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Name and occupation: Johanna, Chef de Cuisine
Partner’s name and occupation: Gesche, finance fairy
Our wedding profile: Gesche & Johanna’s crafty vegan faery wedding with extra sparkle, June 17, 2012
Well not that much has happened or changed… We’ve been traveling, getting more tattoos, and decorating our apartment. We decided we’re not ready for kids yet so we’re adopting another kitten. Our love life hasn’t changed much, neither has our every day life. Except that we have more time planning our time and future together now that we don’t have to plan a wedding anymore (we were engaged for almost three of the five years we’ve been together before the wedding after all). We’re both working full time jobs and between that and friends/family and the kittens, time just flies by.
Looking back all these years later, what do you remember most about your wedding?
The love, the laughter… and the desserts. It was a really fun wedding with some unexpectedly emotional parts. Whenever we think back to our wedding day, we remember it draped in the beautiful vines and flowers that decorated our ceremony spot.
Did you re-purpose any wedding decor or attire?
We did! We used some of it to decorate our balcony in the summer, as well as decoration around our livingroom windows.
Our crowns and Gesche’s corset have also been reworn several times to everything from costume parties and midsummer celebrations to burlesque events.
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What big challenges have you faced? What have you learned from them?
A couple months after the wedding, Gesche had a breakdown and went into half a year of sick leave due to depression and anxiety she’d been battling and suppressing for years. It took a lot of strength, love and patience but we got through it together. It’s not over and will always be something to work on, but it was a big step for both of us to finally start meeting our demons. It’s important to look out for each other and accept help when you need it.
How do you keep your romance alive?
Well, we’re both into romantic dates but we rarely have the money to actually put our elaborate plans to action, so we try to do the small things. When one of us comes home from work we always greet the other with a long hug and a kiss to say “Hi, I missed you and I’m so glad you’re home!” even though we might be exhausted or in a pissy mood, and we talk about our day.
We say “I love you” at least once a day, and try to express gratitude for one another when we remember to. It’s important not to take each other for granted.
Another thing we do is always fall asleep holding each others hands, even if we just had a fight. If we don’t, it’s hard to fall asleep.
What advice do you have for newlyweds?
Be accepting and honest with each other, and very important: don’t be grudging or envious about your partner’s plans with friends/family; let each other do fun things even if it’s not always with each other.
As for housekeeping, we don’t have much advice as we’re still learning to compromise and take turns (Johanna likes it super clean while Gesche doesn’t mind a mess). Mostly, Johanna does it until she’s sick of it and then yells at Gesche until she does it.
The key here (and with everything else) is to have an open mind, find a common ground, appreciate each other even if you don’t see the big deal in it, and take turns. When we fight, we don’t fight for long. We sulk, then scream at each other, but when the first tears fall it’s all over and we make up.
My hubby and I do the welcome home thing too (where when one of us comes home, the other one greets with a hug and then talks about what happened in the day).
I’m really sorry to hear that Gesche has depression. From personal experience, it is a really hard illness to overcome. :hugs: Just know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it can be done. I’m living proof of that. =) It helped me a lot to meditate daily on positive mantras and to keep a journal of all the awesome things that went on.
Still though, very cute couple!
So glad to finally see an update on these ladies. That last pic with them leaning against each other is über romantic.
Also, like Gesche I have been struggling with depression too (for about two years now) so I can totally relate.
And I would like to see a pic of the kitties (including the newest one)!
Yay this was totally one of my favourite beautiful weddings of all time! Glad you guys are still battling on together 😀
Such a gorgeous couple! Those face to face hand holding photos…swoon.
Also, this description of housekeeping is exactly like my Mr. and I.
“As for housekeeping, we don’t have much advice as we’re still learning to compromise and take turns (Johanna likes it super clean while Gesche doesn’t mind a mess). Mostly, Johanna does it until she’s sick of it and then yells at Gesche until she does it.”
Nice to know we’re not the only ones. 🙂
I felt the same way about that housekeeping description. I turned to my husband and said, “Look! We aren’t the only ones!” Made me feel so much better (since I’m Johanna in this situation).
I am so excited to see a follow up on these lovely ladies! It was one of my favorite featured weddings when I was planning. Such a beautiful wedding and such a beautiful happy family!
I can also relate on the depression, Gesche! I was diagnosed with depression shortly after our wedding and it’s something my husband and I work through every day. Just one day at a time, girl!
I loved this wedding! I remember during the marriage debate here in Maine, I frequently posted a link to the OBB article on them with the caption, “How can you want to deny this kind of joy to other people??” Luckily, the residents of Maine voted in favor of marriage equality. Yay! So glad to see everyone is still so happy and adorable!
Wish people could do the same here in OK, where it’s STILL illegal. 🙁
Oh, the joys of living in the Bible Belt . . . not.
Ni är båda sååå söt! I also have had problems with anxiety and wish you all the best. My husband and I both fall asleep holding hands when we are able ( he is a baker so works nights). Önskar er alla lycka