Five years!

That’s right, this week Dave and I celebrated five years of marriage. What a gift! If you’ve read our blog for very long, you’ve heard us say this before, but seriously…  one of the best parts of the two-year bike tour was all the quality time we had together. How many couples have the opportunity to spend so much of their time together so early in their marriage? (Sure, we’ve met several couples who acknowledge that kind of time together would actually not be beneficial to their relationship… but we loved it!) We are grateful for the hours on end we had with each other, and even more grateful for the many lessons we were able to learn in those hours together. And yet we know that we have still a lifetime of learning ahead of us in our marriage.

In keeping with our anniversary/Pi Day tradition, we made a pie to celebrate, since we got married on March 14 (Pi Day—3.14). We decided on a chocolate peanut butter ice cream pie. Yes… that’s chocolate. Peanut butter. And ice cream. No going wrong with that combination.

Dave, adding the very important layer of Reese's magic shell topping. Yum!

Dave, adding the very important layer of Reese’s magic shell topping. Yum!

Yes, that's right... Moose Tracks ice cream going in the middle.

Yes, that’s right… Moose Tracks ice cream going in the middle.

We went out for a barbecue dinner at Edley’s, and barely left enough space to enjoy our pie for dessert. But we made room!

Having our pie celebration at Starbucks after dinner. Guess how long we've been married...

Having our pie celebration at Starbucks after dinner. Guess how long we’ve been married…

Dave picked me up for dinner with flowers in tow. I love feeling loved!

Dave picked me up for dinner with flowers in tow. I love feeling loved!

In closing, join me as I reflect on some of the highlights from this fifth year of our married life together:

–Meeting and hanging out with amazingly hospitable hosts/friends in Southeast Asia

Enjoying dinner with a new-found friend in Malaysia. Ong met us on our way into town and showed us some true Malaysian hospitality!

Enjoying dinner with a new-found friend in Malaysia. Ong met us on our way into town and showed us some true Malaysian hospitality!

–Boxing up the bikes for the last time on the Tour

In Singapore, Dave masterfully packed the bikes up into the smallest boxes they have ever fit into! Practice makes perfect, I suppose.

In Singapore, Dave masterfully packed the bikes up into the smallest boxes they have ever fit into! Practice makes perfect, I suppose.

–Riding into our homeland… the USA!

One of the best "border shots" of the trip! Back in the homeland!

One of the best “border shots” of the trip! Back in the homeland!

–Exploring some beautiful national parks out West

One of the great views from the Rim Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park.

One of the great views from the Rim Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park.

–Spending a week with family in Denver

Dinner at Casa Bonita in Denver with the Garth crew.

Dinner at Casa Bonita in Denver with the Garth crew.

–Crossing the finish line and reuniting with family and friends

Finishing the ride in Auburn this fall.

Finishing the ride in Auburn this fall.

–Spending the holidays with family

Christmas with the Kirbys in Abbeville.

Christmas with the Kirbys in Abbeville.

–Learning to love and encourage each other in this more difficult season of unknowns, and being able to put our vows to practice: “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

Hard to believe it's been five years since our wedding day! Time flies when you're having fun...

Hard to believe it’s been five years since our wedding day! Time flies when you’re having fun…