Today marks our ninth wedding anniversary. In a city like Los Angeles, where relationships can feel as fleeting as a pop-up restaurant, reaching this milestone is quite the achievement. It’s a reason for a grand celebration, yet here we are—without a plan. To illustrate the transformation of our anniversary celebrations, I’ve compiled a side-by-side comparison of the pre-kids and post-kids experiences.
Before Kids:
In the weeks leading up to your anniversary, discussions about how to celebrate your love are lively and filled with excitement.
After Kids:
You find yourself struggling to remember the date or even the month, suddenly realizing that your anniversary is just around the corner. The day before, while scheduling dentist appointments for the kids in your calendar, you stumble upon the reminder of your wedding anniversary.
Before Kids:
You reminisce over your wedding album, sharing laughter and tears as you revisit those cherished moments.
After Kids:
Your wedding album is likely lost in the abyss of your home, perhaps turned into a nursery or accidentally donated during a spring cleaning frenzy. If you ever manage to locate it, the nostalgia will be short-lived, interrupted by an apple sauce disaster courtesy of your little one.
Before Kids:
You meticulously plan a romantic evening, complete with cocktails, fine wine, and a reservation at the trendiest restaurant in town.
After Kids:
With only a day’s notice, you frantically search for a babysitter, finally securing one who can only stay until 9 p.m. Unsure of the current hot spots since your last child-free outing, you settle for whatever restaurant serves alcohol and has open tables, abandoning the notion of a romantic setting.
Before Kids:
You take time to prepare, treating yourself to a new outfit, manicured nails, and a fresh hairstyle, ensuring you look fabulous.
After Kids:
If you’re lucky, you might snag a quick shower while the kids nap, but shaving your legs? That’s pushing it. You’ll probably wear something that’s clean enough to pass and forget about those salon visits—unless you remembered to put in a dress request with your latest subscription box.
Before Kids:
Your anniversary dinner is a leisurely affair, filled with exquisite dishes and indulgent wine, leading to intimate moments that rekindle your passion.
After Kids:
You hastily eat, racing against the clock to get home before the babysitter leaves for her second job. Two glasses of wine later, you stumble home, counting the minutes until you can crawl into bed. Your “celebration” ends with a quick encounter, falling asleep before you can even finish expressing your love.
If you want to read more about parenting and the journey of love, check out one of our other blog posts here. And for those navigating the world of family planning, this article offers great insights into at-home insemination kits. For more resources on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Kindbody.
In summary, the journey of celebrating anniversaries transforms dramatically after children enter the picture. From elaborate plans and romantic gestures to the reality of surviving parenthood, each phase holds its unique challenges and joys.
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