It's been over 1 year!!

Its been over a year since we got married. We as a couple have had a multitude of adventures.

We have moved 2x, changed jobs, and made some decisions. I added a new kind of position as of September 1st this year.

You have been great about rolling with the punches.
Today you aren't here, you are traveling for work. It's weird, I have been home a week after being gone for 13 days and now you are gone for the week.Its a great opportunity for you and I am excited.

Someday the hope is to move to KY or somewhere outside of Illinois, as much as there are some ties in IL, there are plenty of opportunities at other locations. For this season of our lives we are in IL, however, there is a possibility of the season changing rapidly after Feb of 2019.

One of the oddest discussion we have had to date is about children. We have agreed that unless the good Lord laughs at us we are not having biological children. Now in the future, someday we may consider adoption if we felt led, but it was nice to have a clear conversation and not have that on the table.

I know some people are shocked when they hear us talking about not having kids, but you deal with them with so much more grace than I do. I can deal with it, but you just are calm and collected and polite, sometimes I get annoyed with people asking when are we having kids.

post one of soo many

Loved one, I will not name you in this blog.I will refer to you as J. Maybe later in time with permission.. I might go back and change it.

I know our story is going to be different. We were matched through eHarmony, and we really clicked, and the things we didn't made it even more interesting .

We talked online for hours, then texted, then really talked on the phone. I still don't think you have any idea how rare it is for me to talk on the phone. I was so worried about your accent, and it didn't bother me at all, it felt smooth like good whiskey.

Then we planned our first real date.. I was so nervous. It  was incredible in the park and the coffee shop. We talked about some really hard stuff, life, theology, Faith, children, adoption, and everything else we could think of. We sat on the bench together and it felt safe.. I know you don't know yet how important that is, but to me it was incredible.  We talked about so much my head and heart felt full.

Your maturity of faith takes my breath away. You listen to what I have to say even if it is conflicting with my own theology, we talked today about a hot button issues and you listened without judgement or anger, that was so important to me. I know we agreed on the main points, but the fact that you were willing to hear me out was wonderful.

You make me feel like a princess; an independent yet supported princess. It's a wonderful feeling  and I am so glad that God found you for me.

I love you, (Surprise, I haven't said it in person yet)

You met my parents for the first time yesterday

So yesterday was the big day. You met my parents for the 1st time. (sort of)

 When you got to the house, George (the dog) and I were taking an walk.George went right up to you and leaned in for a pet.. I was speechless. He NEVER does that. I teared up and tried to hide it. You gave me  hug and we went inside. You met my mom. She was working on a quilt. I made tea, and started dessert. ( Apple dumplings) We talked and looked at stuff on etsy.  When the apples were done, we headed to town.

We got coffee at HeBrewz Coffee. Just a plain latte for you. Your face when you tried it was priceless.(YUM)
We talked about our dislike of contemporary Christian praise music, the repetitiveness and the loss of meaning and impact. It was a good start..

Then, we headed to Carbondale to get lunch at the Co-op. You were like a kid in a toy store. I fell in love with you a little more. You were so enthusiastic about all the different options in the store. Their hot bar was the perfect spot for lunch, you had Chula masala..( Chickpea something) and wild rice with tofu ( None for me thanks) and a cherry apple cider drink( that tasted okay) . I had a chicken salad sandwich and peach tea. It was yummy.  I got done much faster than you eating, but I had time to talk and listen to you while you ate.  After we were done, we actually explored the Co-op and picked up a few things. Orange chocolate for me, a pb and jelly cookie for you. 

After that, we headed to the mall to walk around. We looked around, found a few things that were interesting. I think I found your ring( we will have to see) . We looked at cookware, talked about Dutch ovens and how to clean them.. No, soap is not evil if its got an enamel coating. :) Talked about fancy clothing, and how sometimes what looks good on a mannequin does not always look good on a person. I fell more in love. Time slipped away.

Suddenly! it was time to run to Kroger to get mushrooms and Ice cream. We picked up the Kroger brand  Vanilla Ice cream and it was delicious. I saw an ice cream with hazelnut and mascarpone I wanted to try, I was going to buy it for myself and you wouldn't let me :) I let you carry the mushrooms (yuck) but we got them.  Then, it was time to head home.

We got home, made dinner and talked. Mom waved "hi" she was still feeling sick. Dinner turned out good, Chicken Marsala with wild rice and cucumber salad. You volunteered to pray.. Wow. Your faith continues to impress me.  The apple dumplings were a big hit. You and dad talked for a while during cooking and after. I had an email come in about work so I went to the back to get that taken care of, I was not worried about you, it looked like you two were enjoying chatting. When I got done, the 3 of us talked for a bit more. You volunteered to do the dishes, something my dad would normally have said no, but... He let you.  Dad went to the back to give us some time for just the two of us. 

