Two Years Down...

Today is our second wedding anniversary! I know I'm not the first to say this, but sometimes it feels like time has just flown by, and then there are other days where I feel like I can't remember not being married to Adam.

Ah, the memories... **prepare for picture overload!**

We had considered doing a wedding outside on my grandfather's property, but I'm too much of a worrier and not knowing what the weather would be like would have worried me to death. The weather ended up being perfect, though, so we were lucky enough to get some nice picture's by grandpa's lake.

The actual wedding day and the days leading up to the wedding gave me such precious time with some of my dearest girlfriends. Ugh... I love these girls and don't see them nearly enough. I was the last of my college roommates to get married, but it was all in God's timing :)

Adam seeing me for the first time. It was just a surreal moment.

Our ceremony was simple and sweet. And perfect. Our sweet friends did the music, we wrote our owns vows, and there were lots of laughs throughout.

Our reception was... unexpected and wonderful. We had chosen love-themed classic songs for "background music" because we just assumed people would sit and eat and talk. Wrong. They were ready to dance! The decorations, which were handled mostly by my mother and grandmother were perfect. Had all the rustic charm I had imagined.



I've experienced a lot and I've learned a lot in just two years of marriage, and I feel as if I should share. For those who are already married and those who are waiting for their future spouse...

• I have learned that marriage is one of the most powerful ways God teaches us about Himself and what our relationship with Him should look like. There are contast lessons about selflessness, mercy, forgiveness, patience, unconditional love, perseverance, prayer. The list could go on and on. I often catch myself thinking of my expectations for my husband, and if I apply those same expectations to myself, I can see what God would want from me. I am challenged to forgive Adam because I know God forgives me on a daily basis.
• Being married is beyond wonderful, but they aren't lying when they tell you it's work. But it's work worth doing. Relationships in general take work because you're dealing with two different people with two different sets of character traits, love languages, priorities, etc. And the whole male and female thing makes it even more interesting. But at the end of the day, you've made a covenant with each other and with God to make things work, and you do it not only because of the promise you made, but also because you love your spouse and you're willing to make the effort for them.
• Marriage is worth the wait. I remember when I was single that getting advice from friends who were dating or already married was pretty much going in one ear and out the other. All that crap about it being worth the wait and "it will happen in God's time"... it didn't help. haha. When someone told me to be patient and enjoy the time on my own, that was just annoying to me. And now I'm saying it, too, to those of you who are reading this and haven't met the one God made for you. Be patient. Enjoy your season of being single, because there IS purpose in this time and there IS a reason you haven't met them yet. Take advantage of this time to grow closer to the Lord, establish life-long friendships, learn how to be self-sufficient. Travel. Watch whatever you want on TV without someone making fun of your choice of entertainment (not that this ever happens to me now...). Enjoy spending holidays with YOUR family. Seriously, you're ignoring me now but you'll know what I'm talking about one day.
• I'm just going to say it, because it needs to be said. When you give your body away, you're giving your heart away. Please, please, please save intimacy for your future spouse. I have never been ashamed of the fact that I saved myself for my husband and I have never regretted this choice. God gave us sex to enjoy inside of a marriage relationship, not only to grow our family but also to strengthen the bond between husband and wife. It's an important part of marriage, and it is worth waiting for. Outside of marriage, it can complicate matters and hinder your ability to see your relationship clearly. If you're with someone who doesn't want to wait, THEY DO NOT DESERVE YOU. Move on.
• I really believe that Dr. Gary Chapman knows that he's talking about with the five love languages. This is really one of the most important things to master if you want to have a successful marriage, and to be honest, it's not easy. We tend to love people the way WE want to be loved, and that isn't always effective. I will admit, I need to work on this. I will put it on my to-do list :)
• Compromise. Compromise. Compromise.
• Compromise.

Adam, you're my best friend and I am so thankful to have you walk beside me through the bad times and to have you share in the joy of the good times. You make me laugh like no one else and your creativity and passion for the things you love is inspiring. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us!