like that, we were off on our adventure. We were about 5.4 miles from the Golden Gate and I'm thinking, "Okay, when I ride the bike at the gym, I can do five miles in like 15 minutes, so we should be good." Ha!
I was Chris's laughing stock for the entire day of bike riding. We start off having to bob and weave through all the fit people running everywhere on our path. Then we hit the park by the bay and the hurricane force winds made me feel like I was a hamster on a wheel; essentially my legs were moving, but I was going no where. It was awful. The path was gravel and I couldn't get good traction. The wind was making me swerve everywhere. I kept telling Chris I was ready to give up and he quickly reminded me, "This was your idea!"  A mom pushing four kids in a stroller passed me, a guy walking 82 (it was actually like 17) dogs passed me, I even think a guy biking with his two kids in a trailer thing passed me. It was pitiful. All the while Chris is popping wheelies around me and telling me what gear to switch it in to. 

Finally we reach the bottom of the bridge where everyone stops to take pictures. Perfect time for my butt to rest and me to gain feeling again in my legs. We had been biking for almost an hour and not yet made it up to the bridge. If this blog contained cuss words, you could insert many of them right here.
After snapping pictures and downing water, it was time to tackle the 'small' three story hill. What rental-bike-lady failed to tell us was that, while biking up the world's largest hill in your bike lane that was two feet wide, there would also be cars whizzing by your at the high speed of make-you-poop-your-pants miles per hour. Chris kept yelling at me to scoot over, and I kept yelling back that this was "the worst idea everrrrrr!" And then I saw another resting spot and my heart felt hope. My thighs we screaming and by butt bones, well, they were about as sore as all get out, and, yet, we still hadn't even made it onto the actual bridge.

We, of course, take more pictures (the more picture, the more resting time), and then decide the easy part is finally upon us. A short, level path straight to the bridge, so we set off on our adventure, sore tushes and all. We enter the east side of the bridge (they only have one side open at a time...) where this wide (sarcasm) bike lane was available to us, and the other 1,000 people. 


Let me give you some estimated measurements. The total path was about eight feet wide, half for the bikers, half for the walkers and runners....going in both directions! So there were runners, walkers, and bikers going both directions on the bridge that is freaking really high and windy and you have goob 1 and goob 2 trying to navigate this monster of a bridge without taking anyone out. It was stressful and one of those 'check off my list' type things. I was constantly ringing my bell in order to warn the poor pedestrians that it was not a good idea to walk 4x4 on a path that you should walk single file.

We stop at the areas where you have to walk your bike, we take some pictures, Chris freaks me out by getting too close to the edge, I kinda start to panic when I really get to thinking about how high I am, and then we decide to tackle the second half of the bridge. 

We finally, like 1.5 hours later, make it across the bridge. Then we discover the steep and windy road that leads you down into Sausalito. I just about wanted to have a heart attack riding straight down this winding hill, with my speed topping out at probably 15 miles per hour with fast car after fast car at Nascar speed racing on by. About halfway down I pulled over into some rando's garage because I had to take a breather. I had never in my life rode a bike on a road, much less on a busy, narrow, steep road.

After a quick breather, we make the final trek down into Sausalito and my oh my was it worth it. That little town is such a gem. I felt like I was in some other land that almost made it worth the bike ride over. Next time, I'll take a cab, but it was such an adventure. 

Did I mention this was on the day of our two year wedding anniversary? It will be an anniversary for the books!
We ate lunch and then walked around town and caught the ferry back to the city. I couldn't sit on my seat for the ride to the ferry, if that is any indication as to how my booty felt. 
Once back, I must have gotten my second wind because I convinced Chris to try and bike from the Ferry building to the Painted Ladies. After consulting with a police officer who said it would be "doable," we decided to go for it. 
Literally, five minutes in, we turned around, bee-lined it straight for the rental place, returned our bikes, and didn't sit for the next week.
 It was a day I'll never forget.
And if you're feeling up to it, you can follow me:
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Important Letters

Dear Chris,

This Sunday we will celebrate our first year of marriage by eating freezer-burned cake, watching our wedding video, and exchanging a few gifts. One particular gift I bought for both of us and I am super excited. I went with the "paper" theme and I am very happy with my purchase. I can't believe a year ago we were getting ready to celebrate the most perfect day of our lives. Time has flown by!! There is only one thing I would change and that is saying we will have kids after we have been married a couple years...if the years go by this fast we won't be procreating until 2020! Love you my sweet hubby. I can't wait to spend the rest of my days with you and your hilarious remarks, silly actions, and unconditional love. You're my world.

