today's the day for bridal twirl, 12.0!

and it'll come later, i promise)

twelve years ago today, i waited in the wings with my beloved firstborn for my cue to start walking down the aisle.

and then it was time...

to read the vows i'd written just that morning to my fiancé in front of everyone i loved most in the world:

followed by a super cheesetastic sand ceremony during which the three of us became a family forever:

and then sealed it all with a kiss.

made it officially official with a signature on the marriage license:

posed in front of a cake that i'd thought was going to be so beautiful in its simplicity (but instead turned out a little TOO plain, oops):

took our very first family portrait:

and headed off on a totally natural-looking walk on the beach in all our finery.

isn't it crazy that the bean is now the same age her sister was on that day?  here we are in one of our family shoot photos from this summer's trip to hawaii.

it's so hard to believe it's been twelve whole years since our wedding day.  since then we've seen lots of highs and lows, but riding them together is one hell of a good time.  i can't wait to see what the future holds for us...all of us.