I Wouldn’t Change A Thing

Today, Jason and I mark our 16th wedding anniversary. I know what you’re thinking… “She must’ve been 10 when she got married.” No, actually, I was 22 and three weeks out of college. A baby, yes. A child bride, not quite.

I look at Pinterest and see photo shoots my friends do of some amazing weddings, weddings I wish were mine. Oh, if I had it all to do over, I would do this, that and the other thing.

No. Actually I wouldn’t change a thing.

It was a at the beach, a week after a tropical storm blew through. A destination wedding before destination weddings were cool.

It was the only off weekend for Auburn AND Georgia. And Georgia Tech was playing away. (Those are the most important details, y’all.)

The morning of the wedding, the hotel decided to lay new St. Augustine sod right in the area where the aisle was. Do you know how hard it is to walk on fresh sod?

I did my own flowers, except the bouquets and boutonnieres.

My cake decided to lean at a precarious angle, causing friends to dismantle it while we were taking pictures. I was hardheaded and refused to cut it before it was time in the pre-arranged schedule.

Everything didn’t go according to plan, but at the end of the night, after everybody else went to the Village to see The Outfield play a concert, we were married. Til death do us part.

And to this day, I wouldn’t change a thing. Not about our wedding day, and not about our life together. Sure, it hasn’t been all roses and sunshine, but life isn’t always roses and sunshine. And it’s led us to where we are and led us to the life we’ve made.

We’ve defied the odds and laughed at statistics. People don’t survive things we’ve been through.

But we have. So far, we’re still standing.

Happy 16th Anniversary, Jason. Here’s to many more!

24 Comments

Allie Smith

September 26, 2014 at 12:31 pm Reply

Beautiful Jana. Happy Anniversary. Y’all have been through a lot and your right, the odds were against you (in the autism community there’s a 85% divorce rate!), but you beat them!

Jana A

September 26, 2014 at 1:17 pm Reply

Thank you, Allie. We swore we wouldn’t be a statistic. So far, so good 🙂

Allie Smith

September 26, 2014 at 12:31 pm Reply

Beautiful Jana. Happy Anniversary. Y’all have been through a lot and your right, the odds were against you (in the autism community there’s a 85% divorce rate!), but you beat them!

Jana A

September 26, 2014 at 1:17 pm Reply

Thank you, Allie. We swore we wouldn’t be a statistic. So far, so good 🙂

Peggy

September 26, 2014 at 3:56 pm Reply

16 years is a statistic in and of itself this day and age !! You’re Proving that the two of you together are STRONGER than one !! You know how much we love you both and you make a GREAT TEAM ! Love, love to both of you !!

Jana A

September 26, 2014 at 6:02 pm Reply

Thanks, Mama!

Peggy

September 26, 2014 at 3:56 pm Reply

Jana A

September 26, 2014 at 6:02 pm Reply

Thanks, Mama!

Shannon

September 26, 2014 at 4:45 pm Reply

What a wonderful story – and I know exactly where that beautiful picture was taken – and the Outfield!? I loved them! Happy Anniversary!

Jana A

September 26, 2014 at 6:01 pm Reply

Yes, The Outfield. We found out they were playing a show in the village that night so our wedding party left after we did and went. Let’s just say they weren’t happy about the planned brunch they had to attend the next morning!

Shannon

September 26, 2014 at 4:45 pm Reply

What a wonderful story – and I know exactly where that beautiful picture was taken – and the Outfield!? I loved them! Happy Anniversary!

Jana A

September 26, 2014 at 6:01 pm Reply

Yes, The Outfield. We found out they were playing a show in the village that night so our wedding party left after we did and went. Let’s just say they weren’t happy about the planned brunch they had to attend the next morning!