Nate and I just passed our 8th(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) dating anniversary. Since it falls on Leap Day and we can only celebrate it every four years, it’s gotta be special. That being said, I knew I had to find the perfect gift. :)

I’m a strong believer in The 5 Love Languages! You can read more about them here, and take a test if you’re curious what yours is; either quality time, gifts, acts of service, physical touch, or words of affirmation. My love language by a landslide is gifts. I love finding the perfect gifts for the people I love, and it’s not uncommon that as Nate is blowing out the candles on his birthday cake, I’m already deciding what I’m giving the next year. :) Yes, I have a problem.

That being said, it was while we were photographing Tara and Matt’s wedding last August that I was struck with my favorite gift idea… EVER. Tara had painted this darling picture of the Up house to put on their cake table. I immediately decided whenever we did get a house, Nate’s gettin’ an Up-inspired painting of it- even if I had to do it myself!

Lucky for me, we have the most talented friends on the planet, and Patrick (of Carriatrick fame), graciously volunteered to take on the challenge. Even though we didn’t get the house soon enough to make it a Christmas gift, it made a perfect 8 year “dateaversary” gift on Leap Day. We’ve only been able to celebrate our dateaversary twice now, so it made it even more special! :)

I’m eternally grateful for Patrick and his amazing work… He even put in some hidden Mickey balloons and MY HUCKLEBERRY! It’s perfect and my favorite piece I’ve ever owned. Nate flipped when I gave it to him; My favorite moment was that after 30 seconds of grinning and gazing at the print, he realized, “Wait… That’s OUR HOUSE!”

So Patrick, WE LOVE YOU! I’ll never, ever be able to thank you enough. Can’t wait for you to come see it hanging up in person!!!

You should also check out :

• Patrick’s amazing puppet company, Swazzle!
• His gorgeous wife’s Disney Wedding Podcast!
• Carrie’s other Disney site, Disney Travel Babble
• The bagillion of past Carrie and Patrick blog posts <3