Wedding Video {here}

Wedding Pictures {here}, {here}, {here}, and {here}

Dear Sam,

Little brother. Oh my how you have grown. I feel like it was yesterday we brought you home from the hospital in California. I told Mom and Dad I wanted you to stay in my room that night, so they willingly put your bassinet in my room. Good thing it had wheels because I will never forget you crying in the middle of that first night and me rolling your butt right back into Mom and Dad's room. It was from that moment on I never got good sleep again. Whether it be you waking me up to play with you or you bouncing your basketball in the living room at 6am on a Saturday morning, I never slept in again. I am in awe of the young man you have become. From an incredible athlete to salutatorian of your graduating class it brings me to tears to think of how proud I am to be your sister. You've got a bright future, buddy, and I can't wait to be there to support you every step of the way.

Dear Texas Heat,

Slow your roll. It is only June and I bake the moment I step foot outside. When it is too hot to go to the pool, you know it is a problem.

Dear Teaching Exam, 

Please be kind to me. I am not sure I am smarter than a fifth grader...I have a master's degree, but somehow I forgot what a complex-compound sentence is and who led what war. All I ask is your questions be similar to the ones I am studying or I am in big trouble.

Dear Sleep,

I would appreciate if you were consistent. Not sure what your problem is, but you like to only last about 5.5 hours and we all know Sarah with no sleep is no good for anyone. Please come back into my life, please.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

No Matter What, He Is Mine

I decided to link up for the whole wedding hoopla series over at Wifessionals. This week was to talk about hardships in your first year of wedded bliss. Since our big one year is Sunday, this topic is fitting and helps me reflect on this past year.

Let me start by saying Chris is my very BEST friend. He knows me inside and out, he knows how to push my buttons, and he knows how to cheer me up.

When you live with someone you are bound to have a couple of arguments here and there. 

In the beginning the tiffs were about little things and I would get worked up, then he would get worked up, then it was no fun for anyone. One thing we learned is that Chris likes to talk about the problem now, and I like to calm down, gain composure, take a walk, and talk about it later...when our mouths are not fire-hydrants spewing out anything and everything. It is important to me to never say anything that would hurt Chris in a way that he would carry it with him, so in times of argument I always try to watch my words. 

As the months went on, we figured it out. I knew if Chris was just irritated and he knew if I was and I would not let it bother me if he was just having a bad day.

When we were putting up our IKEA entertainment center, I will never forget, Chris stepped on his drill bits box-thingy. It dumped over and bits went everywhere and it hurt his foot. I was ACROSS THE ROOM and Chris got frustrated at me like it was my fault he wasn't watching where he was going. It was in that moment I realized what this whole bickering with your husband is about. I laughed so hard at the fact that Chris had no one else to blame but me, because blaming himself obviously was not an option :)

He got all worked up (the way men do) and I was calm-cool-and-collected and explained to him that it was outrageous for him to think I made him step on all those tools. 

After he calmed down he apologized and realized he was a little dramatic. 

It is moments like that when I think back to how I would have reacted if that happened the first month of our marriage. I would have probably got mad and griped back at him and the whole (tiny) issue would have escalated.

Thank God we are growing together and learning how to cope when the other person is not on top of their 'being nice' game.

I can't tell you how awesome it is to be married to your best friend. Even when I am as mad as mad could get he ALWAYS makes me laugh and I HATE it. "I just want to be mad for awhile..." Does that song ring a bell? Well that is me. Sometimes I just want to be mad, but Chris ALWAYS, 100% does something ridiculous that can't be done without an outburst of laughter.

As much as I hate that he makes me laugh when I am mad, I know God gave me Chris because he knows exactly how to handle me. He knows it only takes a good laugh to get over the issue. On the flip side, I know Chris won't ever take the blame for anything he does, so I have to let him come back down to earth and realize he is sometimes wrong. I know Chris, (gaspppp), you are sometimes wrong, honey :)  

We now know these things and it makes it so much easier to get through issues.  

And I constantly remind myself that the grass is never greener. There is NO couple out there that doesn't argue, or bicker, or have moments that we all wish never happened. We are human, and although Chris and I have had a pretty simple first year of marriage, that doesn't mean it was easy.

