Tonight was my sister-in-law’s engagement party. Although, I don’t know if she’s actually my sister-in-law considering her dad and the husband’s mom haven’t been married. They’ve been together forEVER though… if California recognized common law marriage, I’m sure they’d fall under that.

The party was very nice. It was held at an aunt’s house which was gorgeous. It’s as nice as a million dollar tract home can get! It’s up on the hills just on the north side of the San Fernando Valley so there’s a pretty great view from the backyard. It was catered (informally so) and come the toasts, it made me really wish the husband and I had gone the traditional route instead of just up and eloping, leaving everyone else in the dust. I know wedding festivities get expensive, but it’s the whole making those memories with family & friends as the date approaches.

Our two families didn’t really get to know one another until way after we were married. We don’t have photos of us smiling like goofs, happy to be approaching that ceremonious day… I know a lot of people actually prefer that, but I’m kind of a traditionalist and would have loved to be fawned over and bring the families and friends together over the love my husband and I have for each other. It’s a bummer to me.

Don’t worry, though, I don’t spend my time dwelling on the lost memories (and gifts and debt lol) that a wedding would have brought. It’s only when it comes up for others that I feel that whim of loss. Of course, I’m excited for the betrothed! My SIL and her fiance are adorable together. They compliment one another so well! It’s almost gross how cute they are lol.

I do have it in the back of my mind that I’ll get a celebration near one of our upcoming anniversaries in the form of a vow renewal. Not this year, but maybe next year. This year would’ve been nice since it’ll be our 5th wedding anniversary (OMG!) and it would’ve been a nice milestone to celebrate in that fashion, but every year is a milestone for us at this rate! We were married at 19 & 18 (me & him, respectively), so that puts us at a disadvantage since I’ve already seen a handful of young marriages end. We’ve had our issues and we’re still working things through, so really, I’m taking it day-by-day at this point.

I’d say a big thing going in our favor is we don’t have children yet to think & stress about while we’re working on things together.

PS: NINETEEN DAYS UNTIL MY BIRFDAY! It’s now officially AUGUST :D