5 Years
It's been a hot minute since I last wrote a personal post...
needless to say, life has been just a "tad" busy since then.
However, seeing that today is our 5 year wedding anniversary, I felt inspired to write my incredible husband an online "card" or so to speak... something that would be stamped into the interweb for us (& our children) to always be able to look back on, as well as to help add some well-needed LIGHT & LOVE in general --- a reminder to any out there that are searching for true love, wondering if it is real or if "their person" exists... I firmly believe he or she does.
Never stop trusting, praying & believing. 
Without further ado,
to my husband :
Hi lovies,
Remember this?
"I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go,
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.
And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter,
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.
But marriage seldom thrives,
And homes are incomplete,
Till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.
In homes where Christ is first,
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three."
As I was reflecting on these past 5 years today,
I honestly cannot believe EVERYTHING that has happened...
my gratitude "cup" is overflowing & my heart is in awe of it all.
We are SO blessed, aren't we?!!! and I am forever GRATEFUL.
And that's when this poem that Rachel read at our wedding came to me --
it is so true, isn't it? Marriage really does take three.
Thank you God for being our ROCK!
It was at this moment that I also felt called to write you your anniversary card here... on my little ol' blog.
A place where I have poured my heart out for over a decade.
A place where you got to know me, my heart & my art from the very start.
A place that we can always look back on & say...
"remember when"...
we first met, 7 years ago?
The days of sunshine rides in the jeep with the top off & when your home was still a bachelor pad?
needless to say, life has been just a "tad" busy since then.
However, seeing that today is our 5 year wedding anniversary, I felt inspired to write my incredible husband an online "card" or so to speak... something that would be stamped into the interweb for us (& our children) to always be able to look back on, as well as to help add some well-needed LIGHT & LOVE in general --- a reminder to any out there that are searching for true love, wondering if it is real or if "their person" exists... I firmly believe he or she does.
Never stop trusting, praying & believing.
to my husband :
Hi lovies,
Remember this?
Just two to make a go,
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.
And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter,
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.
But marriage seldom thrives,
And homes are incomplete,
Till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.
In homes where Christ is first,
It's obvious to see,
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three."
As I was reflecting on these past 5 years today,
I honestly cannot believe EVERYTHING that has happened...
my gratitude "cup" is overflowing & my heart is in awe of it all.
We are SO blessed, aren't we?!!! and I am forever GRATEFUL.
And that's when this poem that Rachel read at our wedding came to me --
it is so true, isn't it? Marriage really does take three.
Thank you God for being our ROCK!
It was at this moment that I also felt called to write you your anniversary card here... on my little ol' blog.
A place where I have poured my heart out for over a decade.
A place where you got to know me, my heart & my art from the very start.
A place that we can always look back on & say...
we first met, 7 years ago?
The days of sunshine rides in the jeep with the top off & when your home was still a bachelor pad?
not even 2 months into dating.
& "Glen Arbor : the trip that never happened"
),
shared many awesome birthday celebrations,
and inspired each other with our love for health & nutrition (and laughter sprinkled in between
). 
enjoyed countless walks, adventures & dog parks with Jones...
& found God everywhere.
& took one of my most favorite pictures to date of us there, too.
& it was only just the beginning.
from up north adventures to holidays to our friend's weddings.
You so heartfully planned out what was, & still is to this day, one of THE BEST days of my life!
Then the journey of planning a wedding began...
but through it all these words kept us aligned, calm & relaxed.
& it was MAGICAL.
"the best was yet to come."
experienced many seasons together...
& apparently took lots of selfies, too.
who knew how much joy a tiny little dog could bring us all!
#whorescuedwho
)... 
Oh the journey was only just beginning...
There are truly no words for my IMMENSE gratitude.
together as a team,
we have been learning these words to be true.
I just am overwhelmed with this incredible life God has given us.
I am truly in awe... & I will never take any of it for granted.
Truth be told, I have only lightly grazed past everything that has happened in these 5 years above...
there have been many more BIG things that have happened (like moving & our new home!),
but it's funny how sometimes it will be the "tiniest" moments that sometimes grasp my heart the most.
Like last night,,,
as I held our daughter & we both waved and watched you & Jobie play outside --
him climbing on top of you, hugging you, shrieks of laughter coming out of us all...
I literally felt like time stopped for a minute.
One whole blissful minute to remind me, yet again,
how precious this life is & how blessed I AM because YOU (& our beautiful kiddos) are in it.
Thank you for being the most amazing husband & father...
and for always working on being the best version of yourself.
Thank you for always making time for me & for us all.
Thank you for loving me & seeing the best in me, imperfections, brokenness & all.
Thank you for working SO hard for our family.
Thank you for every. single. thing. that you do.
These past 5 years have been SO FULL.
We have worked hard, loved, made sacrifices, given back, loved some more, laughed, yelled, cried, shared, vented, rejoiced, thanked...
& even on the hardest of days, we always manage to come back to each other quickly.
WHAT. A. BLESSING !!!
I hope you know how much I appreciate you & notice you.
YOU are a gift from God.
& as much as I look forward to what the next 5, 10, 15, 50+ years bring us...
I am going to take it all one precious day at a time.
I am going to try to hold your hand more (in between us chasing our kiddos around
),
kiss you more often & remind you how very loved you ARE every day...
even if in the smallest of ways.
God was able to grow our hearts even bigger than we could have ever imagined &
He is doing the same for me for you with each & every passing year.
I am so grateful that you are holding my hand as we walk through this life together.
I am honored to be your wife, the mother to our children & your best friend.
I am so thankful that you are my person.
You are my everything.
ps. How about we start planning for that dream family trip to Italy for our 10 year?!
pps. This morning's quote read, "There is no instinct like that of the heart."
ppps. I love you more.
Always & forever,
Your lovies