the story of us: wedding.

April 22nd, 2012.

This is the day we got married. And it's hard to believe a year has already gone by. But time flies when you are having fun, right?!

It isn't that marriage has been perfect or simple or happy all of the time. It hasn't been those things everyday this year. The amount of work and communication and love and selflessness and sacrifice can be so astounding at times, and not even the greatest pastor or counselor can prepare you for the work involved. But the result of all those beautiful things and the mess that comes with it is so worth it. There aren't many words to describe this "result" and not that its even a result, because marriage is something to be worked on and cherished every moment of every day. And the stuff it teaches you about yourself is crazy! Depressing at times, but all really good stuff. All I know and hope is that marriage is supposed to glorify God, and I pray that it helps mold Gabe and I into the people that we are supposed to be.

So in commemoration of this wonderful day in our lives, I share this video with you. If you came to the wedding or didn't, this gives you a short glimpse of what went on that day. A HUGE THANKS to Teejay and Ryan B. for doing this and making a beautiful product. I recommend them for wedding videography and photography. Check them out!

the story of us: part 1.

I was always told to write stories down.

This particular story is a love story, one that is ongoing, until death does its part. I know that I will miss some details, or give my biased point of view, but this is the beginning of many of my personal hopes and dreams coming true. 

I met Gabe the winter of 2009, January to be exact, at a local show in my college town of Tuscaloosa. His band, named The Four Kicks at the time, was playing with a friend's (as well as ex-boyfriend's) band. I was one of a handful of local people there, and was intrigued when the Four Kicks announced they were from Nashville. Nashville! I was planning on moving there later in the spring, when I would graduate from the University of Alabama (ROLL TIDE!). I remember speaking with Gabe and Jordan from the band after their show and told them my plans to move. "Let's be friends!" was what I said to both of them. 

I wouldn't be in contact with Gabe until March that same semester (unless you count being Facebook friends). His band was back in Tuscaloosa, but due to unfortunate circumstances, could not play the show they had been scheduled. Gabe remembered a mutual friend of mine and his and retrieved my number to see if I had any suggestions for venues or restaurants. I was attending a Wilco concert in Oxford, MS and couldn't hear the voicemail, but I texted him back giving some suggestions. 

We finally met face to face while I was in Nashville hunting for a job and an apartment. It was May now. We chatted over Facebook and decided to meet up at Fido. I brought my two sisters, Rachel and Rebecca, my two nephews, Walker and Liam, and some of my sister's friends. A posse basically. Gabe was waiting with his friend and roommate Austin. The chemistry was imminent. The two of us talked exclusively almost the whole time, while Austin entertained my family and friends (and he is super funny). 

At the end of May, I graduated and moved all my life up to Nashville. Guess who contacted me the same day I moved up? That would be Gabe. And we hung out every single day for three weeks straight. A short break was taken while the Kicks took some gigs, but then the hang outs resumed. We had the conversation, "Should we date?" and unanimously decided "YES." 

This is the first part of our story. There are moments and times when I look back and think that the only way we could have ended up together despite all of our circumstances was by the grace and providence of God. There were moments in between these paragraphs where one of us forgot to text back, or the wrong signal was given, or someone was slow in responding, or whatever it may have been, but God kept his steady hand on the two of us. I will not fully understand it, but I will forever be thankful.

I love you, Gabe.

one or three years later

Wow. Three years and counting since my last post. What a whirlwind my life has been in the last three years! Some wonderful things have happened, some hardship, sadness, rejuvenation, blessings, joy, depression. I found a post I had started writing a year after my last post, which would have been two years ago. Even from that point so much has happened. 

"One year and one day later, I write my next blog entry. Where do I even start? The last I wrote, I was having car trouble. Proudly, I now drive a Honda Accord. Having a reliable car makes all the difference in the world. And since I have a new car, I am in the process of paying my dad back for it. I moved into a different apartment with a roommate in order to save money and took on a second job to help with the bills (also for experience, but more on that later). I have had to really stick to my guns of paying my car off. But I am working my way towards it, and will be so thankful when it is paid off. My car is the only debt I have. I think more and more these days of saving, putting money away, saving for a house, a future. Isn't that the goal? Not to live a cookie cutter kind of life, but when you look back on your life, you can say you worked for the things you have. I have also thought a lot about control and how much (or little) that I have over my life. Sometimes my plans for my life or my environment just absolutely consume me. And I think that it is my job to make sure that these certain things be done. I wouldn't call myself a planner. I actually despise the idea. More like a Free Spirit with an Idea of What's Ahead."

Reading back on your own posts can either make you laugh or blush. Sometimes I feel proud, but usually a bit silly. But since that unpublished post, I have gotten engaged, married, and about to celebrate a one year anniversary with my husband, Gabe. Yes, the same Gabe from my previous posts. We have such a wonderful and rich history together, and couldn't be happier to share my future with him. Married life has taught me so much about myself, and my relationship with others, and my relationship with God. This is a continuous conversation, a story of labor and love.

The second job, in the aforementioned paragraph, is now my only job as a Behavior Therapist, working primarily with children with autism. This has been a blessing and hard all at the same time. It has taught me so much about life, myself, and the way I want or don't want to raise my future children. When you work in behavior science, you tend to look at (and do) everything through that lens. (e.g., husband pokes me in ribs to make me laugh while in bad mood- IGNORE! nephew follows directions first time given- POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT!) It has also opened my eyes to what I want out of my career in the long run. This also will be a continuous conversation, but there are definitely exciting possibilities in the future!

Something I discovered that I am really passionate about is health and food. And I mean in every possible way. Earlier this year, I discovered I had hypothyroidism and borderline Hashimoto's disease. I had to really change my diet and take supplements to combat my slow thyroid. For years I have struggled with acne, low energy, stress and fatigue, minor depression, and hormone balance, and never thought it was all related to my thyroid. I'm not completely on the other side, but I haven't felt this good in years, and my focus on my diet and lifestyle has really helped for the better. Many of my posts will be about food and health related topics. 

I look forward to sharing life's beauties with you!