10 Things I'm Leaving in 2014
First of all, this morning, I had no idea it was New Years Eve.
My husband reminded me of this fact as he walked out the door to work... I looked at him with my greasy hair in a bun on top of my head and made a face like this:
Then I went to the store and got mini bottles of champagne and some mini bundt cakes (Thanks Jonny and Angela for the giftcard to the holy land of Nothing Bundt Cakes!!! Go there if you can, people. The best cakes in the WHOLE WORLD).
So that's how we're celebrating. And I am not going to wear a sequin dress. I'm probably going to wear a clean, giant t-shirt and ugly slippers. I'm so excited.
So then I felt pressured to write some glorious blog post about my resolutions for 2015.
But everyone does that.
Or they talk about why they don't have resolutions.
Or how they're going to be a better person.
But what about this last year?
Does anyone ever talk about how they did on their resolution over the last year? Nope! Because people forget they even had a resolution. So why make one if you're just going to forget it?
I feel like no one talks about what they learned in the last year - but guys, that's super important!
So here are some things I want to leave in 2014:
- Crying. If you've read my blog, you know this. I've cried so much since moving to Georgia I think my tear ducts actually had to expand and have amped up their production. I'm okay with leaving the tears in 2014. Fingers crossed.
- Stagnant jobs. When my husband got a job in Georgia, I finally had a great excuse to leave my stagnant job behind. I had no idea how much my job was hurting me not only emotionally and mentally, but physically too. I suddenly started getting full nights of sleep again, my skin cleared up, and day after day I am more refreshed than I've felt in two years. If your job is weighing you down, move on. You won't regret it.
- My fear of heights. Okay, maybe not. But I'll try. I think I'm getting better. I made it over a couple of bridges and stairs this fall without totally losing it. There's hope.
- Fake friendships. Real friendships include friends that are happy with you, sad with you, and mad with you. True friends support and encourage you, and are interested and invested in you. I realized how many people fell out of my life this year, and that lightbulb of "you were never actually my friend..." went off. I have a clearer sense of who I am important to and who is important to me. It's wonderful. But it also makes me miss the real ones like crazyyyy.
- My fear of driving. I hate driving, guys. But I'm gonna put that fear behind me. Literally, I'm going to drive my fear away. But I secretly (not so secretly) wish I had a personal driver.
- Disconnection with family. No matter the miles between you, your family will always be there. Because of my new venture in working from home, I have talked to my beloved sisters more than I have been able to in years. They've listened to me cry and called to make me laugh. The chance to talk to my family every day or at least every week is something I am so glad to make time for, now.
- Distrust in God's plan. Sometimes God's plan for you is different than you were "hoping" for. Once you see the effect of His plan, though, you suddenly realize He has your best interests in mind. He led us to an amazing church home in Georgia. He gave both Tom and I new opportunities to develop our careers into something that "fits" us. He showed me the true value of family and friends. It's kind of like that Garth Brooks song that says "sometimes I thank God, for unanswered prayers." What we think would be ideal may not be... and God knows. He's definitely a lot more dependable... and thankfully, always right.
- Low confidence. You choose how to feel. I'm leaving my insecurities in 2014 and enjoying all the seasons of my life. I'm going to choose to love me. No more thoughts that "I can't" or "I wish." I am me, and I am happy.
- Lack of experience. Experience more. New restaurants, new shops, new towns, a new shampoo. Gain experience in a hobby or branch of your job you'd like to learn more about. We live in a big wide world - go experience it! It is so exciting to try something new. You'll be surprised at how capable you are.
- DIY projects. Let's be real. I'm terrible at DIY, so it's time to put a lid on it.
I hope everyone had a fabulous 2014 and you can all take away some lessons learned. Remember to leave some things in 2014, though, because 2015 needs room to be even better. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
What are YOU leaving behind? Doesn't it feel good just to SAY you're leaving things behind you?
Hilton Head, SC
An ode to a two-person Christmas:
Twas the night after Christmas and all through the town, no family was visiting, there was only a spouse.
The couple decided to go away on their own to see the near ocean and call it their home.
The bikes were all packed in the car with a squeeze, their overnight bags could fit nicely with ease.
Early in the morning, they set out on the trek, not really sure if they'd ever come back.
The wife fell asleep as she usually does, while the husband drove smoothly - not causing a fuss.
