today is our anniversary... three years married and five years together...
ramel and i met (as i said before) in college... he was a junior and i was a senior; both illustrators... we had a children's book illustration class together... of course, ramel made the first move, asked for my number, and for a date a minute later.... he lived on the south side of milwaukee, while i lived on the north side and he was always willing to take me home, regardless of the time... in fact, ramel said "i love you" first and all i could do was go, "oh".... i know, not the answer a guy is ready to hear right?! but he was the first guy to have ever said that... and goodness, i didn't wanna fall in love and get heartbroken! (with my kinda personality, it was hard to find that "right" guy)... anyhow, long story short... ramel and i have been in love ever since...
after ramel graduated, we decided to get married that summer... he tried to propose to me romantically in a park but i was busy playing on the jungle gyms... and by the time i sat down next to him, the police were telling us to leave the park because it was closed... so we walk home and i find a stray cat and insist on giving it some attention... and ramel kept rushing me... by the time we get to the house, he just hurries to get on one knee and propose! what mix of happiness and embarrassment (for being so oblivious to why he wanted me to hurry up)...
we both agreed to have a small wedding... i was never the type to invite everyone and their mama to events... i believe the people who are always there for you are first priority in inviting... i have a large extended family on both sides and i am not close to all my aunts, uncles, and cousins... in fact, how many knew how old i even am?! i know, it sounds a tad cold, but really, i just wanted the close people in my life... and same for ramel... we were even willing to just go to the courthouse... but my aunt delia said she'd make my dress... and help out with all the wedding goodness...
my aunt made my dress... bought ramel's tux... bought my dad's tux shirt... made all the party favors... helped cooked the food... and rented the room for us to marry in... but about the dress, it was (and still is) beautiful!!! she was so talented and such a giving person! she worked hard to make our wedding day special and so did our close family... as i look at the pictures, i am mixed with emotions... the same year she passed away unexpectedly and it was blow to the entire family... it is never easy to deal with such a matter and sometimes, when i talk to my mom or sister, the feelings come up again... she is greatly missed...
a year after our wedding, diego was born... the following year we bought a house... and this year?! we rest after all the work we do throughout the days and weeks... learning how to fix the house up and how to be creative in making money to do little things... saturday we were planning to celebrate but we need to paint the fence (it's mandatory where we live)... maybe afterward we will go to the movies or go somewhere to eat- something not too costly but just as sweet... i was never the girl that needed a lot of pricey goodies- don't want to have fancy stuff but have no electricity, ya know?!... i cherish what's from the heart and moreso, i cherish our time together...
ramel is my husband and i love him dearly... even though we have our arguments, i never regret the moment i gave him my number to the saying, "i do", and everything between and after...
*note... i am holding my niece in the 3rd picture (she was about 18mos then)... and those are my wonderful and beautiful parents in the last picture... i am wearing high heels too so you know my family is short :)
happy anniversary!!
Posted by: shoofly | July 19, 2006 at 04:36 PM
Beautiful story, adorable couple. Happy anniversary Ramel and Ellia.
Posted by: jen | July 19, 2006 at 05:48 PM
Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! Lovely wedding pictures, too.
Posted by: Jessica | July 19, 2006 at 05:49 PM
What a beautiful aunt Delia xx Her love and goodness to you and Ramel shows in the photos - what lovely memories. Happy anniversary :)
I've not been blogging for a few weeks but how great to come back and read your little ramblings once again. Loving Ramel's illustrations too :)
Posted by: Lindsey | July 19, 2006 at 07:15 PM
how beautiful - you make a stunning couple!!! Happy Anniversary my friend - have a FAB night (wink wink)...your Aunt Delia sounds like a beautiful person and you have your gorgeous dress to remember her by.
Posted by: Anastasia | July 19, 2006 at 08:32 PM
Happy Anniversary!!!! Lovely wedding photos and story, thanks for sharing. ^o^ I know how it feels to lose a dear one but I guess they are now in another happy world and will always be blessing us.
Posted by: li li | July 19, 2006 at 11:07 PM
Ellia happy anniversary it was sure nice to mention Delia on here even now while I am writing you I am crying can't see the key boards sure miss her.Very sweet and funny story about you and Ramel now I am laughing cause you sure are funny.Love you Mom!
Posted by: Nina | July 20, 2006 at 09:07 AM
Happy Anniversary! Your pics are beautiful!
And to think I've been reading your blog for weeks and had no idea you were so close to me (unless of course you no longer live in or near Milwaukee!) I'm in Brookfield.
Posted by: Great Dane Addict | July 20, 2006 at 09:11 AM
felicidades! what a beauiful couple! i find it funny how with my husband it seems like time had flown yet at the same time it feels like we've been together forever.
Posted by: risa | July 20, 2006 at 09:27 AM
Congratulations - you are a beautiful couple!! Enjoy many many more years together!
Posted by: Julie | July 20, 2006 at 12:02 PM
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for sharing your story. Such a loving aunt - I'm sure she will be with you always. Wishing you many more happy years to come!
Posted by: joyce | July 20, 2006 at 01:12 PM
Thank you for sharing your story of love with Ramel! Congratulations on your day!
Posted by: Heather | July 20, 2006 at 01:53 PM
Ellia,
You're beautiful!! Wow..your wedding looked so special and pretty. What a handsome hubby you got there missy. Congrats on your anniversary and may the Lord bless your marriage for many more years to come.
Posted by: Araceli | July 20, 2006 at 09:18 PM
happy anniversary! what a lovely story, full of blessings. wishing you many more.
Posted by: mrspilkington | July 21, 2006 at 08:23 AM
Feliz Aniversario!
Your pics brought out the Hispanic in me =P
Posted by: Madeline | July 22, 2006 at 01:50 AM
What a wonderful story babe! Her we are now another anniversary fast approaching, and I Still couldn't imagine life without you! From getting your number in September of 2001 to writing this, March 2009..you have been a dream come true!
I thank you for sticking by my side through some rough patches...I am still learning about this thing called love and I am still learning about you sweety! I love you dearly and it blossoms and grows with each passing day! I still day dream about you at times...
(you forgot about the gum -kiss- move I tried on you, and failed at! :)
Well sweety lookin' forward to seeing more post and reading your posts!
See ya soon when you wake up!
Love- the husband!
Posted by: Ramel | March 22, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Well it's 2011 and I still love reading this post! love ya babe! Let's make it a nice 8 years married this year and 10 years together!!!
Posted by: Ramel Hill | January 24, 2011 at 04:44 PM