So This is Love

“So this is love. So this is what makes life divine.” 

Sixteen years ago I married my best friend, the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, and love. We have shared so much of our life together for nearly 23 years now. I wish I could say that it has been one never ending fairy tale. Some chapters have, in fact, been magical, yet others are chapters that I have been happy to close. But included in many of our chapters is Disney.

I woke up this morning thinking about all the wonderful memories that Kelly and I have had together – celebrating our love, our family, our life – at the Disney Parks. So today, on our 16th wedding anniversary, I wanted to share of few of those memories with you!

February 2009

In February 2009, I had to attend a conference in Orlando. These two tagged along with me. Rhett was only two years old so, bless his heart, he got left behind. I was five months pregnant with Lainey Kate and the only thing I remember hating was the climb up those steps at the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. Not fun!

Even though I had visited Walt Disney World several times before, it was on THIS trip, seeing it through my child’s eyes, that I truly fell in love with the place.

December 2010

What is better than Walt Disney World?!? Walt Disney World during CHRISTMAS! Y’all, if you’ve never been during the Holidays then I highly recommend it. This was Rhett’s first trip. Sweet sister got left behind this time. Our rule was, “If you can’t walk you can’t come!”

July 2011

So funny thing – that rule we had about having to walk? Yeah, we broke that rule quick, fast, and in a hurry when Lainey Kate was two years old. We simply had to take her to meet her favorite characters and princesses. She doesn’t remember that trip, but I sure do!

January 2012

For our 10 year anniversary we spent a week at Port Orleans – French Quarter. We learned that the Disney Parks can be just as fun (if not MORE fun!) for kidless adults. We could navigate the parks much faster, but we still made time for our afternoon naps. Dinner every night was lobster or steak. I went home with an extra seven pounds, but I was a happy happy girl!

May 2013

I had visited in February with some girlfriends for the Princess Half Marathon, but I was willing to go again when Kelly told me that we joined the Disney Vacation Club. Our first trip as DVC Members was nothing short of magical! We stayed in Bay Lake Towers at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and our room overlooked the Magic Kingdom.

February 2014

In February 2014 we took the whole Murphy crew along for an extended Glass Slipper Challenge Weekend. We made priceless memories with Kelly’s parents, and the kids loved showing their Gran and Boobie all around Walt Disney World.

May 2015

Finally! Disneyland!!! The Pixie Dust Challenge, Mother’s Day, Disneyland Hotel, and our First Trip to Walt’s park.  It was amazing. I can’t wait to go back!

February 2016

“And once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.” Kelly and I renewed our wedding vows on Luau Beach at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. We had the BEST time just being together.

November 2016

Kelly and I went back again, just the two of us. (Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! And if you are gonna try it then please let me help you plan it!) Again, Disney at Christmastime is absolutely gorgeous. Add it to your bucket list.

May 2017

Family summer vacation, and as you can tell from the pictures, Thomas has now grown taller than me! We have plans to visit again in May 2018.

So today, we are not only celebrating our anniversary, but I feel as if we are celebrating our little family and who we have become. Sharing so many wonderful memories at the Disney Parks is just the icing on the anniversary cake.

Faith (in God), Trust (in each other), and Pixie Dust to a Happily Ever After!

Happy Anniversary, Murphy! I love you, to Infinity and Beyond.

Love, Me