Three short hours in, they made it to Savannah, there they filled up on tuna (also known as Joy's manna).
Thomas had parked the car nicely in parallel form, while his wife gave her praise at his marvelous charm.
It was time to keep moving, the ocean awaits! The Red Roof Inn would be tonight's pearly gates!
Soon enough they arrived, and they shrugged at their room, they knew right away the beach would be where they'd loom.
The beach was a tad chilly, as they bundled up warm, but the sunset was worth it, and the pictures affirm.
To dinner they wandered for the freshest seafood, but they found that their taste buds have a "high and mighty" attitude.
Gelato followed up the subpar restaurant place, because wife needs to wash things down with a sweeter taste.
The next morning was slow and relaxing and calm, but soon enough now they'd be biking along.
To the beach with those bikes! They rode slowly to see all the waves and the smells and sweet ocean breeze.
Afterwards a fast lunch filled their bellies once more, then they slowly drove home a different way than before.
Though their time had been short they felt refreshed and renewed, and once home they decided to carry on with that mood.
Though Christmas is never the same without family near, with each other and the ocean, they did find their cheer.
How do you speak to yourself?
A while back, I gave you a thought provoking question which you can read here.
So how about this one?
"If you had a friend that you spoke to the same way you speak to yourself, how long do you think that person would allow you to be their friend?"
Are you hard on yourself? So many times, we are our own worst critics. Maybe it sounds like this:
- My arms aren't skinny enough.
- My thighs are too big.
- I wish I could run for longer.
- I wish my hair looked like so and so's.
- I don't work hard enough.
- I don't know enough about this.
- I'm not as talented as he is.
- I feel worthless.
So turn those statements around as if you're telling them to a friend:
- Your arms aren't skinny enough.
- Your thighs are too big.
- Too bad you can't run for longer.
- I bet you wish your hair looked like so and so's.
- You don't work hard enough.
- You don't know enough about that.
- You're not as talented as he is.
- I think you're worthless.
Woof.
I don't want to be their friend.
Sadly, I'm guilty of speaking to myself like that - why would I be such a crappy friend to myself? I think most of us tend to simply do this on autopilot. You could be an ultra confident person, but still find yourself berating your own person here and there. Even those little criticisms, though, will build up over time. You suddenly find that you're comparing yourself to your friends... or even strangers. How damaging over time! Just as that question asks, how long would you be friends with someone who spoke to you like that? Not very long, huh?
Keep that question in your mind the next time you look in the mirror and find that your roots have grown out. Or when you're at your job and cannot seem to get a promotion no matter how hard you work, leaving you feeling worthless. Or when you get lapped on the trail by a guy twice your age.
Stop self-degrading, and instead, remember this:
Exist to be happy. Not to impress.
I've got some serious stones.
YEAH, KIDNEY STONES!
Guys, having a kidney stone hurts. A LOT.
This is why I have been M.I.A. from blogging for a while. I thought I would give it a touch of good humored drama, but also straight facts because, to be honest, I knew people got kidney stones and they hurt, but they really stink more than people let on. So here's the play-by-play...
Friday night was just its usual glory. Tom and I had heated up some leftover mac n' cheese and decided to wash it down with some bloody mary's. We snuggled and went about our Friday as usual.
Saturday morning:
7AM:
Woke up from a terrible, uncomfortable, aching pain in my back on the right. Nothing made it feel better, so Tom threw me some sweatpants and got me in the car to go to the ER (I have never EVER been to the hospital before. Let alone an ER)
8AM:
Been checked in for a while, in my ER room, writhing in pain, but bearing it. Wouldn't let my husband touch me. ALL OF THE PAIN EVER. Doctor Nice Guy called me skinny and is my new BFF.
9AM:
Finally some relief of IV pain meds. Then a CT scan. Also, had to carry my IV bag to the bathroom in that weird robe = awkward. Why are hospital blankets so thin?? Freezing up in here!
10AM:
The news - I have a kidney stone, and two more hanging out in my kidney that may or may not show up at some point in the future. Pain meds wearing off...
*PROUD MOMENT*
From what I've been told, the pain from kidney stones is worse than that of childbirth. Admittedly, I am kind of a baby when I get sick or have a headache or something menial. So naturally, Tom thinks I am going to be such a wuss in childbirth. I can't really blame him for thinking that... but it does kind of stink when your own husband doesn't believe in your pain tolerance for birthing his future children.
