It Was Twenty Years Ago Today...and Pink, Red and Velvet

Hello, my friends! I hope you will forgive me and indulge me in a little flashback down Memory Lane, but today is L's and my 20th wedding anniversary. Smack dab in the middle of the week!

Look what was waiting for me at work!

They're from L - many of the lilies have since opened up since I took that picture - I'm excited to see how the purple irises look once they open. Aw, he always gets me flowers.

I took a bunch of pictures of photos from back in the day, which are further down this post. But first, today's outfit.

Down to the last week and a bit of my fall/winter wardrobe, so trying to wear some of my favourite things again, like these amazing vintage velvet trousers.

• Blouse - Hazel, thrifted; first worn here for a half day for Valentine's in February
• Trousers - TanJay, vintage 70s, thrifted; last seen here in December with a load of glitter and shine
• Shoes - Marc; last worn here in January with the hug from Canada
• Coat (below) - Danier Leather 

I much prefer this blouse tucked in as it allows the ginormous sleeves to take centre stage. It's also a little less overwhelming on my frame, especially with ginormous velvet pants!

I am large and in charge. Today, L and I had to deal with our shower/tub not draining - a little teamwork and voila, I came home a bit early, the plumber fixed it, and the Prosecco is chilling in the fridge (thanks to Lois and Brent for that!). We (L and I) work well together.

Outerwear:

Wow, that hat looks completely dorky on me there. It's by Andre from Roberta's Hats, and the gloves are my studded Danier ones. I bused home to deal with the plumber, and it was just pouring rain and I got soaked, even on a little walk from the bus stop. And of course, now it's sunny.

The stuff:

Lovely red shoes. Can one every have too many pairs of red shoes and boots? I think not.

Plain ol' bling:

I've been wearing some of my "day" scarves instead of warmer, wooly ones.

• Scarf - Ralph Lauren, consignment
• Belt (not shown, forgot I was wearing it) - Plum
• Bangle - local
• Earrings - 10th anniversary gift from L

Okay, you ready? These are all of my family, all from 20 years ago. We didn't have digital cameras back then, so these are pictures of photographs.

I got ready in the morning at our apartment. I wore my mom's wedding dress (circa 1965).

Dad hated wearing a tie, so he wore the gaudiest one he could find. Very Dad. Mom looks awesome in her dark green dress with satin cuffs and collar.

At the interfaith chapel at the University of Victoria. My awesome brother Dave.

Ah, 1997, era of the collarless shirt for men!

Yes, I am a weepyass mess. I cry at everything, and I was a total mess during the entire ceremony.

My dad has just walked me up the aisle here, and we are all laughing because he stepped on the dress' train...just like he did when he and Mom got married. We had teased him mercilessly - "Don't step on the train!" but of course, he did.

L wore a vintage 60s Nehru jacket - and look at his short hair! That's my bestie Janet on the right. She wore nylons for me (a big sacrifice). I recall she took them off as soon as she could.

Leaving the chapel, and coming outside to all our friends and family.

No tattoos then!

Here we are from the front. We have a big version of this photo framed in the hall outside our bedroom.

I love how happy we look. Everyone was furiously snapping pictures.

This is my side of the family.

The time-stamp is wrong. It was the 22nd.

Aunt Lois, Dad, Mom, L, me, Dave and his then-girlfriend (and now ex-wife) Cynthia.

This is L's Mom Louise and his step-dad Lawrence.

We did our pictures in the grounds around the University. It was cloudy and rainy most of the day - just like today!

L's family.

Grandma D, L, me, L's best man Kurt, L's brother Virgil and Grandma W. Both grandmas have since died.

Mingling around outside the chapel.

Cynthia, my aunt Kathy (Mom's best friend), Dave, Kathy's youngest daughter Stacy, my dad's running buddy Marian, and Dad.

At the reception, which was at the Union Club.

Lawrence and Louise, looking happy. Lawrence has been dead now for about 4 years.

Dave and Cynthia.

Dave has always been a bit of a goofball - it runs in the family. Those of you who've met me are nodding...

Dave showing off his suspenders.

Classy dude.

Mom and Dad, having a hug.

My dad died 6 months after I got married. These are all the last pictures I have of him.

Mom with my cousin Heidi (she's Lois' daughter - Lois is my dad's sister).

Very 90s fashion in that crushed velvet dress, Heidi! She must have caught my bouquet. My whole wedding was a bit of a blur as I was rather hungover from the raucous and rowdy evening the night before.

Lois and Brent.

So smoochy! They are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this year! I remember their wedding (I was 9), and I even remember what I wore (a long green and white polyester dress).

My dad was a very funny guy (great at puns).

I don't know if Mom is laughing at something he said, but whatever it was, it was hilarious.

My mom's parents, my Gram and Grandad, weren't able to make it to the wedding or reception due to health issues, so after the wedding, L and I went to their condo and did some pictures.

Grandad died that August, and Gram died a few months later. These are the last pictures I have of them as well.

And last, but not least, the classic "ring shot". Our wedding bands are a little less shiny now, more battered and scratched, but we're 20 years older.

And yes, those are cat scratches on my hand, from our first cat, Othello, who has also died since then. Ha, I didn't mean for this to be a litany of the dead! But it makes me happy to see all my family here, celebrating with us - and I shared all these pictures with them so that they could enjoy them too.

A very happy 20th anniversary to you, L. Thank you for being my partner on this crazy ride.