The Journey to July 16, 2005...and a little bit more

*Disclaimer: This note is the same as my most recent Facebook note.* :)

On this day 5 years ago I married my very best friend. I know that it might sound a little cheesy but I have to say that I am still as incredibly in love with and smitten by this man as I was when we first started dating in February of 2002! I will never forget when we first met-the Ladies of Lee spring retreat (he was there as a guest pianist). I had seen him playing piano and knew who he was from friends who were in the Lee Singers with him, but we didn't actually get to talk until lunch time rolled around. I still insist to this day that the last available seat just happened to be across from him but he will tell you that I purposely sat down to be near him. :) Regardless of which story you believe, we finally had a chance to talk and he must have found me at least slightly interesting to talk with because at the next available break from singing, there he was in front of me ready to talk some more! The days that followed were met with much excitement and anticipation as I walked on campus or happened to be in the music building....I was eager to run in to him and that's exactly what happened! On January 28th, we met for our first date- lunch at Panera. Over the next year and a half we were able to share our time at Lee during the school year and visiting one another at home in Virginia and Pennsylvania. We still talk about how special our time was at Lee and how much we miss taking walks together in the evening on campus. I also have very fond memories of the summers when we would visit one another. It was so special when Matt would surprise me with an unplanned visit. Sharing that time with our friends and family was so special. So, in the Fall of 2003, after graduating from Lee in the spring of 2003, Matt stepped into a new adventure- grad school at Belmont University. I still had 2 years to go at Lee and so we embarked on the challenge of being in a long-distance relationship. We had known early on in our relationship that one day we would get married...and so, after one semester apart, on December 14, 2003, we got engaged! (Of course, that's another long, detailed story that I'll have to share at another time.) Over the next year and a half we worked hard at doing well in school and making time to see each other--alternating driving to Nashville and Cleveland--and celebrated graduation together (May 7, 2005 for me-B.S. in Human Development from Lee & May 14, 2005 for Matt- M.M. in Church Music from Belmont). May and June were exciting months that we spent celebrating with our friends, Matt & Laura, who were married May 28th and preparing for our own wedding which was to come on July 16th. Matt moved in with my grandparents in mid-May and worked at a local plant in Winchester so that he could be nearby to help with wedding planning/decisions. My mom and I worked on the final wedding details while Matt was working. (Having that time with my mom was so special and I will always treasure that time we were able to share.) During the week before our wedding, we spent time with our friends and family, enjoying a relaxing pool day, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and wedding prep. Finally, the big day was here! I remember it started off a bit hazy and pretty hot...and while the heat stayed strong, the haziness broke and we enjoyed a beautiful summer day! The morning was busily spent getting ready in anticipation of the 1 o'clock ceremony. It's amazing how months and months of planning go into one day and how quickly that day goes by. I did my best to take in every second and it was purely magical. I can honestly say that everything was absolutely perfect! Even the missing cake topper didn't put a damper on the festivities (and some quick thinking from Lindsey provided the perfect topping for a delicious cake!) Adding to the humor was the interesting arrangement of the chocolate fountain (a surprise from Matt's fam!) It was everything and more than I could have ever imagined for our special day! Our journey from that day to this day five years later has taken some interesting twists and turns. When we took our vows on that special day, all we knew of "for better, for worse" was the understanding of what we had seen or heard from other married couples who had been there, done that. As we've experienced things together for ourselves, we have been reminded of our vows time and again and are so blessed to have been carried in our Savior's loving embrace through it all. We have been blessed to welcome a beautiful son into our family and look forward to adding to our little family of three in the near future. We have been blessed to work side-by-side in ministry and although we are experiencing that in a different capacity right now, we have complete faith that our steps are ordered and that God has great things in store. I count myself extremely blessed to be married to such an incredible man. As a teenager, I prayed for you, Matt, and God answered my prayer...and then some! I am still as in love with you today as when we first fell in love. When you hold my hand, I still get butterflies. I am amazed that you still take the time to surprise me and it means the world to me that you care enough to keep the romance alive. Thank you for being the strong, godly man that you are. Thank you for loving me unconditionally--flaws and all. There is no one I would want to share this journey with more than you. Here's to the next 5, 10, 20, 50, and more years to love and live together!

More summer fun

Here are some of our latest pics from summer fun!

Enjoying a breakfast treat from Dunkin' Donuts.

Swingin' during our visit to Possibility Place.

Being silly at Grandma & PopPop's.

Best buds!