When my nurse came into my room to discharge me, she said, "Okay, I just really have to tell you. You must have a really high pain tolerance. In all my years as an ER nurse, I have never seen someone bear kidney stone pain like you. Most people can't lay down and handle it. They walk around and try to get comfortable, even though there is no getting comfortable with that pain. But you just laid there and took it like a champ! Seriously, good job!"
*smug look towards Tom* NOW DO YOU BELIEVE I'LL BE A WUSS? HUH?? Okay, again, I can't blame him... I mean, the fact that I nearly fainted from reading about a broken nose says it all. I'm shocked I made it through this ordeal.
*PROUD MOMENT OVER*
After I got released, we rushed over to the nearest Target to get my Rx's filled. Once the drugs were in hand, I took them all at once. Guys? That is a really bad decision if you have next to nothing in your stomach. I puked up everything that touched my lips over the course of 20 hours... including water. So be careful with those pain pills. I quit taking them by the end of day one, because I knew hydration needed to trump pain. Also, just those few pain pills made me drowsy enough to sleep for (no joke) about 30 or more hours... and not just like dosing off, like knocked OUT... I would wake up for 10-15 minute intervals after a few hours asleep and then go back to it. It was crazyyy.
So I sort of missed Saturday and Sunday because I was asleep the entire time and dealing with the pain. Monday was my "day of hope." I could eat and drink and was determined to get this sucker out. I had been reading that gravity and loads of fluids worked in your favor in this situation. So, I kid you not, I sat on the edge of my bed and bounced and chugged water and bounced, bounced, bounced. The pain was still lingering and going in bursts, but I was getting desperate. LO AND BEHOLD the next morning that little nugget showed up in my pee strainer (that the hospital gave me, it wasn't from my kitchen, people). I obviously had to wake up Tom for the announcement, and the heavens rang out in alleluias. If you're wondering, it was TINY. Smaller than a pin head... how disappointing, right? Something SO TINY caused me so much pain!?!? Obviously I'm weird enough to keep it, so it's in a baggy in the bathroom closet.
Here is the true goodness of this long-winded record of my kidney stone ordeal (that maybe you didn't even care about reading... haha):
Some people out there are just meant to give perspective to the world. In such amazing, yet small, ways. As we were leaving the ER, Tom ran out to pull the car around. I was standing in the waiting room, hugging myself in clear pain. Writhing, really. I started to shuffle out the automatic doors in my baggy sweatpants, kind of gimping along, really slowly... when I suddenly heard from behind me, "I hope you feel better..." I turned around to see an older man with a prosthetic leg looking at me with a half-smile. I stopped in my tracks and thanked him as genuinely as possible. But I was blown away... here I am gimping out to the car that my husband brought around for me, and this kind gentleman with no leg hopes I feel better. That's incredible. Perspective is a crazy thing. Yeah, I'm really in a lot of pain, there is no denying that. But that dude lost his leg... could have been in war or from an infection, but that doesn't really matter. Every single day his life is harder than mine and he hopes I feel better? What perfect timing to get that perspective. God bless him.
Then, in Target, as I waited for the prescriptions to get filled, Tom ran up to buy me some apple juice. He came back and told me that the woman in front of him, with two young children in tow, had snatched the apple juice and paid for it. He told her no, but she insisted, "It's already scanned. I'm not going to make you wait for me to go all the way through. Merry Christmas!" Seriously? This sweet lady didn't even know that Tom was getting that juice for his sick wife. What a small, unforgettable gesture.
Moral of the story, always keep perspective. I've shared with you a detailed account of my awful kidney stone ordeal, which I hope was somewhat amusing... and if not, I can read it to my children as a bedtime story one day, right? Honestly though - no matter what you're struggling with, remember there are people who have it worse, and they still manage to keep their chin up. I would encourage you to remember this especially in the upcoming holiday season, but really, we should be remembering this all year round. Maybe the next time I see a parent with young kids, I can offer to help them get their shopping to their car, because that kind of person once helped me. Or pay for the car behind me in the drive-thru. Or take care of my incredible husband the same way he cared for me while I was sick. Or even just to acknowledge someone who looks lonely and brighten their day. It doesn't need to be anything fancy or costly... because the cost of perspective and compassion is priceless.
Stop Looking For Love
"Ugh... that's what EVERYONE says"
Maybe you should listen!
