In a few short days, the long awaited wedding day will be here. I will be marrying the sweet guy that my heart knew was the one 13 years ago. The past ten months have been a mix of emotions. All happy for the most part but there is always a touch of bitter sweetness with any life change. We are ready. We have used this preparation time not only to plan a grand party to celebrate with all our friends and families, but we have prepared ourselves by learning more about ourselves and each other. We have grown in our relationship. I know marriage changes things and I can already feel it happening. Our relationship is growing stronger. A different bond is starting to form that was not present before. He looks at me in a different way. He looks at me as his wife. It is a beautiful, sweet thing. No words can accurately describe the difference. As no one can really touch love - it is just there.
The last ten months have taught us a lot! Wedding planning in itself is good marriage preparation. We have learned how to negotiate our different perspectives. We have learned more about our families as we begin to combine not only our lives but merge two families and all the traditions of each. We have discussed and dreamed what our future will be like as a married team. It is a beautiful, sweet thing.
We have grown in our faith. We spent a weekend retreat discussing marriage as a sacrament and what that means to us. We have always loved a good religious discussion but to me these discussions have become even more meaningful because we are about to enter a very holy sacrament. We are both so grateful that God has blessed us with each other and all the amazing people in our lives. It is a beautiful, sweet thing.
Our Alma mater, Southern Miss, took care of us when the tornado that hit Hattiesburg destroyed our reception site. The day after the tornado, they were already contacting us to assure us that all will be worked out. They went way beyond what we expected them to do by providing us with a new reception spot that is beautiful and extra time to prepare the space. So many of the people in the wedding planning process have been so helpful. It is a beautiful, sweet thing.
We have been overwhelmed with love from all our families and friends. So many will be traveling a long distance to celebrate with us. They have showered us with encouraging words, congratulations and gifts. Family and friends have worked so hard to help us with many details of the wedding planning process. The love that we have felt has been the most beautiful, sweet thing. Thank you to all our family and friends. We love you all so much.
The work is done. This week will be a fun (and hopefully stress-free) week of visiting with family and friends who will be with us as we celebrate our love and start a new phase of our relationship together. I will be taking a break from blogging for a few weeks as I enjoy the honeymoon and the first few weeks of married life. I plan on being back by April 29th to share pictures and details. Check back then!
