Never Let Go.

‘Kieran’s POV’

The day you say I do you think about forever with your significant other, but to get to forever you have to survive the first year. 365 days as husband and wife is the true test, if you make it through that you’re going to be fine or so we all hope right? As of today at 4:30 pm Jamie and I have been married for a whole year. Where has time gone? Oh that’s right it’s been a pretty crazy year. Becoming aunt and uncle again, winning gold the Olympics, winning the Stanley Cup it’s all happened in the last 365 days, talk about a whirlwind.

With our first anniversary falling on a Sunday we had the whole day to ourselves, no work, and no hockey as it’s still the offseason just Jamie, Knox, and I. I didn’t have anything planned for us other than the whole let’s eat year old cake tradition but Jamie had other ideas. Maybe one day he’ll remember I really hate surprises, but probably not.

The two of us decided to play the day off like normal until our actual anniversary, leaving the day wide open until 4:30. I took the opportunity to take Knox for a run, catch up on some laundry and do just everyday things while waiting for the clock to strike. However the top tier of our wedding cake is sitting on the counter in the kitchen constantly reminding me of today’s special meaning. There’s no way this year old cake is going to taste good but it’s a tradition so we’re going to at least attempt to eat it.

I’m in the kitchen leaning against the counter staring at the lacy white cake decorated with peach and pink sugar flowers when Jamie comes in from the garage, immediately shoving something behind his back when he sees me standing there. “Whatcha got there Jame?” I ask wiggling my eyebrows as he tries to hide the shit eating grin on his face. “Nothing, don’t look. Close your eyes it’s not 4:30!!” Giggling I turn around covering my eyes so he can walk through the kitchen, after counting to 20 I uncover my eyes and get started on dinner.

‘Jamie’s POV’

Well that was close, I thought Kieran was in the laundry room but my judgment was clearly wrong she almost saw her gift! Maybe I should have had it gift wrapped after all. After taking a shower washing the sweat from my pre-season workout off and hiding her present for after dinner I make my way back downstairs. The smell of food hits me as I descend the stairs, something spicy I decide as I get closer.

In the kitchen Kieran’s phone is blaring some sort of rap music Hoodie Allen I think, her hips swaying to the beat as she stirs whatever it is she’s cooking. She’s in her own little world so I sneak up beside her, “What’s cookin’ good lookin?” She nearly jumps out of her skin, swatting at my shoulder, “Jesus Jamie! Make a sound would you?” I got her good I think to myself as I try to hold in my laughter, “Sorry babe, your awful taste in music covered up the stair squeaks.”

As we sit down at the table to eat the Mexican soup Kieran’s prepared a timer goes off on her phone, “Happy anniversary babe,” she smiles at me from the other side of the table. I return the line, as we continue to eat. When our food is gone I stand up, “Where are you going?” she asks as I head for the stairs “It’s present time!” I yell down to her she smiles going to her hiding spot as well. Back downstairs in place of my soup bowl is a pretty good sized box wrapped in brown butcher paper an envelope taped to the top, Kieran is sitting in her chair smiling as I enter. “Can I go first? I didn’t wrap mine…”

Like a kid on Christmas she extends her arms smiling like crazy. “Happy anniversary baby, I hope you like it.” I hand her piece of barn wood, a picture of our first dance is transferred onto the surface it’s rustic and Lauren said she would love it. By the look on her face she was right. Holding it with both hands her eyes scan the whole thing multiple times before she looks back up at me, “Aww, J I love it! It’s beautiful!!” She lays it on the table before standing up to kiss me, “Close enough to paper right?” I ask and she just smiles, we had discussed the anniversary “rules” and decided they were dumb but we’d try to include them.

Kieran then forces me into my chair to open my gift, first is a card which I had forgotten about but I don’t think Kieran really cares. The card says “We’ve BENN married 365 days, aren’t you lucky?” on the front with 12 reasons why she loves me written inside signed with her new initials, KMB. I tear off the brown paper, which is apparently the only part that’s “paper” in this present beneath the brown wrapping lies a bright orange Nike box. Lifting the lid I note writing on the inside, “So lucky and blessed you RAN into my life. I love you! –K” A pair of Nike Roshe Runs in black and victory green lay in the box, custom made no doubt with Benn 14 stitched on the heel. “These are awesome! Thank you,” Kieran winks at me her fingers running through my hair, “No problem, but I’m burning the old pair.”

With presents out of the way we move on to attempting to eat the year old cake, and as anticipated it’s just as bad as it sounds. We stick to just taking a couple pictures with it instead before watching a movie. As we’re laying on the couch Kieran fiddles with my wedding band on my finger, “What’re you doing?” I ask as she slides it off climbing off the couch. “You’ll see,” she states grabbing a box from under the entertainment center.

She sifts through the box of scrabble letters, and pulls the ring off of her finger as well spelling out “One Year with the rings as the O and A”. She snaps a picture of the art works before putting the ring back on her finger and the letters back in the box. Cozying back into my arms she slides my ring back onto my finger, “Instagram time!” she cheers pulling up her favorite app. My phone buzzes seconds later, the perfect finish to our little celebration.

“@KieranBenn14: Thanks for dealing with me for a whole year @jamiebenn14, I love you more each day! #HappyAniversary #OneYear”

Notes

So sorry for the lack of update guys! I've been super busy and I am getting ready to go back to work soon so updates will be few and far between! But big things are coming for the Benn's! :) Feedback anyone? xoxo -Ally

365.