8 years ago today it rained. Not a huge downpour, but one of those consistently overcast days where the rain comes in waves. Where the air smells fresh and clean and the sky is that lovely pale dove gray with patches of white clouds.
We were living out in Banks then and the 45 minute drive into Portland seemed to take forever. I looked over at Mike, holding his right hand as he kept his left on the steering wheel and concentrated on the road. We smiled. We laughed. I worried (just a little) that we were running late.
“Cami, stop worrying… the boat can’t leave without us”
I breathed a deep sigh of relief. He was right of course, this was one time that the party couldn’t start without our say so. The entire event was waiting on us. We made it to the eastside and parked the car as close to the dock as we could and then we hurried down to the waiting riverboat.
The photographer was there waiting, so were our families but most of our friends had yet to arrive. As I lifted the hem of my long white dress off the ground to keep it from getting wet and dirty on the dock I smiled to myself. I needed to keep my white dress clean but the giant black boots I wore underneath were perfectly suited to stomping in giant puddles and walking in the rain. Mike and I got to the boat and from then on most of the day was a blur. We were pushed and prodded by family into photos, we answered questions, met the ship’s captain and tried to steal a moment to ourselves but then it was time.
Mike disappeared and I fixed my lipstick and adjusted my veil before my father took me by the hand. We walked up the narrow stairs single file before I bent my arm around his and he walked me down the aisle.
8 years ago today Mike and I said simple vows in front of a riverboat captain and a gathering of our family and friends.
I was never nervous. I was never scared. I was in love and overwhelmed by the joy I felt. Not for the moment, which passed quickly, but for the life that we were sharing.
CamiKaos 
Crying now…
Happy anniversary to both you and Mike. Here’s to another 8 * 8 years together.
ah… that was a really nice account.
*sniff*
It rained on our wedding day too! In fact, it’s rained on the wedding days of nearly all the really great couples I know. I think it is a really good omen.
<3!!!
excellent. Happy Anniversary to both of you and many many more
Congratulations. May you have many more years together.
-Stu
Congratulations! I hope there is many more to come!
Happy Anniversary to you both! I hope you were well enough to enjoy your day! Now if you will excuse me, I need to dry my eyes and blow my nose….that was a great post Cami – thank you for sharing your happiness.
It really was one of the most beautiful days ever. Congrats! Happy Anniversary! I’m all smiles remembering that day.
I remember it very well, it was one of the sweetest days of my life. We were so happy to be able
to sneak away for a few days so we could be there. Congrats, and many, many more.