Happy Birthday!

To my main squeeze,

You are handsome and rugged.

You have crazy rough farmers hands, but a gentle heart.

You have a deep genuine love for everyone.

You think everyone is the most amazing person you have ever met =)

You and I dream up some crazy things. I love it. I am so excited for our future farm. 

You are my favorite to photograph. I feel lucky. [I think you could be a REI model].

You put hard work into everything you love: God, farming, family...

You make life SO fun! [You even change bocce ball rules to make it more interesting for me]

You are my favorite to banter back and forth with. We say such silly things.

You remind me to be humble with all the humbleness you are.

You pull over to help anyone with car trouble. Sometime they are just out of gas, but you also change their oil and fill up all their fluids. And leave them feeling better about humanity. Ha =)

You love to go above and beyond in giving your time, energy, and talents.
You are passionate about the things you do. 

You are my hero.

A huzzah to you, my love! Happy Birthday!

Love, 

Your Rose

July 31st, 2011 Evening

Bryan had made surprise reservations for us at Portland City Grill. This place is jaw-dropping. You walk into this industrial skyscraper, take the elevator 30 floor up in this classy elevator, and when the doors open there is the sound of people enjoying good food, conversation, and a gorgeous view. Bryan had told them it was our anniversary so they sat us at their best table, which overlooked the river, mountain, and 180 degrees of city. They even decorated the table with confetti and rose petals. It was incredible!

Also, look at the food! We had Apple, Candied Hazelnuts, & Gorgonzola Salad...

Fennel, Thyme Roasted Vegetable Cannelloni with lemon pistachio pesto, mozzarella, and arugula salad...

Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken Breast with vanilla infused passion fruit sauce, grilled greens, and sushi rice...

And dessert that had fresh berries and a pesto sauce on it that was sooooo delicious [who would have thought?]

But the best part was the view...

Our 1st anniversary

It's hard to believe that one year has passed us by already. What a blessing it has been. Bryan found a job working on an organic farm and we moved into our first place together. I am continually amazed at the man I married. Always full of joy and always full of grace.

People are right when they say that the first year is the hardest. It is hard. You put a lot of work in, but you also receive so much in return. Our skills in communication, forgiveness, celebration, and patience have been fine tuned with the grace of God.

This year has been a year of laying the foundation for the years to come.

It is worth the work.

My dearest husband,

You amaze me. I can't believe that after knowing you for six years, I am still learning more and more about the depth of your heart. You have protected me and given me a safe place to lay my head each night because of the hard work you do out on the farm. I have so much pride in telling people that you are a farmer because to steward the land, to work hard, and to give to the community is something to be praised. You have a servants heart: continually loving on me, our friends, our family, and our community. You are always the first to volunteer your time, your heart, and your skills. These things I knew before I married you, but what I didn't know was the depth to which these stand. They are all constants. Something I cannot say about myself, but I am truly grateful of the example you have been to me.

Love,

Sam

Honey

We were so blessed by Bryan's family to receive two weeks worth of timeshare for our honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas. Here's a little bit of our adventure!

Just arrived in Cabo

The Marina

Parasailing (I thought my life was over)

Somehow every time we signed up for a boat trip or Catamaran cruise, we would be reassigned to go on a pirate ship. We kept ending up on Pirate ships!

Swimming with Dolphins
(they charge obscene amounts for the pictures they take of us with the dolphin, so instead we took a picture of their picture)

Dune Buggies. SO much fun!

Back home ready to start life together.

Polaroid Perfection.

Above is the typewriter that Bryan gave to me as a wedding present
an hour before we were about to get married.
In it is a love letter written by him.
I was in tears; it was so beautiful.

And probably the best Polaroid ever taken...

Love,
Bear & Rose