On this day every year, I usually skim our wedding album looking for a cool photo of me and Mike Hoard to post up next to a shot of us celebrating our anniversary. But this year as I was skimming the album, a bittersweet thought hit me. Several of the people in these photos are no longer with us. Which is crazy. That people can exist then, just… not exist anymore.
This revelation had me paying closer attention to the backgrounds of these photos than I had, well, probably ever. While being the center of attention is cool and all, it was really nice to take this moment to focus on those who came to support and love us on that day. Yes, we’ve lost friends and family in the past 7 years.
But we’ve also gained so much more in that time! If people existing and then just not existing anymore is strange, it’s a million times more strange (but wonderful!) that a person can not exist and then just suddenly exist! Our photos featured couples before they got married, parents before they became parents, even children before they became older siblings. There is so much incredible life happening around us at any given moment, even during times of loss, and I am so grateful that Mike and I have had the immense opportunity to experience so much of this life with you all.
What hit me more than absolutely anything else as I skimmed these photos was the unfiltered joy on so many of our loved ones’ faces. I’m proud that we as a couple were able to provide some of that joy on that day. You’ve all certainly provided it for us.
So this year, instead of ONLY focusing my anniversary post on me and my (brilliant, handsome) husband (who I love even more now than I did on that day 7 years ago), I’d like to celebrate each and every one of you who we’ve counted as friends. Thank you all!
Helga without the H 