Celebrating Love

There is so much uncertainly in life no matter how many times you think things through. However, the one thing that I was always certain about was getting married to Andrew. In 2007 we decided to take a major step to walk down the isle and defy all social and cultural norms to start our story as a couple.

After we celebrated our first wedding anniversary I said to Andy, “If we make it to ten years, let’s go to Paris”. So, here we are – ten years later, happy and stronger than  celebrating our love in Paris.

We both have grown and learned so much during these ten years.

Lesson One: Love Conquers All

It seems so simple and cliché, but it is true. No matter the issue, big or small, good or bad we commit to getting through it together. LOVE is what we remind ourselves of and use our energies to be grateful for each other.

Lesson Two: Marriage is not a Fairytale

I am a hopeless romantic but learned that each day does not end with roses, rainbows and unicorns. There will be disagreements, challenges, surprises, illness, loss and sometimes life-altering moments. Not always in our relationship but stresses of everyday life. Marriage is real life and we have learned to take on life as a team.

Lesson Three: Communication is Key:

I am definitely a stewer. I prefer having  internal monologues work through what I am thinking and feeling. Usually it is my inability to clearly communicate my expectations that leads me to brood. “Come on Andy, can’t you read my mind!!!”  ?

Andy cannot stand the cold-shouldering. He is the logical, figure-it-out guy who wants to offer immediate solutions and encourages me to talk it out. Everyone has an off day and I do the same for him when I see a cloud looming. I have learned that having honest and open conversations no matter how difficult it can be (the truth can be scary) has brought us so much closer.

Lesson Four: Being each other’s Health Coach

A healthy couple is a happy couple. Although we are not gym buddies, we enjoy cooking healthy meals together and going for long walks on the beach.

Lesson Five: It is Okay to go to Bed Angry

The best is “Never go to bed angry”. But sometimes it is okay to go to bed with an unresolved issue rather than pushing each other to talk which can lead to someone saying something hurtful. Talking over breakfast after we have had some time to think always works best for us. Our communication skills are always better after we eat.

Lesson six: Supporting each other’s Dreams

We each have our own dreams and ideas of what we want to do with our lives, but we make it a priority to share and support each other to help make our dreams a reality.

Lesson Seven: Never forget to Cuddle

At the beginning or sometimes at the end of each day, we just lay in each other’s arms and not say a word. When I snuggle against him I feel a sense of peace. He is here. I am here. Everything is going to be alright.

Lesson Eight: Laughing Together

He can always make me laugh even at inappropriate times. Life is tough and having a sense of humor helps us see the lighter side of things.

Lesson Nine: Opposites attract 

We have come to realize over the years that we are more different than we thought.  We don’t always enjoy the same things.   Andy does not share my passion for travel and adventure and I don’t share his love for F1 and bicycle racing.  However, we appreciate each other’s differences. He is the anchor that keeps my feet on the ground and I am the wings that keeps his heart in the clouds.

Lesson Ten: Take lots of Pictures Together

“We keep this love in a photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts are never broken
And time’s forever frozen still” – ED Sheeran

Make memories and capture those precious moments.

Please feel free to comment on your relationship lessons below. Wishing you all a week full of love and light

Published by Nikki

66 thoughts on “Celebrating Love”

  1. Anjali Deval says:

    Wow….just wow. Boston is lucky to have our very own “George and Amal Clooney”. Thank you both for gracing our shores with such beauty and elegance ? Your post is so inspiring and these images ?? My favorite quote by Dolly Parton comes to mind “Storms make trees take deeper roots”. Wishing you and Andy much love and happiness always. Stay blessed Bella ?

  2. Ari Martinez says:

    You two look amazing together. #CoupleGoals ❤️I ❤️❤️ this post and ❤️❤️ these pics. Great love / life lessons. I can relate to #3, lol and I need to do more of #10. Thank you for sharing beautiful lady. Have an amazing week. Xx

    • Nikki says:

      Thanxs babe ? I really appreciate your comment and you stopping by. Have an awesome week as well. Xx

  8. Rina says:

    Aww how beautiful is this post to celebrate your 10 years together and what a perfect way by going to Paris! The hubby and I just visited a couple of months ago and had such an amazing time. We just celebrated 12 years together this August (not married but together) but I couldn’t agree more with your list. Marriage is definitely not a fairytale and it’s filled with ups and downs but as long as there is love and you are willing to communicate and compromise, everything will be okay =)

    xoxo
    Rina Samantha
    http://www.andshedressed.com

    • Nikki says:

      Thank you for your warm wedding anniversary wishes Rina. Andy and I really appreciate it. Congrats to you and your hubby as well. I am so glad to hear that the two of you had an amazing time in Paris as well. Wishing you both much love and continued happiness. ?

