One very cold January 28th was commemorated five years later in sunny 80 degree weather in the presence of the pacific! Our anniversary was so special and fun. We spent the day Patrick and Noël style, playing a game that we fondly refer to as "You pick, you pick." The day is celebrated as we take turns choosing each successive activity. The result was a whale watching trip, lunch downtown Newport at The Crab Cooker, a hike and several mile walk along the beach in Crystal Cove State Park, grocery shopping at Trader Joe's, then barbecued tri tip, kale, oven-roasted potatoes, a champagne toast, and Sprinkles cupcakes for dessert. We both had to cool mild sunburns so we sat indoors with the breeze billowing in and watched I Love Lucy to conclude our wonderful day.
We began a tradition that we hope to repeat every five years, exchanging new rings. Patrick lost his original ring in China, and as often as people look to our rings to verify or marital status, we thought it would be important to have the wedding ring signify a bit more than eternal unity (the original significance behind a wedding ring). Preserving the significance of our rings, for us, means amending our vows symbolically every five years.
Patrick's ring is a replica medieval posy ring with the Middle English inscription: Feare God Oneli
He chose a simple, beautiful pearl ring with diamond chips for me.
We are delighted by the commitment and value reinforced and strengthened in two material symbols.
