Last weekend we celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. We like to keep our traditions simple: family time, a good meal, and a few photographs to remember the day. One small goal we try to keep each year is to get a family portrait — a habit that began with a little point-and-shoot camera and gradually evolved into tripods, camera remotes, and lots of practice getting everyone in the frame. These days, however, we often just rely on whatever is closest and easiest. This year it was the iPhone during a family walk, and I took our portrait with my own hand.

We attempted a second shot of us kissing, but our daughter Clara, who adores making silly faces when the camera is in “selfie” mode, made us laugh instead. The result was a candid, goofy picture that perfectly captures who we are as a family at this moment. Those kinds of images — unposed and genuine — often mean the most.

This turned out to be the most successful family photo session we’ve had to date. A few quick clicks and we were ready to continue our walk, having secured a great photo with everyone smiling on the first try. To us, that felt like an anniversary miracle.

We spent the afternoon on Belle Isle, one of our favorite spots in Richmond. The island offers a wonderful mix of green space, river views, and a bit of local history, which made it perfect for Clara to explore and for us to stretch our legs. We love places that let her roam around safely while we soak up a little fresh air and slow down together.

Because we were already downtown, we decided to finally try a pie restaurant we had been curious about. Yes, a whole restaurant centered on pies. For lunch we both chose savory pies, though their menu includes plenty of sweet options as well. The food felt cozy and special — just right for a low-key anniversary — and if we ever renewed our vows we might seriously consider asking them to cater.

The day’s pace shifted briefly when Clara needed a nap, which for us meant a bit of work time. Fortunately, Grammy arrived just as Clara woke up, and we were able to enjoy a date night at Cinebistro, one of those dine-while-you-watch movie theaters where you can relax over a meal and watch a film. It made for a grown-up end to a family-focused day.

We saw The Heat and found it genuinely funny. We laughed a lot and enjoyed the film nearly as much as we enjoyed our banana cheesecake — a dessert we highly recommend pairing with any comedy. The evening felt easy and joyful: good food, good company, and a movie that kept us smiling. All in all, it was a quiet, satisfying anniversary.

Compared to some of our past celebrations — which included different traditions and milestones over the years — this one was intentionally low-key. We’ve marked our anniversaries in a variety of ways, from small rituals at home to more elaborate outings, and each year brings something new while preserving the same core idea: celebrate the family we’ve built and the life we share.

What made this anniversary special was its simplicity and how well it fit into a busy holiday weekend. Between the family portrait, the island walk, a savory pie lunch, a quick nap and some work, and a relaxed date night, the day felt balanced. It left us with photos, memories, and that quietly happy feeling that comes from spending time with people you love. That’s the sort of anniversary we’ll happily remember and likely repeat.