I turned on the tv and sat in front of you while you sat in the recliner. I think I put on food network... I actually have no idea. We talked and you rubbed my shoulders.. It felt wonderful. We continue to fit together like 2 pieces of a puzzle. What I didn't expect is that you would fit with my family so well, its not just me in the puzzle, you fit my families puzzle also.

I know when you read this you are going to laugh about some of the weird stuff I wrote, but I wanted to capture as much as I possibly can.

The story of how we decided to get a promise ring

So after our first date we talked on the phone about getting serious.. I wasn't quiet ready to get engaged.I was already starting to talk to my mom about you, so she mentioned it. The thought of being promised had potential..

So I brought it up.. and you loved it.
We looked on etsy and you sent me a multitude of options.. I love the wooden ones and you found a few beautiful options.. Then it happened: you found the perfect one that balanced the dark wood with the blue in the middle. I was kind of surprised you went for it, to be honest, but I absolutely love how it looked in the pictures.

We talked about what the promise ring meant to us, and where it was supposed to be worn.. That took some research. Eventually we decided on the left hand as it was to be replaced by the engagement ring. I started to fall more in love with you . I know I still haven't said the words out loud.


Your favorite Bible verse  gave me confidence. It is also one of my favorites, knowing God knows the plans he has for us.. gives me the faith  to continue to grow in my love of you.

music...

Today we talked about music.  It started with a simple question. What is the first song you remember learning.. A hymn or other. You told me either Achy Brake-y Heart or a hymn. I told you about "einer meiner anner minner mo" you asked if it was German,
Nope its actually English.

The music discussion continued, the 40's 50's 60's.. the Beatles.. My mom heard part of our conversation and asked if  you were eating them or listening to them. :) 

Tomorrow you are meeting my parents for the 1st time.. I am excited and a little nervous.. but I am not worried about George. He will like you .

Dinner for you tonight was cheese bread and sardines.. I'm making roasted chicken and veggies.

As I was on the phone with you, you heard my dad say "as you wish" to my mom.. it meant I Love you..they have been saying it as long as I can remember. One day perhaps you will say it..

For now, I love you works great.  Drive safe tomorrow.

You asked me to marry you today!

I said yes.
My soul feels content. I can't wait for our wedding day to show you this blog. I know many peiole will say that this is too fast. Least than a month of dating, but eHarmony took care of the  chit chat. We started deep and its just continued. We are like puzzle pieces. We fit, complement eachouther. You fell after you proposed, the rain made slick mud. I laughed.☺ but your fall made it possible for you to stay stay in the recliner overnight and come to church with me in the morning. I am Sooo excited to see what the future holds. I love you.

To

So.. We moved the date up :)

So we moved the date up..
ITs THURSDAY!! This week.

I am getting nervous and excited. We talk about everything, and yet I know in the end there is more.
I've been working on my vows, and decided to share the ones that didn't make it to the actual wedding at the end of this post. I know you will get to read them Thursday night. I haven't finished packing yet. I feel like I am forgetting something, but the most important parts are already taken care of.

I ended up getting a white tea length dress with a crinoline( its blue or red, I haven't decided yet.) My hair is just long enough for combs, which you dropped off at the florist. :)

We still haven't figured everything out related to logistics, where we are going to live etc, but I know that it will work out.

My family is excited to gain a son. I am ecstatic to have someone to lean on forever . Life is an adventure , and I will travel it with you.

Vows , not the ones for church, just for (my future spouse) and you all to read.

(J)

You have become my best friend. I never expected to find a match on E-harmony. We matched %100. I figured it was worth a date. Little did I know, I would fall in love with you!   We went to the Giant City and walked and talked for hours.

“To face the future with another, who means more than any other, is to be loved.” —The Rescuers .

I found my other.

I feel safe with you; you help me push my own limits. I promise to keep on it.

You give me hope on bad days, you listen to me vent,

You hold me when I cry( And we both know that’s often)

You have listened to me talk about life and help me look toward the future.  You challenge me in every aspect of my life(for the right reasons). I promise to support your dreams and to respect our differences.

I love you

No matter what life sends us in terms of wealth or health, I will be with you, to talk over our options, to laugh and to cry , and when needed, to make a decision. I promise, when I can, to give you the time you need to do research, and to make myself clear when there isn’t time. 

I promise:

·        to share cooking and dish duty

·        To try to kill the little spiders all by myself

·        To hug you when you need it, to give you space when its required

·        I promise to try to pretend to be excited about the Cards game around your family and friends.

·        I promise when we have “discussions” I will try not to bring up the past.

·        To look on the bright side of life when I can

·        I promise “Semper Gumby” will continue to be how we make plans, and to not get horribly upset when the plans change.

And last one  :) 

I promise to fully share my life with you,  until this earthy adventure is done.