Have you ever been frantically running out the door because you're late for work but you can't find your freaking phone!?!?! You tear through your bedding, dig through your makeup case, check every pants or coat pocket you see, dig through your purse, and finally dump it out... only to realize... your phone is in your hand?
Everyone has a different love story, but I believe once you find it, you'll look back and realize it was right under your nose! You were just so set on looking for it that you didn't even notice it was RIGHT THERE. A lot of it has to do with timing, but nevertheless, it's just there.
Tom and I, as an example...
We met our freshman year of college. We had a lot of the same classes, and even carpooled to a class off campus. We were just friends. He had a girlfriend, and I had a boyfriend. But we clicked as friends and I verbally told him "I could never date you Tom. You're such a good friend"... and he agreed. We remained friends over the next two years. Our junior year, we worked side-by-side in the IT department on campus. A few of his friends had a thing for me and would go to him for advice, and I was asking him advice on how to get rid of them. Suddenly we were hanging out alone just because we liked each other's company. Still just friends. We went on friend dates and took turns buying drinks or movie tickets.
... and then we kinda got attracted to each other and it was weird. So we decided to TRY dating and see what happened. Well, almost 4 years later and we're married. All those years! He was right under my nose! It's like that quote up above - we quietly gave some love to each other, even if just as friends, and that's what we noticed. I noticed that he was patient, and he noticed that I was sarcastic.
But I wasn't LOOKING for it. The night we started "dating" I had had dinner with a friend and told her I was happy being single. I liked where I was and felt good about myself and independent. Literally TWO hours later I had a boyfriend. Bahaha... If we had dated at any point BEFORE that, I don't think we would have lasted. God knew when the timing would be perfect.
That's just one example though... but go out and ask your friends, parents, siblings, etc. I bet they'll tell you they were NOT looking for it.
All I'm saying is, go out and meet people. Go on dates, but if you don't want to, then don't! Go have coffee by yourself. I once got asked on a date in a Panera Bread while eating alone. Look up from your devices and meet people. If love doesn't come from it, confidence in yourself will.
So don't go looking for it. Pursue God, pursue yourself, and the rest will follow.
If you lost all your memories...
If you could keep only one memory, what would it be?
Isn't that a thought provoking question? Seriously though. I'm only 25, but to think of all the moments in my life that I hold dear, if I could only keep ONE...?
My mind starts to roll back into every season of my life. Does this question do the same to you? I think of being a young child and looking up to my older siblings, the times I spent with my grandparents before they passed, the family vacations, my nieces and nephews being born...
Personally, I skim over my middle school through high school years, because they seem insignificant to me. Isn't that odd? I guess it was the awkwardness of not fitting in and a lack of confidence. But those years made me who I am... would I be different if I had no memory of that time in my life?
College was great - how could I choose only one memory from those precious years? Or when I met Tom? Our wedding? Honeymoon? The countless memories of this first year and a half together?
HOW COULD YOU PICK?!
I just have no idea - memories are what make up your life! If I had to pick ONLY one, there is one that stands out to me so vividly. But it is simply the beginning of a culmination of hundreds that have followed, so it's really if I HAD to choose.
After our wedding, we drove to Chicago - still dressed in our wedding clothes. We arrived at our hotel and Tom loaded up a cart for our luggage. We got to our room, he took the luggage off the cart and was about to return it. But I wanted to get out of my TIGHT dress, so I asked if he could undo the buttons before he took the cart downstairs. I was standing in front of a mirror, simply by chance, and I stood there in my dress - a bride - while he so quietly, patiently, and lovingly undid those silly buttons. I just looked at us in the mirror. It was such a beautiful moment. He even had to use his keys to get them off! Haha! Then we grabbed dinner in the hotel restaurant and it was the calmest and most relaxing experience after all that planning and preparing. We were MARRIED. Mexico was awaiting us the next day! So that would be my memory... but I know over all the years to come, my choice in ONE memory will change.
What would you choose? Is this question as tough for you as it was for me?
+Moving -Friends
This is going to seem sort of mopey, but I gotta say it because it's true, and that's what I do on this blog. Sugar coating is not my thing.
Moving is real lonely.
- We moved somewhere where we have no family.
- I work with... myself.
- Tom works at his work.
- Sundays we go to church.
- I know a handful of people, mostly older than myself (and I am super grateful for that handful!)
