I picked up Ben from the airport yesterday and we headed for dinner. Not only did we not see each other for a week, but it is also our anniversary Sunday! We decided to celebrate Saturday. 
Ben has been wanting to try Houlihan’s for a while so we decided to hit it up before we leave. This is the worst picture of me ever and I don’t know why I’m making it public…
This was Ben’s coaster! I thought it was appropriate since he did put a ring on me 🙂 
We started with…
Grilled Shrimp azteca with guacamole, sweet corn tamale cake and
pico de gallo
I needed veggies and ordered the White Bean salad to start. It was more beans than greens, which was a bummer. But, that dollop on top is goat cheese, which Ben did not think was a bummer 🙂
Tuscan White Bean Salad goat cheese, tomatoes, balsamic & foccacia crisps
I am usually not predictable with what I order, but you can bet that if I am eating out in Maryland I will order crab cakes! I had to, they’re just so good 🙂
JUMBO LUMP CRAB MELT A baked jumbo lump crab cake on grilled sourdough bread with cheddar cheese and tomato, creole remoulade sauce
The crab cake was delicious, but I expected nothing less 🙂
Ben ordered a Guinness, which I think is a very pretty beer. This picture doesn’t do it justice.
Prime steak & wedge salad gorgonzola, polenta croutons, spicy pecans, bacon, grilled
asparagus, roasted golden beets, red onions, buttermilk bleu cheese dressing
Those golden things in the middle of the plate are polenta croutons. I stole one and want to make these at home! 
After dinner we took a walk and then it was time for cake! Even though our anniversary is today, we had to cut the cake last night because it has been burning a hole in my fridge!
Originally, I was supposed to be out of town this week too. Ben was going to FL and I was going to go to CA. But, when we found out we were moving I canceled my CA ticket and changed it to a one way at the end of this month.
Since he thought we would both be out of town, Ben ordered the cake to be ready Friday.
I’ve had a Chocolate Decadence Cake in my fridge since last Friday. And I didn’t eat it even though I was here by myself all week. Miracles apparently do happen, and that was one of them 🙂
I have joked on more than one occasion that the only reason I got married was for guaranteed cake in a year. When I found out they cut our anniversary cake at our wedding I was not a happy bride. But, I’m totally over it since it started a new tradition of Anniversary Cake!
My piece, which I enjoyed with milk.
While I was having my cake photo session Ben caught a Lightning Bug for me to see. We don’t have these in CA and I love them! 
This morning we started our day with a walk. I love Sunday morning walks with my groom. 
I should have worn my “Bride” shirt, so lets just pretend I did.
Despite all my love for my hometown, I have to say that Columbia is the best city for running, walking and biking! There are so many paths and lakes to run around. I am going to miss this too.
Doing scary stuff (like moving across the country) is so much better when you have someone with you. We have had the craziest year, but it was significantly better because we were together 🙂
June: 
July: Drove across the country, with a few stops on the way…
August: 
September – We went on our honeymoon to Belize! 
October – Halloween as Fred and Wilma
November – Family visit for Thanksgiving
December – Ben (who’s from Florida) and Monica (who’s from Calfornia) experience their first snow storm.
And it was all down hill from there.
Okay, not really, but this last year did teach us a lot about what we think is important and how and where we want to live.
January – Disney Marathon
February – I was injured and Ben helped me get over it stretch. 
March – All I can find is this picture of me waking him up 🙂 They can’t all be winners.
April – Cherry Blossoms in DC
May – Wine in the woods and Princeton Reunions
Now I’ve gotta cake to attend to 🙂
To be continued…
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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Thanks for sharing pics from your wedding day- they were gorgeous. You looked stunning! They were almost as good as the pic of you guys as Wilma & Fred- I LOVE IT! 😉
~Christie
Congratulations on your 1 year!!!!
Too cute! You and Ben look like you have had a lot of fun!
Beautiful post Monca! Hope you guys enjoyed you anniversary.
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Happy Anniversary, Monica!
Give me a tissue! How beautiful. That cake looks to die for too!!
I love all your precious moments, how sweet are y’all. Belize is a place we’re I’ve been dying to go.
Glad to see you two still enjoying your honeymoon.
Happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!! The year in pics is just too cute.
I LOVE Houlihan’s!!! I’m so excited that y’all ate there. Brian makes fun of me for liking it (he calls it Shenanigans- a la Super Troopers), but he’s never given it a chance. Half price wine on Tuesdays 🙂
I may have to steal your anniversary cake tradition.
Ohhh Man….This Is exactly what i was seeking for….i hope Alot of others get a benefit out of this post,and dont simply skim read it…thanks so much
Hey got 2 quick questions on acekard 2i for dsi… How do i save my games? Is it like an emulator where you press a button and a menu comes up? And is there any way to play my music whilst playing ds games? I can do it on my psp but what about ds? And if so is there any way to block out ds game sounds. Thanks
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful blog today. Your pictures (and captions) are great! Good luck on your move…
Happy Anniversary!! You guys are so cute together, love it.
happy anniversary to both of you! your wedding pictures are gorgeous. I hope the next year brings awesome things for you guys. 🙂
I love your wedding photos, so beautiful! Happy Anniversary!
This is adorable! Happy anniversary! 🙂
Beautiful post, simply divine.
You & Ben are a beautiful couple.
This post was a tear jerker. Thanks a lot, Monica! No, but seriously. I love your love. And also, I miss you. And I need to call you back.
aw, cute post. happy anniversary y’all!
Happy anniversary!!
aaaahhh-love the year in photos! Congratulations on a wonderful year!
Those are quite lovely pictures! We didn’t save any of our wedding cake to have on our one-year anniversary. I’m a little sad because our cake was GOOD. But we basically lived off of it and the leftover food for days, so I certainly had my fill. Celebrating four years in October!
Fabulous pictures! Beautiful bride! I saved my cake topper for my first anniversary. When we dug into it a year later, it didn’t taste very good after being frozen that long. Hopefully that makes you feel better. 🙂 Your cake looks quite tasty!
loved the “slide show”. looks like you two compliment each other well.
Happy anniversary!!
Those are great pictures; you were a beautiful bride.
I hope this second year of marriage brings you much happiness.
Awww, this is so touching! You and Ben are adorable and so in love and I LOVE that you celebrate this to the world! It’s so true, the huge scary changes in life are so much easier when you have someone to go through them with. GOod luck to you guys, life is so exciting right now and you will forever remember these times. 🙂
Thanks for sharing all those pictures! They’re really great!
Happy Anniversary Monica and Ben!!!
Adorable <3 Happy Anniversary!
Awwww – such lovely pics, Monica!
That slice of cake looked really divine.
And you and Ben look SO cute together!
😀
Wish you a lovely week, girl!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela