PaC Man & Wife: Secret Heart

In the weeks leading up to the wedding, Mr. PaC and I made a deal. No presents, only cards. We had just enough money after the tax debacle wiped out any surplus funds. And I had no idea what to gift my groom. So it was easier in many ways to forgo gifts.

Writing a love note to Mr. PaC... just before the card exchange.

Trying not to cry as I read his sweet words.

Bursting with joy!

Muahaha, now it's your turn to cry, Mr. PaC!

I think I got him.

With the card exchange complete, I was ready for our first look! But I was told to stay put. There was something else. That sneaky husband of mine didn't keep his side of the deal!

My guilt at not secretly buying him a gift gave way to absolute shock when I realized what he'd done!

Château freaking d'Yquem!

For the uninitiated, this is a very, very nice bottle of Sauternes (dessert wine) on every wine lover's wish list. My first taste of any Sauternes was Château d'Yquem - an unparalleled experience I never dreamt of repeating. And there I was, holding a bottle moments before our first look.

My hands were shaking from excitement. Good thing my legs didn't give out!

And here's Mr. PaC... grinning because he pulled one over on me!

Our Château d'Yquem will improve with age and careful cellaring. We did not drink it on our first anniversary. Nor will we drink it on our fifth. When we finally taste it many anniversaries from now, it will little resemble the wine from our wedding year. This vulnerable wine will have matured: mellowed in acidity, more complex aromas, and a spectacular lingering finish. A splendid metaphor for a great marriage, no?

Stay tuned because our first look is next!

(all photos by Heather Fowler Photography, unless otherwise noted)

Catch up on our PaC recaps!

Days Before

• In the days leading up to the wedding, I wanted to be sedated.
• I walked the line between calm and stressed for the better part of our rehearsal day.
• "Don't panic" and its friends were what Mr. PaC kept telling me on the way to our rehearsal dinner.

Wedding Morning

• Best wedding morning advice: wake up slow and tackle the day at your own pace.
• Once at our venue, our DIY projects were assembled with our own two hands.
• The girls get ready with champagne and chocolate-covered potato chips.
• The guys are ready... and waiting.
• She's mine! All mine! (The dress that is.)
• Brown-eyed girl (and guy) portraits.
• Something old and new, borrowed and blue.