When you move, there are always pros and cons. We were both ready to leave our jobs, be in a warmer climate, pursue things that we love to do, and make an overall change in life's routine.
You can't regret a move like that (and as I've said I don't believe in regrets... except for bad haircuts). Especially when your husband is doing what he loves for a living and feels challenged and appreciated. Plus, I have been given the opportunity to pursue creative efforts and dip into the waters of employment freedom - and that is a wonderful thing. Truly a blessing.
The all-availing con that I am left with is loneliness. I don't get to socialize everyday, which is tough, because I'm a very social person. Tom has his co-workers and a very social workplace, but HE is all I have as far as a social escape. I am happy doing what I am doing in my creative functions, I've sworn away desk jobs, and part-time jobs have finicky hours. I'm being picky here, but I feel blessed to have the freedom to be that way. Working part-time would give me social interaction (which I crave) but what about friendships? I have really learned that a professional environment should remain professional and your personal life and work shouldn't mingle too much.
That was an easy obstacle to overcome in Wisconsin, because all my best friends were still within driving distance and we made regular plans to see each other. My problem in Georgia is that for the first time, I don't know how to meet people. I mean, you can't just walk into some public place and expect to meet your next best friend.
Do you guys have any advice? Poor Tom can't keep walking in the door from work and have me koala him for the next 5 hours. For his sake, HELP ME!
Have any of you been in this situation before (moving and trying to make friends)? How did you overcome it? It's tough to randomly meet people the same age as me, or in the same stage of life. It kind of feels like trying to navigate middle school again. Comment below!
Also, because I'm not afraid to admit that I'm awkward, I have actually said to strangers "Yeah, I just moved here. I don't have any friends" and then they frown at me and I almost cry a little because it sounds so pathetic. HAHAHA...
10 Things I've Learned About Marriage
We are headed into October very, very soon.
And I suddenly realized that shortly thereafter Tom and I will have been married for a year and a half.
Okay, okay. I am not one of those "OMG! We've been married a year and 2 months and 12 days and 4 hours and 15 minutes and 6 seconds!" kinda gals. But I guess I also looked at my blog categories and realized the Weddings & Marriage portion is getting a tad dusty.
So here is a list of several things that, in the past year and a half, have made a difference in our marriage.
1. Don't fuss over the little things (just like everyone says)
This might seem like "Well, yeah I've heard this a million times... duh." But I really think this one is worth repetition. Do those strewn shoes you always trip on make you want to bang your head against a wall? If you were to lose the love of your life, you'd give anything for them to leave their shoes strewn around just one more time. Tom's shoes are always like this and I hate tripping over them... but over time, I've made less and less fuss over picking them up.
2. But the little things actually mean a lot
No, I am not contradicting myself here. The small things can make such a difference, especially when you acknowledge and appreciate them. When Tom does the dishes after I make something or picks up his shoes before I have to... Or how I always do the laundry, fold his clothes, and put them away. When I grab him a beer, while I'm grabbing one for myself, or how he gives me the last bite of ice cream. Those are such small things, but man-oh-man do they make a difference. Not only do I know he'll appreciate having clean clothes for the week, but he also TELLS me how much he appreciates that. Would he still do those random acts of kindness even if I didn't thank him for it? I'm sure he would, but being outwardly appreciated for it sure makes you want to keep doing it! And when he gives me that last bite of ice cream, you can bet he'll always get a wink and smile of appreciation from me :)
3. One bad day doesn't dictate your whole marriage
Sometimes I get in these funks where I'm just unforgivably annoyed. Nothing cheers me up. I'm grumpy and moody... and somewhere in there I let my mood dictate our relationship. Like I make the biggest deal out of the smallest things - it's unhealthy and pretty cruddy of me, as a person, to do. I'm getting better at it, and Tom is actually the bomb-diggity at cheering me up. But it is definitely a lesson I've learned. It isn't fair to my main squeeze and he deserves someone who isn't going to let a bad mood make their relationship a buzz kill too. Usually, coffee and a biggggg hug helps though.
4. It's not about you
Yeah... soooo... selfishness doesn't have a place in marriage. Period. You are encouraging, uplifting, holding, and supporting your spouse. Their needs go above yours. Sometimes that can be a transition. For me, I used to sometimes choose clothes shopping over grocery shopping and eat toast for a week. In marriage, that doesn't work. What, am I going to insist on that $85 dress instead of groceries for our week? No! It should be such a privilege and blessing to have someone to put before yourself. Do I feel a little "behind the times" in my wardrobe? Yep, but we aren't starving!
