one month married first date

one night in late may 2012, i noticed a voicemail on my phone from this boy i knew a little – ian wright. i’ll never forget how a smile stretched across my face as i listened to his message in my kitchen. “i was just wondering if you wanted to go paint at the beach with me on saturday!” i wasn’t sure if i was interested in dating this boy, but i was definitely interested in an adventure at the beach, and i was quite charmed by ian’s invitation.

we found a random path off highway one and trekked with easels, art supplies and a cooler full of food to a deserted beach. we sat on the sand and had a picnic and discussed important, significant things. we talked so long and hard that it was nearly dark by the time we remembered the object of our adventure (to paint) and the wind had picked up a little so we didn’t end up using the easels we’d carried through the sand.

ever since that day, we’ve talked about going back to that same beach and actually painting. last sunday, exactly one month after we got married, we set out to re-create our first date.



we weren’t sure if we’d recognize the trailhead along the pacific coast highway, and our eyes were peeled as we headed south from half moon bay. we had a couple of fake outs, but we found it! we were pretty excited, and it was so fun to reminisce and reflect on all the miracles that got us from that day over two years ago to where we are now. we took the path and set up a picnic, just like last time we were there. 



and just like last time, we got to talking (there was more kissing this time, though…). there are few things i love more than a good conversation with the boy – ever since our first date. when we realized the daylight was fading fast, we quickly put up the easels and ditched the paints for some chalk. our art was quick as the wind picked up, but clearly we created masterpieces!



holy moley it has been a wild ride since that first date. but i am genuinely grateful for every bit of it. every few days, ian and stand hugging in the kitchen and remark to each other that we couldn’t have imagined being married to each other would be this good. there are certainly some pretty intense challenges, but gosh we are glad to be each other’s.