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Welcome to my blog, where I share highlights of everything from my client's wedding days and portrait sessions, to recent features and our adventures around the world. 

Hi, I'm Alicia.

Five Years

May 20, 2016

Five years is a long time; it’s really hard to believe that Alicia and I have been married for that long.  We’ve been in a relationship for nearly nine years, which honestly, just makes me feel old.  I’m well aware of how our relationship is depicted online and it’s very similar to others I see out there in this social media age (I can’t believe I typed that, I really am old).  It’s easy to see things through Instagram-colored glasses and think that someone else’s relationship is so perfect and why can’t you have that too?  But the truth is, we have our issues, just like anyone else does.  We’re both very stubborn, we’re total opposites when it comes to our tastes in food and music, and we both get really cranky (her in the morning, me when I’m hungry).  Morning-crankiness aside, there’s no person that I’d rather spend the rest of my life with.  And I think she feels the same about me, but I’m still waiting on confirmation. 

In honor of our five year anniversary, Alicia asked if I’d write five tips to a long-lasting relationship.  So here you go, these are my five pieces of (very amateur) advice along with an image from each anniversary, compliments of Alicia:

1. Have meaningful conversations. After spending many years dating and even more in a marriage, it can be hard work talking about something meaningful some days.  At this point, Alicia has heard every story I have from before we met and I’ve heard all about her growing up.  It would be so much easier for us to zone out in front of the DVR each night, eating dinner, then head to bed around 10 (okay, that’s a lie, I go to bed at 9) – you could literally spend days talking to each other without actually saying anything.  This is why I love our walks with our dog – we’re both totally unplugged from our electronics and can just talk.  

Washington, DC wedding photographer, Alicia Lacey, has her husband guest post of the importance of celebrating anniversaries for married couples.

We are the Mitchells

2. Help each other out. You’re both busy – you have jobs, school, friends, family, commitments, etc.  There’s going to come a time when the laundry is piling up, and the sink is full of dirty dishes, and the dog hasn’t gotten a bath in months and you’re both too exhausted to do anything about it.  But if one of you does do something about it, you have no idea how much that can mean to the other person.  Just something as small as cleaning the kitchen or picking up the groceries can be so meaningful and requires so little work. 

Washington, DC wedding photographer, Alicia Lacey, has her husband guest post of the importance of celebrating anniversaries for married couples.

Katelyn James Photography

3. Go on a trip. Even if it’s just for a long weekend.  I mentioned earlier how easy it is to fall into a comfortable routine from day to day – going on a trip makes you break out of that routine and try something new with the added benefit of seeing somewhere you may never have been before.  Even if it’s somewhere you’ve already been, maybe you can share that place with your significant other for the first time which can be a meaningful experience as well.

Washington, DC wedding photographer, Alicia Lacey, has her husband guest post of the importance of celebrating anniversaries for married couples.

Laura Gordon Photography

4. Don’t go to bed angry. Okay so this is nothing new – we’ve all heard this one before, but it is so true.  If you go to bed angry, both of you will likely you’ll sleep terribly and the dog isn’t going to be exactly thrilled because they can sense the tension.  Then you’ll have the added bonus of waking up in the morning to go to your, in my case incredibly boring, 9-5 in Washington, DC on a few hours sleep, which will just make you even angrier.  So apologize, talk it out, do what you need to smooth things over.   More than likely whatever you’re fighting about isn’t worth it anyway.

Washington, DC wedding photographer, Alicia Lacey, has her husband guest post of the importance of celebrating anniversaries for married couples.

Michael & Carina Photography

5. Compromise. That’s what the basic definition of a relationship is right?  It’s essentially one big compromise.  There’s been times when it’s a Sunday afternoon and all I really want to do is watch the Redskins game, but Alicia has a wedding styled shoot that she needs help setting up.  Do I want to help with the styled shoot? No, I do not. But I know that I can record the game and just avoid my phone for a few hours.  I also know Alicia will appreciate my help so much more than the Redskins will appreciate me watching them blow a 4th quarter lead.  I also know that more than likely when I get home from work the next day I’ll have a six-pack waiting in the fridge for me as a thank you.  So compromise and work together.  You’re a team (sports reference–for the dudes out there).

Washington, DC wedding photographer, Alicia Lacey, has her husband guest post of the importance of celebrating anniversaries for married couples.

Abby Grace Photography

And there you have it.  My completely full-proof tips to a long lasting relationship….I’m totally kidding.  After all, five years is really just a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things.  I hope that these tips can help you in your relationship and if they don’t, please file all complaints to: alicia@alicialaceyphotography.com.

 

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