Celebrating Marriage Series: 3rd Anniversary

It is our hope for our blog followers who are approaching marital year number three, an abundance of blessings filled with good fortune and prosperity. Although the newness of marriage is somewhat in the rearview mirror, celebrating the third year together is still just as important in formally honoring your contractual vows to each other.

This anniversary symbolizes security, flexibility, and endurance for maintaining a joyous home. A couple’s patterns, whether positive or negative, are becoming ingrained as each others’ past or newly developed habits are framed within their daily living. By now, overcoming challenges and obstacles as a team has been realized.

The themes of this milestone year are:

COLOR – WHITE OR JADE
When deciding on gifts white suggests purity while the alternate color of Jade signifies abundance.

TRADITIONAL – LEATHER

Leather is associated with durability, resilience, strength and flexibility which by now has been tested through life’s events of highs and lows experienced by a couple.

Creating bespoke leather gifts is what we happily offer and here are a number of suggestions to consider:

– Messenger bag or a tote bag

– Custom leather bracelet

– Leather luggage tags

– Leather covered vase

– Leather monogrammed coasters

– Leather photo album

– Pair of leather gloves

– Leather gun holster

– Travel or storage trunk

– Leather covered journals

– Leather covered boudoir photos book

– Leather straps for watches, guitars, cameras

– Leather Instrument Case

– Dopp kit

– Passport covers

– Personalized Shadowbox to protect collections and personal memorabilia – military medals, significant events in your spouse’s life, wedding memories, sports memorabilia, autographed items, books, coins, jerseys, cigar bands, event tickets, and wine corks

– Wrapped cigar case with a matching monogrammed whiskey glass

– Leather covered flask set

– Leather valet

MODERN – CRYSTAL OR GLASS

Either represents the themes of beauty, reflection, and the fragileness of a still-growing relationship.

Gifts would include vases, wine glasses or champagne flutes, candleholders, Swarovski crystals for jewelry, or a wine or spirits decanter set

GEMSTONES – PEARL, JADE OR MOONSTONE

Pearls symbolize purity, wisdom, and beauty needed for building upon the success compared to the many layers and years it takes for a pearl to form in an oyster, mussel, or clam. The other alternate precious stones tied to this anniversary is Jade that the Chinese view as a protective stone or Moonstone which also symbolized protection, particularly for a couple going through child birthing years.

Jewelry made from these stones is the most obvious gift-giving choice for women in the form of pendants, a full string of pearls, earrings, or a ring. For men, mother-of-pearl inlaid in cufflinks, a watch, or bracelet is a lovely jeweled choice.

FLOWER – SUNFLOWER/FUCHSIA |
Symbolizes adoration, loyalty, and longevity

The run of the mill purchase of a vase of sunflowers would be appropriate, however, why not present a sea of golden sunflowers by arranging a day or weekend trip to a sunflower locale to satisfy your wanderlust cravings while still practicing safe distancing habits

The following locales were chosen because of their ecosystem motivations to benefit wildlife for food sources and pollinators. These locations are open to the public for photos and just to admire flowers in bloom. Each website has Covid-19 updates for visitors planning to visit.

L & A Farms in Paris, Illinois – Gorgeous summer sunflower maze open to the public, along with produce and meats It is located165 miles south of Chicago and 90 miles west of Indianapolis. Closest airport is University of Illinois Willard Airport (CMI) in Champagne, Illinois which is a little over an hour’s drive

McKee Beshers WMA Sunflower Fields in – Maryland’s Department of Natural Resource manages this 2,000-acre of public lands with a mixture of woodlands, fields and green-tree reservoirs. Home to wildlife including deer, wild turkey, waterfowl and over 200 species of songbirds, reptiles and amphibians. Seeds are planted in the spring with an anticipated bloom in mid-July,

Forks of the River WMA Trails in Knoxville Tennessee – 50 miles of trail connecting multiple parks and cultural sites within Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness View their sunflower fields extravaganza in July located on the McClure Lane Trailhead.

Neuse River Greenway Trail in Raleigh – epic lovers of sunflowers and picture-perfect event sunflower show happens in the months of June and July in Raleigh, North Carolina. Visit Raleigh gives a wealth of information on staying in the city while planning your sunflower adventure. -AJ