  9. the adventurer says:

    Congratulations on ten years! I loved reading through all of your lessons =o) I especially like the one about going to bed angry. It’s so true that sometimes you simply need to sleep on it and resolve the problem in the morning. Especially since in the evenings I get grouchy because I’m usually tired to the morning is better. You guys look so in love, I wish you the best xxx

    https://dreamofadventures.com/

    • Nikki says:

      We appreciate your anniversary wishes. Thank you beautiful lady ? Yes, it took us a few years to figure it out ? but I am glad we did. Everything is so much clearer in the morning. Have a good one ?

  12. Deborah says:

    Aww Nikki, these adorable pictures make marriage looks so easy and you guys look so lovely and full of love! Congrats on the wedding anniversary and may God continue to bless your union for many many years to come! Thanks for sharing these great lessons! I am definitely going to share them with my sister.

    http://www.chiclyyours.com

  13. Alyssa says:

    Oh wow! The only people I personally know who made it beyond their 10-year wedding anniversary is my parents and grandparents… so CONGRATULATIONS to both of you. Wishing you more years to come 🙂

    xx Alyssa // STYLE VANITY

  15. Len Parent says:

    OMG you two lovebirds are beautiful together. These amazing shots in Paris are so dreamy. Makes me want to go to Paris right about now. Haha! You are so beautiful, Nikki! Love your perfect beauty!
    Thanks for sharing it!
    Have a wonderful week!
    Much love, Len
    http://www.lenparent.com

  16. Marieta (ootd_in_style) says:

    Awww, Nikki! Congratulations to you and Andy on your 10th year and many, many, more years of love and marriage to celebrate!

    You teared me up and are so right about all there lessons. A good list to remember and try to live by!

    Have a fab new week!

    Xoxo,
    Marieta

    • Nikki says:

      Thank you Sharron ♥♥ Our anniversary lasted just for a day but the wishes sent our way make us feel special for the rest of the year. ♥♥

  21. Lovely says:

    Congratulations on your ten year anniversary darling, what a fabulous post and the pictures are amazing! Wishing you many more wonderful years to come! Xoxo
    Lovely

    • Nikki says:

      Thank you for stopping by Daria. I sincerely appreciate your comment and can’t wait to read your post. I love love ?

  27. Yasmin says:

    This is such an adorable homage to your relationship. I love the couples shoot – it’s such a great opportunity that more people should consider in Paris. Your lessons are spot on – especially the cuddling one. I feel like sometimes in long lasting relationships, people forget that regular intimacy (outside the bedroom) is a great way to maintain your closeness and fondness for each other.

    xx Yasmin
    http://banglesandbungalows.com

    • Nikki says:

      Could not have said it better Yasmin. Cuddles are not only a ways to experience intimacy but it has scientific reasons it makes you healthy too ? Always love hearing from you ? Enjoy your evening beautiful.

  29. Claudia says:

    first of all your pictures are awesome 🙂 and second – your lessons are absolutely true and it I really agree to all of them. happy 10th anniversary !! greetings from the hotel eggental where my husband and I spend our vacation 🙂
    Claudia

    • Nikki says:

      Claudia, thanks for taking the time out to write such a sweet message. Hope you and your hubby had an awesome time on your vacay ?

  30. Niki says:

    This is an amazing post Nikki! Your trip looked amazing and the pictures turned out so great. So much amazing advice. I especially heeded the advice about taking pictures together! Being a blogger can be hard for the guy (who would be taking our pictures!). Gotta make time for couples activities and a photoshoot together 🙂 10 years is something to celebrate. Wishing you many more wonderful years together! Thanks for sharing xoxoxo

    • Nikki says:

      Your wishes and comment made my day. Thank you Niki for dropping by. Hope you’re enjoying your time in Florida?

  31. TING says:

    Congrats on 10 years Nikki! Those stunning pictures blew me away once again. Just wonder who is the one taking pictures this time? You have some heartfelt lessons to share with us and I appreciate your sincerity.

    Forever Love Nikki and Andy!

    XX

    • Nikki says:

      Thank you Ting. I will carry the essence of your beautiful message in my heart. The pics were taken by Paris photographer Fran Boloni. I have his link at the bottom of the post.

  33. Lee-Ann Govender says:

    Wow fantastic post! Very inspiring! Congratulations my friend! Nel and I have celebrated our 10 year Anniversary as well this year! Love is priceless.

    • Nikki says:

      Thank you my beautiful friend. I am so glad you and Nelson got to spend your 10th anniversary in South Africa with family and friends. I saw the amazing pics. Cheers to LOVE babe! ??

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