12 years

I walked into the Starbucks with one of my best friends, and whispered to her, 

โ€œSee that guy over there? Thatโ€™s my husband.”

Iโ€™d never seen him before in my life (but obviously knew I loved him! ha), and before I knew it, he had a chair pulled up to our table, was chatting it up with my friend (who gave him my phone number because I was too shy/embarrassed/derpy to say anything) and we had our first date at PF Changโ€™s a couple of weeks later. The date lasted five hours, and he kept asking if I wanted to order a bottle of wine. I had to decline because I was still underage, and we sat at the table talking for the longest time.

At one point, I misunderstood him and thought he said his last name was Marney. I thought Iโ€™d keep my last name at that point (sorry to any of the Marneys out there!)

And here we areโ€ฆ married for 12 years. It simultaneously feels like a lifetime and an instant.

Weโ€™ve been through a lot: moving, deployments, fur children, human children, severe reflux, TDYs, postpartum depression x 2, promotions, a huge job/life transition, the highest highs, the lowest lows, and hereโ€™s where we stay.

Iโ€™m so thankful for the little life weโ€™ve built together, for his steadfast dedication to our family and everyoneโ€™s happiness, and for these two little nuggets.

Every day, they still feel too good to be true.

Hereโ€™s to 100 more. ๐Ÿ™‚

xo

Thank you Kristi Harris for the photos!

Some wedding pics are in this post <3

Things I didn’t know about marriage

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40 Comments

  1. Nina Simon on August 19, 2019 at 6:10 am

    Wow! Much love to you guys! 100 more to come!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:24 am

      thank you, nina!

  2. Amanda on August 19, 2019 at 6:30 am

    Happy Anniversary!! xoxo

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:24 am

      thanks, amanda!

  3. Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers on August 19, 2019 at 6:46 am

    gina, these pics are gorgeous!! happy anniversary! love the love you two share! <3

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:24 am

      thank you so much, friend <3

  4. Jodie on August 19, 2019 at 6:55 am

    Happy Anniversary! Beautiful family photo. โค๏ธ

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:24 am

      thank you!

  5. Katie on August 19, 2019 at 7:03 am

    That’s the cutest “how we met” story! Congrats on 12 years!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:23 am

      thank you! <3

  6. Meagan on August 19, 2019 at 7:14 am

    Beautiful photos! Happy anniversary to you two!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:23 am

      thank you!

  7. Susan on August 19, 2019 at 8:02 am

    Beautiful family! Love how you talk of the highs and the lows! Love your open book! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:23 am

      thank you, susan!

  8. Janice O'Kane on August 19, 2019 at 8:39 am

    Happy 12th Anniversary! Your family is so wonderful on so many levels! Cheers – here’s to 100 more!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:23 am

      thank you, friend <3 <3

  9. Lindsay E. on August 19, 2019 at 9:45 am

    Beautiful photos, beautiful story, and a beautiful couple. Cheers to 12, and a lifetime more!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:23 am

      thank you so much <3

  10. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona on August 19, 2019 at 10:24 am

    Happy anniversary!

    • Crystal on August 19, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      Happy Anniversary! What a beautiful family ๐Ÿ™‚

      • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:22 am

        thank you so much!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:23 am

      thanks, girl <3

  11. Wendy Heath on August 19, 2019 at 10:45 am

    Happy anniversary!!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:23 am

      thank you!

  12. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on August 19, 2019 at 10:50 am

    Beautiful pics! Funny how you know when you know.

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:23 am

      totally! it’s so crazy how that happens

  13. Reenie on August 19, 2019 at 11:13 am

    Sweet how you met. Adorable photos.

    Happy Anniversary!!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:23 am

      thanks, girl. hope you’re having a great day!

  14. Emily F on August 19, 2019 at 11:50 am

    Beautiful. ๐Ÿ™‚ Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:22 am

      thank you, emily!

  15. Lori on August 19, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    Congratulations!! That picture of you two is GORGEOUS!!

    • Leah on August 19, 2019 at 7:40 pm

      So cute! Love how you guys met!

      • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:22 am

        thank you! i still can’t believe that’s how it happened

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:22 am

      thank you! one of my new faves <3

  16. Tracy on August 19, 2019 at 4:09 pm

    Happy Anniversary! You have a beautiful family! Blessed <3

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:22 am

      thank you- and thanks for being here for so long <3

  17. Jessie R on August 19, 2019 at 5:42 pm

    Beautiful family! Great photos as well ๐Ÿ™‚ Congrats on 12, such an accomplishment!

    • Fitnessista on August 20, 2019 at 12:22 am

      thank you, friend <3

  18. Stella on August 21, 2019 at 11:36 am

    That is my story with my husband too! He worked at Starbucks, he told his co-worker I was cute. My friend that I was with passed along my phone number (because I was too shy!) and well, the rest is our story! We celebrated 12 years together this year as well. We also have two kids, the same age as yours, but mine our both boys. Happy Anniversary!

  19. adrianna on September 1, 2019 at 7:26 am

    super late, but happiest anniversary to you guys! i’ve loved reading about your family and life over the years, and the pilot really seems like a true gem (as are you my dear!). y’all and the girls are just the absolutely cutest ๐Ÿ™‚ hope it was a great day filled with love and fun!

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