Celebrating Unconventional Anniversaries

If you’re like most couples, you probably look forward to celebrating your wedding anniversary each year. And rightly so – another year of marriage is definitely something to toast to.

However, if you’ve been married for more than a few years, you’ve maybe found that wedding anniversaries are kind of like birthdays: at a certain point, it seems like only the big milestone years justify a big celebration; the in-between years sort of get downplayed or lost in the shuffle. But is 11 years of marriage any less of an accomplishment than 10? Not really, right?

Instead of falling into the habit of celebrating less as the years go by, we’d like to make the case for celebrating more. Why? Well, for starters, celebrations are opportunities to connect as a couple. The rituals and traditions that form out of regular celebrations become a touchstone in your relationship that strengthens your bond. Not only that, but celebrations help you focus on the positives – in life and in each other.

Unfortunately, you only have one wedding anniversary to celebrate every year, but it doesn’t have to end there. Here are some unconventional anniversaries and occasions to consider adding to your celebration calendar.

Relationship milestones, big and small

Your relationship journey is more than just your wedding anniversary. Consider dates such as when you first met, your first kiss, your dating or engagement anniversary, the first time you said “I love you”, the moment you knew your spouse was the one, or even making up from your first big fight.

Parenting-related milestones

Starting a family is one of the most monumental events you’ll encounter in your life. The anniversary of becoming parents, getting all the kids out of diapers, becoming parents of teen drivers, or entering the empty nest stage can all be worth recognizing in some form or another.

Financial achievements

Managing finances in marriage can be complicated and rife with conflict. So don’t be afraid to enjoy the fruits of navigating this area successfully – things like the anniversary of your first big purchase together, paying off a big debt, or reaching a financial goal.

Lifestyle changes

If you’ve made any big lifestyle changes to benefit your health and wellbeing, you know it’s no easy feat. You likely had to support and encourage each other along the way, and that’s something to be proud of. Maybe you mark the anniversary of when you both quit smoking, started your weight loss journey, or had a life-changing operation. Or this could even encompass a big move or career change that led to a slower or more balanced pace of life.

Special memories and silly stuff

That once-in-a-lifetime vacation or the one that was a disaster – both were equally memorable albeit for different reasons. Maybe you ran a marathon together and vowed never to do it again, but you commemorate the occasion every year. Or perhaps you’re both lifelong fans of rival sports teams; you could celebrate the anniversary of a big win (or loss) or go all out when the teams play each other.

It might feel a little frivolous, and it’s probably not practical to celebrate every single thing. But even just talking and thinking about your history together, reminiscing, debating over what happened and when is a fun way to connect and reflect on your journey. It’s a way to carry your memories and past experiences with you as you create new ones, expanding your map of shared meaning and strengthening your bond.