Surprise! We had a Malibu vow renewal!
Juuussst kidding. These photos were actually taken in July of 2016 when a fabulous Mississippi photographer reached out to me about a road trip and wanting to snap some “vow renewal” style photos. She provided the boho dress, bouquet, theme, etc., and we just showed up and went with the flow. I got my hands on the photos this summer and have been holding onto them to share on our five year anniversary because it felt appropriate!
Christian and I have actually been together for 10 years. We always remember this because we started dating and I helped him pick out Bailey about a month or two after, so every May when she has a birthday she represents how long the three of us have been together. It’s kind of cheesy but also… pretty stinkin’ cute. Not that I’m (clearly) biased.
I thought I would share my five favorite things about Christian (and one annoying thing because we all like to laugh here, let’s be real) and vice versa.
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Five of My Favorite Things About Christian
1. He’s a great partner. Though we tease each other and joke constantly, when it comes down to it – he’s always on my team and will do anything to support me. In turn, he knows I always have his back.
2. He respects my opinions. He is clearly incredibly smart, but he never makes me feel less than or like my voice isn’t as valuable.
3. He just gets funnier and funnier. Not to toot my own horn (toot toot!) but I swear he gets funnier and funnier every year. I like to think he is having to expand his humor to keep up with me, but I feel like we laugh together every day. And considering we only see each other for like… three hours a day, I think that’s pretty great.
4. He’s willing to try anything and adapts to change well. I am very Type A and have to remind myself to be more spontaneous. I kind of hate change and will stick to “the old way” of doing things for as long as I can. C is the opposite. I appreciate his eagerness to learn in every area of his life. It helps me open up and try new things too.
5. His curls. Ok this is less meaningful than the other four things but he actually has lots of curls and I just think they’re the cutest ever. Maybe it’s because my mom and sister have curls and I naturally have stick straight hair. But when it’s warm, if we’re at the beach or if he doesn’t “style” his hair, he gets all these flips and curls and it was one of my favorite things about him in 2007 and it still is now.
Annoying | He rarely SITS on the sofa, he just lies down like it’s a bed and then is surprised when I sit somewhere else. Like… where else am I supposed to sit if your body is physically taking up the entire sofa!? He’ll ask me to come sit with him and I’ll say, “where?” and he’ll move his feet like… five inches.
And when he’s really tired he lies down on the bed parallel to the headboard. And I can’t get in. And he won’t move. Just lie down like a normal person I can’t handle it.
Ok that’s two things. Still love you boo!
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Five of My Favorite Things About Kathleen
1. Kathleen has self-confidence that is infectious. Her comfort with who she is encourages those around her, myself included, to embrace who they are.
2. She is very organized and meticulous with her calendar. This is particularly valuable since it makes up for a short-coming of mine.
3. Another aspect that is a ying to my yang is her extroverted personality. She brings energy to our home which is painfully absent when she’s gone.
4. She has a generous heart and is compassionate for people and animals who are less fortunate than she is. I’m sure it would be easy to get consumed with merchandise but it’s refreshing to see her happier to share with others than to accumulate more stuff for herself.
5. I admire Kathleen’s drive. Maybe its because I am still working to get through training on my first career while she is successful having juggled a pair of careers simultaneously. Her willingness to work hard and push herself motivates me to work hard as well.
Annoying | Her Housewives addiction. All the cities, every episode, multiple times because she was only half paying attention the first 3 times it was showing. These are followed by a commentary show followed by podcast recaps, some of which have infuriatingly bad impressions. Then come the reunions and next season previews. When she is away from the TV she is reading Andy Cohen books or dragging me around town to find some second rate liquor store that sells one of the character’s bad wine. It’s too much.
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You can see posts on year one, two (with lots of wedding photos), three and four… am I going to be sharing our 20th anniversary on this blog one day!? LAWD!
photos by Beth Morgan
1st Anniversary | 2nd Anniversary – with tons of our wedding photos! | 3rd Anniversary | 4th Anniversary | Tips for Being Married to an MD | 5 Ideas for Dating Your Spouse
I’d love to hear about some of your favorite things about your partner (or annoying – I mean, I’m not judging over here)!
Thank you so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend! XO –
Happy Anniversary!!! My boyfriend and I have been together for 4 years but known each other for 9, so I’ve gottten to know all his annoying things but mostly how big hearted he is, which is also kind of annoying. Lol. He’s so big hearted and always finds the good in any situation or people, which in return some people take advantage of him, so we complement each other since I like to take care of people but I’m cautious. He’s an amazing father and that made me fall in love with him even more when we had our son. And the annoying thing is that he can’t make decisions. About anything. Where you wanna eat? Anywhere is fine. Ugh! Lol.
This was HILARIOUS to me! I totally get it – C can be the same way. Love that you can recognize the good in it too though – you guys sound fun! xo
What a beautiful post!
Congratulations on your anniversary : )
Gemma
http://www.fadedwindmills.com
Congratulations!
http://www.underaytedray.co.uk
This is so cute, Kathleen! Huge congratulations on the five year anniversary – this post is lovely! I hope you and Christian have a wonderful weekend together!
