why we said i do.

We were madly in love.
I was nineteen. He was twenty-two.
Some said we were too young. Too immature. Too naive.
They told us to see the world. Travel. Experience life a little more.
To wait until we got a degree. A job. A home. Then maybe we'd be ready.
I never understood why those, of all things, were the qualifications for marriage. 

I wanted to see the world, travel, experience life, start a family, and grow old. 

Except, I didn't want to do it alone... I wanted to do it with him.
If I needed anyone during this life here on earth, it was him. 

To me, marriage was not sacrificing the ability to live life;
it was the blessing that allowed me to live it to its fullest.

 Because I've had him through all the ups and downs, successes and failures, and during all the phases in between, by life has been richly blessed. I don't know why I would want to experience all of this without him. 

Marrying young has been one of the best decisions, and greatest blessings of my life.

August 16, 2013 was the day we made a commitment to each other. An eternal commitment bound by God. We promised to love unconditionally, forgive fully, and prepare our lives for eternity. We were in this together, and that's exactly what we wanted. 

Today, there are marriages that end in distrust, dishonesty and divorce. We were fully aware of the odds, but chose to fight against them. Not every marriage works out, but we made an everlasting promise to each other that ours would be one that did. There is comfort knowing that no matter what comes our way, he will be there for me. He will comfort me. Protect me. And love me. 

Marriage has been a beautiful journey, filled with love, kindness and compassion. We promised to forgive each other, to grow together, and change together. There have been many times that I have sought for his forgiveness, and understanding, in which he has gracefully given me his love. 

We both grew up with amazing examples in our lives that gave us the hope that we could accomplish this journey. Our parents have done it, we can do it, and we are. My parents have taught me many things, but most of all they taught me how to love. Even after all the stinky diapers, terrible twos, and the dreaded teens, my parents are still in love. Life has not been easy, but they have accomplished it all together. My dad will still come home from work and spin my mother around, only to dip her while giving her a kiss. My mom still makes sure that dinner is ready when he gets home, and they both make sure that they have time for each other among all of their other responsibilities. My parents have always put each other first. Always. And when it comes to love, time is most important.

He and I chose to live this life together, and we are loving every minute of it. I will never regret the un-bought plane ticket to Africa, the other men I could have dated, the degree I have not yet completed, and certainly not the the choice I made to spend my life with him.

Instead, we get to experience this crazy little thing called life, together.
And that's what this blog is all about.

our lives--from the very beginning.