We are thrilled to finally celebrate our second anniversary, also known as the cotton anniversary, with our beloved family and close friends who have supported us intimately through our first years as newlyweds. We look forward to renewing our covenant vows and rededicating ourselves to one another before God and you all. Pure and delicate, yet durable and versatile: cotton holds the qualities of a marriage that’s made it to its second year. Moving into our third year of marriage, we want to acknowledge our commitment to weave the fibers that strengthen our bond and resilience. We pursue oneness joined with God in our marriage as Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, "A cord of three strands is not easily broken."

It was on an especially frigid day after one fantastic brunch at Mother's Bistro in downtown Portland that James wanted to take Tarim for a “casual” stroll towards the waterfront, where he had first asked her to be his girlfriend. Tarim immediately smelled that something was fishy. Tarim's nose and toes were frozen numb by the time they reached the waterfront, when James pulled out his phone and said, "Watch this!"—a video compilation of sweet memories since their first date. At the conclusion of the video, James got down on one knee, gave a romantic speech, and asked, “Will you take this ring?” Tarim laughed for a long minute and pretended to forget what the question was to give James a chance to ask, instead, “Will you marry me?” Then she said, “Yes.”

Tarim was running 15 minutes late (surprise) to Habibi Cafe in Long Beach, California, as James awaited her in the parking lot. Four hours later, their Turkish coffee date (with baklava, of course) turned into a two-hour dinner at the same table, finished with rhubarb pie for dessert at the Pie Hole for another hour. Tarim was relieved to find he too has a major sweet tooth.