A whole year

Mikey and I are celebrating our first year anniversary today. In many ways it feels like we got married last Friday, but in other ways it feels like we have been married forever. I cant remember what my life was like without him in it.

Many have said that the first year of marriage is the hardest, we had our moments no doubt, but it was truly bliss. Mike is my best friend.  He has changed me, he pushes me, loves me, humbles me, builds me up, teaches me, uses so much patience toward me, he makes me laugh everyday, he forgives me, he keeps me interested, and he serves me to no end. I am so grateful that I have him. I am so glad that I chose him. And I will always feel so blessed that he chose me too.

Here is a quick recap of our last year:
We were sealed for time and all eternity in the Draper Utah Temple. We moved into our first apartment together. We took classes together. We finished 2 semesters of school. He started a new job. We bought a car. We traveled to Maui, Disneyland, St. George, Cedar City, Manti, Logan, Oceanside, and Lake Powell. We went on a date every week. We began some of our own traditions and made so many memories.  I know its cliche but I cannot imagine how much more I will love him in 70 years, if I love him this much more after one fast year.

My good friend Parker did our wedding video and he did an amazing job, the link is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdSYJM5MPBU

Cheers to us babe! Happy first anniversary!
lots of love,
Brookeydee

new

There is something really magical about the first few months of a romantic relationship.  It’s a time filled with excitement, flirting and discovery. Experiencing all the firsts of your relationship and recounting the goodness to your best friends, sisters, and mom.  It’s a time that you enjoy just being with this new person in your life that is exempt of pressure and expectations.  It really is a time that is full of fun and romance!  I found myself thinking back to those days wishing that it could be that time again. As I pondered a while longer, I changed my mind.

I will be the first one to admit, I do not flirt tirelessly with my husband via text and conversation all the waking hours of the day like I did when we had first met.  I do not stay awake until the wee hours of the morning to spend time with him or talking to him on the phone like we used to before we were married.   I do not hang on every touch and kiss like I once did. Our relationship is not free of pressure and expectations.

These feelings and actions have been replaced by companionship, friendship, service, trust, and unconditional love. We had the opportunity to attend our Stake's temple night last week.  As we wrapped up our evening an elderly woman approached me and asked how long we have been married. I told her just under a year. She said wow! Your love for one another is so apparent!  You two are doing something right in your relationship, keep it up. That was absolutely the kindest compliment I have ever received. My marriage is a huge priority in my life and I love hearing from strangers that our love for each other is visible.  Seriously, that conversation made my month!

Whether its been a great or terrible day I yearn for that hug and kiss I get when I walk in the door, every single day. I love playfully making dinner together each evening! I love sitting next to my hubs at dinner and talking about our days and sharing all the funny stories. I love leaving notes and surprises for him to find. And I love finding those little things that he does for me.  I love when he does a few extra chores to make my day easier. There is no feeling that compares to the safety security and love that I get to experience every day in my committed, not new, married relationship. I LOVE IT! I would not trade it for anything. I am so grateful for our marriage and for my Mike.  I love him more than I have words to explain. 

Lots of love,
Brookeydee

6 months towards our eternity

We hit our 6 month anniversary yesterday!  When people used to say "marriage is hard" I didn't really understand what they meant.  These past few months have begun to teach me exactly what that means.  Finding compromise and putting together two families and backgrounds is HARD.  There have been some really hard and dark moments.  I know there will be more in the future as well, but the last six months have also been magic.

There are few things more comforting than knowing that I get to go home to my best friend every single night.  That I get to share with him my everything.  That he honestly cares about my well being before his own.  That he will hold me, support me, make me laugh, and listen.  I love that I get to reciprocate those things right back to him, it is so rewarding.  He reminds me everyday that he was the right choice.  He reminds me everyday that my love for him continues to grow.  He reminds me everyday of our Heavenly Father's plan for us and that we get to be together forever.

Six months isn't that long, and I am grateful for that, cause I get forever!  But these first six months are something to celebrate.  How grateful I am for a wonderful husband.

Here are some of my favorite memories of our first 6 months:
-The wedding, duh
-the honeymoon.. also duh
-moving into our first apartment
-a trip to Disneyland
-getting accepted into UVU's elementary program
-buying a car together
-taking a few classes together last semester
-our first Christmas

I love these photos by the amazing Mikki Platt from our engagement session.  These are just so real and so us.

Lots of love,
Brookeydee