Tattoo update!

A lil' over a year ago, I surprised the hive (and my 'rents) with my...um...massive (?) piece of art. I've had quite a few of bees ask me how it's been going, if it's done yet, etc., so here's an update. My tattoo is definitely not done yet, but I have had much done since last time you saw it.

Just a quick recap...
My first session: Say goodbye to the ol' stamp tramp.

Last time you saw my tattoo, it looked like this.

See that space on my left shoulder? I had planned to get our wedding venue there. I thought it would be a nice way to commemorate our marriage without permanently putting names and dates on me.

Our wedding venue (photo by Frank Amodo)

Here's a close up of how our wedding venue, the temple, looks so far. Still have a lot of shading to do. Can you see the resemblance?

And now for the current photo:

Art work done by Cooper from Visual Addiction

As you can see, I still have a bit of way to go. Lots of coloring and shading still needs to be done, but all of the outline is done (phew!).

30+ Years of Bliss

Today, good ol' Saint Patrick's Day, is my parent's 31st wedding anniversary. I don't know the whole story, but the jist of it is, they paid minimal bucks and eloped in California. Remember, I said eloping ran in my family.

My parents have been a very good influence on me and my views of marriage. I definitely look up to them and hope to base my own marriage off of their own. The secret to their marriage...date night! Since I could remember, my mom and dad have ALWAYS made time for each other. Every week they go out. Every week. Obviously when I was younger, it was more of family time, but now that my brother and I are grown and out of the house, they still go out one night every week. Sometimes it's to dinner, or out for some drinks, or a movie or a show, but EVERY week they go out. While we can't necessarily afford to go out every week, we can definitely make time for each other every week. They still cuddle on the couch together and hold hands when they walk down the street. I love it. It's nice to know that 30+ years later, you can still act and love like teenagers.

Here's an extra pix, since they look kinda gloomy in their marriage photos. Cheer up mom and dad, you got married (and had me ;o) )!

Much better! :o)

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!!

Two Years.

Woot, woot! Today is our 2 year anniversary.

"But wait, Mrs. Mek....wasn't your wedding just last year?!"

Umm...yeah...let me explain about that.
December 2007, I got engaged. Ironically Mr. Mek was ready to get married and I was...hesitant. Not that I didn't want to marry him, I just wasn't sure I wanted to do it NOW. He was hinting for a Summer 2008 wedding, I was pushing for a Summer 2009 wedding. I just wanted more time. We compromised and agreed to a March 2009 wedding. After deciding to get married in Hawaii, there were a few other factors that led us to our date in March; my brother and cousin both would be on spring break from college was the main one, along with not wanting to get married in Hawaii in the middle of summer. Either way, we chose March 2009 as our projected wedding date.

In January and February of 2008, Mr. Mek and I had some turbulence happen in our life. I won't get into details, because it is quite personal, but I will say that it's the type of happenings that make you realize how much you really, truly love someone. At that point I knew that Mr. Mek was someone I could live without, but I didn't want to. So with a 2009 Hawaii wedding in the making, we jumped the gun and ran to the court house and got married on our wedding day...a year early. Since most of our family already knew that we were already planning a wedding, we didn't say anything. It wasn't intended to be a secret, but our lack of sharing this lil' detail ended up becoming a huge secret in the long run.

Most of our family and friends know the truth now (I'm sure there are a few who haven't heard). I can't speak for Mr. Mek's family, but I don't think it was a real surprise for my family; this is just the sort of thing that I would do. :o) My parent's got married in California for $20, rings bought from a pawn shop...it's in my blood. :o)

Being in the military, we do benefit from our lil' elopement. We get dependent pay (which we saved and put towards the Hawaii wedding) and Mr. Mek has use of all my military benefits (health care, PX/BX, free gym, access to posts, etc.).

I do apologize to the hive for keeping this lil' tidbit from you, but it wasn't just you, we kept it from EVERYONE. Even our own parents. Still love me? How about if I share some photos?

March 05, 2008 @ the court house. The REAL deal.

Yes, we are dorks that like to color coordinate. :o)


March 05, 2009

photo by Frank Amodo

and now...

Ironically, we're spending our anniversary in the city of elopements...Vegas, baby! Off to gamble our future children's college fund away...

Anyone else getting married before the wedding?