“In life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with.” — Charles Schulz

If it can be said that one picture is worth a thousand words, then we certainly believe that a fun and meaningful vacation is worth at least a thousand pictures. Gather your family and take your parents on a walk down memory lane for their anniversary. Plan a surprise repeat getaway to one of the many places they’ve visited together over the years. Make sure to reserve a table at that great little cafe that they always talk about, pick up a couple of books from that cozy, dusty bookshop your mom loved so much, and walk together as a family along the side streets and hidden alleyways. Don’t forget to take a commemorative photo of the two of them at the exact same spot that they took that infamous photo on their last trip here — the one they love so much that they’ve had it on their mantle since the day it was developed.

Compile all of your photos from the family trip into an anniversary scrapbook album, and upgrade their mantle photo to a double-frame featuring the cherished photo from both then and now.

“Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life.” -Albert Einstein

She’s never been very fussy about jewelry, and has always requested “experiences” as gifts rather than “things”. But this year is special, and worth celebrating with a trinket as elegant and timeless as she is. Every family heirloom has a story to tell, so gift her with a special item that’s been in your family for generations. She’s always admired the beautiful antique locket handed down by your grandmother, the one her grandfather gave to her grandmother on their wedding day. Place a photo of the two of you on your own wedding day inside.

Turn the presentation of this precious family heirloom into an experience that she’ll never forget. Light a few candles, cue up the song that you danced to for the first time as Mr. and Mrs., and take your bride for a spin around the kitchen turned dance floor.

“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.” — Frederick Buechner

There is something so lovely, even sacred, about a powerful phrase or mantra shared between two people. With all of years that your parents have spent together, we’re sure that they have plenty of common phrases, encouraging words, or even inside jokes for you to choose from. Commission a calligraphy artist to create a custom piece of handwritten artwork that your mom and dad will be sure to cherish. We love the work of Nashville based Chelsea Petaja, particularly her framed print that features the beautiful Van Gogh quote: “What is done in love is down well”.

Make this piece of art particularly personal by having an artist write a phrase that you remember your parents saying to each other when you were growing up, like your father’s favorite morning greeting to your mother: “Good Morning, Sunshine”.

"Love is the emblem of eternity, it confounds all notion of time, effaces all memory of a beginning, all fear of an end”. — Germaine De Stael

Your husband is always saying that there aren’t enough family pictures with everyone together. He’s settled for the rushed Thanksgiving photo each year; the one taken just before everyone has to jump in the car to head back home. For your anniversary this year, plan a professional photo shoot for all of the children and grandchildren. No matching outfits required! Just invite everyone over to spend the day celebrating your anniversary over lunch. Have the photographer take some candid pictures of everyone throughout the afternoon, but make sure you snag that perfect golden hour shot with the whole family especially for Dad.

“As soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to happen.” A.A. Milne

To journey through life alongside another is to experience an adventure filled with plenty of ups and downs, surprises, set backs, victories, and hopefully a lot of laughter shared between you and your best friend: your spouse. Celebrate not only how far they’ve come on their journey as a married couple, but take the time to celebrate where the two of them are off to next. For a creative anniversary gift, hang a map of the world in their living room and put one color pin in all of the places they’ve been together and another color pin in all of the places that they’ve always talked about visiting together. While everyone is on the back porch enjoying an al fresco anniversary brunch, have someone pin the two plane tickets you’ve all pooled together to purchase on the map and see how long it takes for them to notice.

“We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.” — Robert Fulghum

In some ways, it feels like you know absolutely everything there is to know about him. But then again, it never ceases to amaze you when you learn something new. Show him your commitment to many more years of learning and loving by gifting him with a 5 year Q & A Journal. Take the time each day to ask each other a question from this cool anniversary gift and record it for posterity. Use this time as an opportunity to delve into previously unexplored interests or stories from each other’s childhoods that neither one of you have heard before. What better way to try and carve out daily time to go on a “mini-date” with your partner?

"Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years”. - Simone Signoret

Or how about a fun family game show to celebrate the anniversary of your parents or Grandparents? Have each member of the audience, comprised of your family and friends, submit a few questions. Make sure to assign the most gregarious one in your family the task of hosting a “Newlywed Game” style event, and set up a makeshift stage in the comfort of your own living room. Enjoy a night of fun for all ages and revel in the chance to learn a little bit more about the couple who means so much to everyone. Laughter and maybe even a few happy tears are sure to be found throughout the night, and the happy couple will leave with even more fun and precious memories to carry with them into the next year.

“The secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person. You know they're right if you love to be with them all of the time.” - Julia Child

You’ve both decided that considering the hectic pace of your lives lately, the best way to celebrate your anniversary is with a well deserved night at home. Pick up a bottle of your favorite red wine, order from your favorite Italian takeout place, and make a date for a night spent under the stars in your very own backyard. She’ll be so excited to see the woven hammock that you set up while she was out, and she’ll love her custom anniversary gift — a photo quilt you’ve created for her with her favorite picture of the two of you from your big day.

To make the night extra special, create a Spotify playlist featuring the “hits” from your marriage. Choose songs that you’ve danced to and sung together on road trips over the years, and songs that evoke that special feeling your partner gives when they flash their smile from across the room.

Enjoy your breezy and relaxing evening, swaying to the music and reminiscing together.

But if you feel like throwing a memorable at-home anniversary party, check out this article for how-to ideas!

“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate then when I fall asleep your eyes close.” — Pablo Neruda

It’s been years since their wedding day, but as the quote goes: “I swear I couldn't love you more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow. ” Their relationship has only continued to expand and deepen over the years. Who knew a heart could grow to contain so much love? Tell the special couple just how loved they are by giving them a unique and personalized anniversary gift: a From a Birdie memory book. Simply gather heartfelt letters of congratulations from your friends and family and allow From a Birdie to create a beautifully bound collection for the two sweethearts to cherish forever.