5. Bickering or fights are inevitable - but it matters how you go about it
We have a few rules for when we get nippy with each other:
- Do not talk over each other.
- Do not raise your voice (And if you do, and the other clocks you on it, there is no getting defensive. Just take a breath).
- Do not shut down.
- Absolutely NO name calling.
- Listen and respect what each other is saying.
- And do not diminish or demean each other's feelings.
We are two different people. Tom is not "my other half" and vise versa. We are individuals that work together as one, but we will have differing opinions, views, or ideas. So what ends up happening in our spats, is two people working to understand the other in open and honest communication. No putting up walls, just open. So truthfully, our "fights" are really pretty calm and I am so thankful we learned this right away and set up ground rules.
6. Laugh, laugh, LAUGH
We make jokes out of everything. I think it's my favorite part of marriage. All the inside jokes, secret signs to each other in public, and the ENDLESS sarcasm. Some would say that sarcasm in a marriage is damaging. If it sounds like this: "Oh of course you wouldn't ever do that. Because you neeevverrrr make mistakes. You're sooooo perfect!" then, absolutely - very damaging over time. However, sarcasm is built into our personalities and it sounds like this:
(While driving around looking for somewhere to eat)
"What do you want for lunch?"
"Ruth's Chris"
"So something cheap?"
We laugh a lot. It does the ab muscles good.
7. A little PDA does the soul some good
A while back, I wrote a post about holding hands (check it out here). This post still rings true to me. I hate seeing young couples, especially, not holding hands or showing any kind of affection. Okay, so you aren't "touchy" people. Or you don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. Sorry, but if people have an issue with me holding my HUSBAND'S hand, then we live in a weird, weird, society. It is the most non-intrusive way to show someone affection, and I for one will always be for it. Even a kiss on the forehead or a little peck is harmless in my book. I like people to know we belong together, and it makes me fuzzy when that guy grabs me around the waist and plants one on my forehead. He's letting the world know I'm his, and in doing so makes me feel pretty darn loved. I say keep up the PDA! At least to an extent... everything in moderation, right?
8. Plus other physical things
Okay, I'm not gonna get all "hot and heavy" on this part because I'm pretty sure our moms read this (haha sorry moms!), so all I'm gonna say is... be intimate and enjoy. What an awesome God-given gift. Yes, I'm talking about sex. I once read an article about a really old lady talking about marriage. When she started talking about sex, she said "I don't understand the excuse 'I'm too tired.' Unless you've been lifting boulders from sun-up to sun-down, then being tired is no excuse" I think that's good advice and keeps the excuses out of the bedroom.
9. Forgive and then forgive some more
This is huge. The thing is, you're gonna hurt each other, you're gonna be wrong, you're gonna be right, you're gonna make mistakes because you're human and you sin. So forgive, forgive, forgive. Forgive out of love, and because you're going to need forgiving too. You don't just say it, you MEAN it. I don't even have more to say about it, because it speaks for itself. You have a lifetime on this earth with this one person and you're going to come across disappointments and mistakes, so you had really better learn to forgive.
10. Marriage is really great
I'll just go ahead and say it. Marriage is so awesome. It is such a blessing that God gives us, and though we have plenty more to learn, and we'll have our share of ups and downs, going through life with someone who loves waking up next to you, kissing you goodnight, and everything in between is indescribable. You can't explain it, and unless you're in it, you don't really get it. One of my best friends who has known Tom and I from the start, was single up until this past year. Now she's with the guy she's going to marry, and I will never forget how she came to this realization one day: "Joy, you know I have always been you and Tom's biggest fan. I love your relationship, and I have always been so happy for you and listened to you talk about how much you love him. But I never fully realized what you meant until now. Now I GET IT. It's amazing and unlike anything else... and all those times you'd tell me about what it's like never made sense until now. I GET IT!" It's so true, there is just something you don't "get" until you're with the right person, and wow. It's so incredible.
I know we're only a year and a half in, but that first year teaches you a lot. You depend on someone else, and someone else depends on you. You aren't living this life for you, you first and foremost live it for God... but along your side is someone who will encourage you and live this life with you as a partner and companion. There will be more things to learn, and I am looking forward to the journey that comes with that.