But, who ever did something because it was easy, right? That isn't any fun ;)

Marrying Chris has been the most rewarding thing in my life and the toughest thing all wrapped up in one. Marriage is hard, but putting Him first and looking at the fact that you get to be with your best friend forever (talk about a BFF!) makes it all rainbows and butterflies. (But sometimes the butterflies aren't flying and the rainbows aren't shining, and that's okay.)

One year ago today...

...this happened.   Read all about our engagement story {here}.   Yesterday was our 6 month anniversary. Get a wrap-up of our wedding day {here}.   Have a blessed Monday :)

         

6 Month Wedding Anniversary

Holy cow, peeps! Chris and I have been married six whole months today. Where has time gone?!? I can remember our special day like it was yesterday! It was pure perfection.   Watch our wedding video above to get the a wrap-up of the deets on our day. Warning: Chris crys. It may never happen again in our lifetime, so I cherish that moment! Please excuse my squeaky voice as I am bawling as well. I don't normally talk like a weasel, if weasels could talk...   I don't think I have wrote a proper "day-of-the-wedding" post, so here we go.    The day started with my Mom and I going to the golf club to check on decorations. We were treated to breakfast (they were so incredibly nice to us!) and just relaxed. Surprisingly, tensions were very mild and everything was going well. My Dad, uncle and aunt helped with decorations and were so helpful with everything. Thanks y'all!   And as any typical groom, Chris and his "guys" went golfing all morning. Glad they were able to "relieve their stress!" Golfing was followed by poker. Oh, the life of a groom on his wedding day.    Around 10:30 AM the hair and makeup team arrived and it was time to start getting pampered. Angie Williams did an ah-mazing job. She is a miracle worker!    The girls got a little card game in as well. Hey, the boys can't be the only ones having fun!  

 

My friend Leigh made us those adorable sack lunches. She is an amazing cook and whipped up some chicken salad, fruit, chips, and peanut m&m's. Thanks Leigh!!

The boys didn't even think about lunch and rumor had it that they stuffed their faces with lunchables, chips, and cheese balls. Ya know, the ones that come in the HUGE tub and last a life time? Ha!

When everyone was ready it was time to head outside to take group pictures. It was quite a project keeping Chris and I from seeing one another. We opted NOT to have a first look. I don't know why, that is just one thing I was not budging on...and if you watched the video you'd see that Chris was crying bawling when he saw me. That is the reaction I was going for and I don't think that would have happened had he seen me before the ceremony. I win :)

  

 After we got our group-pictures on, it was time to have a first look with my Daddy. Yes, I am very much  Daddy's little girl. Here are a few shots, but you can read all about the details {here}.   

After the sob-sesh, it was go time. I just remember being surprisingly calm. I felt like I had shed all the tears in my body and I was in no mood to cry. That is unusual since I usually am sobbing at any wedding. Ya, I'm that girl.

Our ceremony lasted four minutes. FOUR minutes. I swear when I read the ceremony sheet during our pre-marital counseling session it seemed way longer. Everyone thanked us 1000+ times for having the quickest ceremony ever. We have to say, we were pretty pumped to get to the party, and food!, as well.

More group shots were taken and then it was officially party time. The Tuckers know how to party.

Our wedding coordinator does this really awesome thing (that I suggest for all brides and grooms!) called the candlelight dance. Everyone is instructed to go outside because the bride an groom are going to have one last dance, alone (minus the couple cameras :)). It is perfect for everyone to grab their sparklers, and it gave Chris and I time to just be alone for the first time all day. We didn't get caught up telling every person bye and we were able to just run thought the tunnel of sparklers, kiss our family goodbye, and be on our way. Best idea ever.

 All good things come to an end and it was time for Chris and I to head on out to Kauai. Ahhhh it was a perfect day!

I would be lying if I said there wasn't a tear shed writing this post. This was truly the best day of my life and I am so blessed to have the most wonderful husband, family, and friends. My parents and Chris's parents were angels through the whole process and I can honestly say that not ONE thing went wrong. Nothing. Ok, maybe me throwing my bouquet in the hanging fabric was a slight oops (see video above), but other than that, it was seriously perfection. And for those wondering, our wedding started on time. What wedding starts on time?! God definitely was watching over us that day.

Happy six months to the best husband I could have ever asked for. There isn't a moment that passes that I am not smitten by your continued goofiness and love for your wife. You are my best friend and I can't wait for all the adventures that lie ahead. I love you, Christopher.

You can see more pictures of our wedding {here, here and here}

You can read about our honeymoon to Kauai {here, here, here, here, and here}