On my 21st birthday, I met the man that I would marry. He was a “Firstie” at the Naval Academy, and I was a senior in college. It sounds like the start of a storybook tale, and that day really was one. Our wedding day was another day that dreams are made of, and today is our anniversary.
After all of these years of blogging, I have something to share that I have never posted here before – and that is a glimpse of our wedding day. Randy and I got married at the United States Naval Academy Chapel, in the year of the Academy’s 150th anniversary. I pulled out some pictures from our hope chest, and scanned them to share with you – I’m sorry the photo quality isn’t great. A friend and I were recently commenting on how different wedding photography is today – I would have loved today’s photo-journal style of photography back on our big day. I had no idea then where I would be 18 years later, but I find it interesting to see that I chose rhinestones for my wedding jewelry then. I guess things haven’t changed after all these years; I still love a dose of sparkle!
The first line of “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” – from the Navy Hymn is inscribed above the stained glass.
Tiffany stained glass windows above the altar.
The traditional “tap” with the sword and a “Welcome to the Navy!”
My husband in choker whites, an arch of swords, a drizzle of rain for good luck, and my family and friends all around – who could ask for more? We filled the day with many traditions. One Navy tradition is cutting the cake together with the sword – to this day, my boys are fascinated that my husband actually has a sword. My 4 year old son has told strangers (as recently as this weekend), “My Dad has a Navy sword!”. A favorite memory is how our best man saved a piece of wedding cake for us to enjoy back in our honeymoon suite, when the excitement of the day had died down and we could actually sit down and savor a bite. Wasn’t he thoughtful? I’m flooded with great memories when I think back on this day.
Thank you for joining me as I remember my red letter day. I have been blessed.
Cindy, xoxo
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
What a magical day and incredible setting. And how beautiful/handsome you and Randy look. And that hasn’t changed. Thank you for sharing your special day. Happy anniversary!
Thanks for sharing. What a beautiful venue for your wedding. That stained glass is gorgeous.
Happy Anniversary and enjoy your day!
Thank you for sharing! Smiled the whole way through reading your post.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CINDY & RANDY!! What a beautiful and memorable post. I’m so glad you shared it. I loved seeing the younger version of you two. Just beautiful.
Happy Anniversary to you both! Cindy you look so beautiful and Randy is so handsome in his dress whites! It does all sound like a storybook to me, what wonderful memories and traditions to hld onto! That is so cute about the boys being impressed with Randy having a sword, that’s awesome in any boys eyes I think. Have a fun day today!
Love your wedding day photos. They are beautiful. You look so beautiful in your wedding dress. Randy so handsome. So nice of you to share them with us.
Happy Anniversary. Beautiful pictures. You have not changed a bit in 18 years. I meant to post on your head shots. Those were fantastic shots.
Happy Anniversary, Dear Cindy!! Love seeing those beautiful photos!
What an awesome cathedral to be married in. You both look incredible – Randy so handsome and you really have not aged in 18 years Cindy! Quite an accomplishment with 4 young boys. Have a happy anniversary! : )
This is definitely a fairy tale 🙂 You both look so happy and content with each other 🙂
Happy Anniversary again!
Happy Anniversary! Beautiful photos of a beautiful couple! Thanks for sharing!
You made a beautiful bride then and you still make an exceptionally beautiful person now, Cindy! What a beautiful wedding you and your hubby had, and quite unique! I love how you incorporated Navy traditions into your wedding day. Happy, happy anniversary to you both 🙂
what a sweet post! Happy Anniversary – enjoy your day!
beautiful photos, happy anniversary to you both, enjoy your day
Happy Anniversary, Cindy! I think I mentioned before that my husband is a grad also. Many years before yours! The chapel is such a beautiful church. For many years I helped with the flowers on the altars and also made the wedding bows that are on the pews. I don’t remember when I started doing bows for the chapel but those in your pictures may be mine! Oh, and nothing more handsome than a mid in choker whites!!!
Such beautiful photos. You make a sweet couple. Happy Anniversary to you!!!!
Happy Anniversary Cindy! You both look so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your sweet memories. Enjoy your day!
So beautiful Cindy!! Happy anniversary to you and your groom! I have tears in my eyes! May God grant you many years of health and happiness!!
Actually, Cindy, I think you’ve BOTH been blessed! Happy anniversary!
Blessings on your special day, Cindy!
Thanks for posting more pictures! They are beautiful! It was a wonderful day.
Happy Anniversary, Cindy! Thanks for sharing such special memories with us!
Thanks everyone for your well wishes – we had a really nice anniversary! 🙂
What a fabulously romantic wedding! Definitely the fairy-tale variety! You two are so gorgeous– I gotta say, I love you with dark hair! And I love the bangs! Thanks for sharing this– really made me smile. Here’s to the next 18 years.
I married a man in uniform too and there is nothing quite like it! Beautiful photos!
What a treat this was…lovely photos and it is pretty cool that you all have a sword…a swashbuckler for a husband is way cool!