{Just a heads up, it's a novel. Sorry not sorry. I consider this blog to be a journal so I want to make sure I document. You do not have to read the whole thing!}
This weekend I knew FIVE girls who got married (yes you read that right, 5, in two days). Let's just say weddings were on the mind this weekend, and it got me thinking back to my very own.
Of course I thought about how giddy I was on my wedding day and how excited I was to be sealed to Brad for eternity. I remember sitting in the bridal room with my mom and the temple worker coming in and telling me I was the calmest bride she had ever seen. I don't feel as though I was super calm (I seriously went to the bathroom four times in 20 minutes) but I felt at peace with the decision I was making. I knew I had prepared and lived my life the way I should for the past 20 years so that I could be right where I was.
When I think back on my wedding day I think of the spirit that I felt as Brad and I were sealed together in that room on July 19, 2012 in the Birmingham, Alabama temple. I love that we were able to walk into the room side by side, just how we will do everything for the rest of our lives, side by side. I feel so blessed to be able to have Brad by my side through everything. Luckily for me I get to spend forever with that man of mine and I can always return to the temple to feel that same spirit. What an incredible blessing!
Although all the weddings this weekend made me think of my own wedding day, I really spent my time reflecting on our marriage. I can't even begin to tell you how happy being married makes me. I feel so blessed that I found the man that I want to love and be with for the rest of forever at such a young age. I thought about how most days I still feel just as happy to know that I get to spend eternity with Brad (I say most days because we aren't perfect, and we do have our days) as the very day we were sealed.
I still feel like a newlywed most of the time.The other day I surprised Brad with a picnic when I picked him up from work. We headed to a local park and enjoyed our picnic on the most lovely fall day, the sunset was incredible so it really felt like the perfect day. Brad looked over at me and said "I think we are finally getting the hang of this whole marriage thing". I sat back for a moment and reflected on our first year of marriage.
I'm not going to lie the first three months were rough for me, I moved all the way to Washington State, Brad was either working or going to school and I didn't have a reliable job. I really just sat at home all day and did school work, I didn't really have friends out there and I was adjusting to married life. Then we moved to New York, during the winter. Oh how I HATE snow, and let me tell you we get a lot of it here. I was really worried when we weren't really clicking with anyone in the ward because everyone knew the likelihood of us staying here was very slim. However, something changed and I can't even tell you when. Next thing you know we are being invited to hangout with people, I have made a few friends, I have a job that I love, and I have a calling that I love most Sundays.
So in reply to Brad's statement, I really have to agree. I think we really are starting to get the hang of this whole marriage thing. Although we are super busy, we do make the most out of the time that we do have together. Am I always the perfect wife, no. Is the house always spotless, no. Do those stress me out, yes. Even though we are starting to get the hang of it I still feel like I have a lot to learn! Good thing I have eternity to learn to love more and stress less!
