Palmettos and Pearls: Happy Birthday, Richard!

Almost a year ago (hard to believe!), I married the person who I had loved since middle school, in one way or another. Richard Webb and I officially met in 6th grade at Dawkins Middle School, where we had several classes together. He was always very studious, wore sweatshirts-sometimes decorated- over collared shirts, and seemed a bit older than most of the other boys in our grade. Our friendship developed in middle school through working on school projects and learning the barn dance in Mrs. Thrailkill's class, blossomed in high school through Halloween trips to haunted houses and double dates with our respective high school boyfriend and girlfriend, and continued through college, where he was my favored sorority function date and post-college, wedding date. We never officially dated, but I went to Richard to teach me how to shag (dance) and for thoughtful conversation and fun companionship.

When we FINALLY started dating in the fall of 2003, I thought that we would be together forever. We drove I-26 frequently to visit each other in Charleston, where he was in med school, and Columbia, where I was in law school. When we broke up in Spring 2004, I was devastated. Richard wanted to focus on med school and didn't want to be in a super committed relationship. That obviously did not go over well with me!

I distinctly remember walking the block around my home through law school with our shared house-dog Micah and just praying for Richard and our relationship. For two years, while I dated other people, I hoped and hoped that Richard and I would get back together. I was so excited when we finally did on a fun football weekend (Wofford kept it close against USC, and Clemson had a big win at FSU over the Seminoles!). Our relationship had its share of ups and downs as we weathered long-distance, intern year of surgery residency, and entering the working world with a full-time job. But we persevered, and our engagement and wedding and first year of marriage has been some of the happiest (and hardest!) times of my life. I cannot imagine being married to anyone else.

Richard is is most disciplined person I know, but as he has gotten older, he's become more laid-back and maintains a great balance of work and play. He is fiercely loyal, a hard, hard worker, and has a funny sense of humor. He's a natural performer and has exceptional musical talent. He has a wide variety of friends, and he's incredibly strong in his beliefs. And he's extremely stubborn, but that usually works to his advantage (even if it frustrates his wife on occasion). I love him more than anyone on this earth, and I am thankful for his 30 years and wish him many, many more! Despite a crazy week and a tough birthday weekend, we had a great time celebrating! Happy 30th, sweetheart!

the birthday boy on his actual party day, with one of his favorite desserts- red velvet cake from DC's Founding Farmers

at Matt and Gus's wedding in Baltimore- Richard represents the South well with his wardrobe choices!

Since we had Matt and Gus's wedding on Richard's birthday weekend, we celebrated with friends in our backyard last Sunday afternoon. It was a ton of work to get everything ready (and Richard did a lion's share of it), but we had a great time and hope our guests did too!

ladder golf and corn hole (thanks to Max and Christopher!)- can't see them too well, but I used blue hydrangeas and white peonies and yellow spider mums in the flower arrangements

Min tied these adorable birthday tags on our mason jars

loved having my office mates with us to celebrate! Christopher, Anna and I all sit within 5 feet of each other and make of 3/4's of the Team Gowdy Legislative team