I hope you’re having a great Friday!
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.com
Happy Anniversary cuties! Beautiful pictures as always 🙂
“…or dragging me around town to find some second rate liquor store that sells one of the character’s bad wine. It’s too much.” This part cracked me up! The Real Housewives addiction is real! Happy anniversary, you two!
I’m not going to lie… I actually thought this was SO HILARIOUS. And I don’t care what he says, I’ll never give up my Housewives – they make me LOL in my house by myself. Epic.
SO beautiful!
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
That headband/head piece is fabulous!
Also, let’s talk about that picture of you as a sun goddess. (Second from the bottom) OBSESSED 🙂
xx Naomi
http://huntingforpinkflamingos.com/
Haha – you’re the best!
Ohhhh girl that black and white picture of him holding you in the water is so SEXY! Love that you guys have so much fun and clearly have a ton chemistry. Happy anniversary!
SOOOO sweet, Kat! Beautiful photos. You and Christian remind me so much of me and my husband it’s hilarious! But seriously, how nice is the balance of a quieter partner that has strengths where you have weaknesses?! Complete yin & yang. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Happy anniversary! Xx, Amanda
http://roseoutlook.com/
Love these photos & this post. So sweet!
Also, props to Barnez for putting up with the Bravo obsession. My bf hates how much I watch Bravo too but I think he’s secretly coming around… 🙂
Happy Anniversary, y’all!
HAHA thank you! Um… I don’t care what he says, I’ll never stop watching Bravo. Ever.
This was such a sweet and hilarious post! I love hearing about all these fun facts and romantic gestures, hopeless romantic, ha! You two have such a beautiful marriage and I can’t wait to hear about that 20th!
Tabitha
https://shopsiloe.com/
You’re the nicest!
Christian’s comment about your Housewives addiction made me laugh so so hard in a roomful of people who are otherwise studying! I was literally guffawing cause his emotions and style totally changed from what he wrote above. And my bf HATES my addiction to reality tv and I have to watch with headphones on or else he makes the worst impressions of all the ladies. I’m literally still giggling as I write this but more importantly HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
HAHAHA Annie! I’m sorry… are we the same person? This comment has now made MY day. I have to watch with headphones too!!! I don’t care what these guys say… I’ll always love my Housewives. ERIKA JAYNE FOREVER.
Congratulations!! This post was really beautiful and loved hearing the things you love about each other and even the annoying thing as week!! My husband and I will celebrate 12 years next summer!! Love seeing couples put effort into their marriages and even when things are tough see them still love each other! It’s so important I feel.
“She brings energy to our home which is painfully absent when she’s gone.” Oof. That’s some good shit. This is so moving and beautiful. How wonderful to have a partner who can express how he feels about you. And you can see it in the way he looks at you in those pics. The one of him holding you in the water is going on my wall. It’s that good. JK. I’m not that weird.
My husband cannot express himself to save his life. It drives me crazy. I’d love to hear a “you’re beautiful” once and a while. BUT he is next level funny, whip smart and THE most supportive partner on the planet. We’d been together for 6 years already when I finally said, “I hate my career. I can’t do this anymore. I want to go back into singing.” It was a total lifestyle change, but he has never, ever complained or judged me. He comes to every single gig, then waits patiently and even holds my bags while I talk to people after shows. One time a show required a cash cover and he brought extra cash in case one of my friends forgot to bring some. So, he can’t verbalize his love, but man does he show it 🙂
So cute! Love the reasons both the love and the annoying! Haha! Hey why did you change our Instagram name?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbTO74bB45g/?taken-by=kathleen_barnes
Kathleen,
C’s comments on your Housewives addiction — HILARIOUS and exactly what I imagine my husband would write especially “… multiple times because she was only half paying attention the first 3 times it was showing.” I’m happy to know that I’m not the only one that needs multiple viewings to fully “absorb” the episode. Congratulations to a beautiful couple! Xoxo @fresh2ndn
I’m with you. I am always multi-tasking which is not always a good thing but you know what… I enjoy the repeat episodes so WHATEVER C!
Happy Anniversary! I’m a relatively new follower of yours, but I just love your style and personality! It’s also my 5 year anniversary today and I’ve been with my husband 10 years.. we met in college at UF (SEC!) We are taking a trip to Italy next month to celebrate. I feel like the more I see of you and your instastories, the more I can relate, as my husband and I have lived all over the country, are in a similar place in our personal lives (including our fur child), And my 3 ring set is also very similar to yours. Anyways, I enjoy following you and love your blog!
YES
We should blast How Many F••ks? when they complain HA
YESSS!
I love your blog so much! This post is really beautiful. I first started following you on Instagram but I love being able to read the stories about you and your husband, travel, adventures, etc. here. Your blog and social media posts are definitely may favorite and I look forward to seeing them every day. My boyfriend and I are thinking about moving to California next summer so I love seeing where you’ve been and the places you like out there.
If only my husband loved me as much as C loves you! I love everything about this post! It gives my heart all the feels. One day I’ll find that love:) For now, I’ll live through you two love birds!!! 🙂 Happy Anniversary darling!