As of today, September 28, 2014, Sam and I have been a couple for eleven (11!) years. It all started with 16-year-old Sam passing a note to 14-year-old me that said, “Will you go out with me?” in the middle of a church service. (Cue “Awws”) Those teenagers had no idea what was ahead of them–good times, bad times, and a lot of crazy fun in between.
Since we are about to embark on the biggest adventure of our lives thus far with our move to Chicago in three (OMG!) days, I wanted to take a look back at all of the adventures we’ve had over our eleven years together.
Young Sam and Lauren in 2004. 😉
Gatlinburg, TN June 2006
Married in Pigeon Forge, TN, June 2007
Fishing in Kentucky Lake, September 2007
First trip to Chicago in 2007–when our love affair with the city began. 😉 October 2007
Hanging out with Honest Abe in Washington, DC, December 2007
One year wedding anniversary in Myrtle Beach, SC, June 2008
Second trip to Chicago in October 2008
New York City, February 2009
Cincinnati, OH, June 2009
Third trip to Chicago–May 2010. 😉
First trip to London, June 2010
First trip to Paris, June 2010
Celebrating at the Bellagio-Las Vegas, May 2011
Universal Studios in Los Angeles, CA, May 2011
Boston, MA, May 2012
Second trip to London, at the National Gallery, January 2013
Touring the Heineken Factory in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, January 2013
Cologne Cathedral, Cologne, Germany, January 2013
Snow and a medieval castle in Brussels, Belgium, January 2013
Standing among the throngs of (drunk) well-wishers outside of Buckingham Palace after the birth of Prince George, July 2013 (Third trip to London)
Sam trying to throw me into the English Channel in Brighton, England, July 2013
Second trip to Paris, France, July 2013
Christmas in New York City, December 2013
On Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA, July 2014
After so many great experiences we’ve gained both by ourselves and with friends and family, we are now setting off on our most daring venture yet–living in what is clearly our most favorite (US) city on this list! I can’t think of a better way to start off our next decade together!
Outside of our new apartment complex in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago!
Bold, Joyful Life 