From Mine to Ours

I guess that time has come when it's not just "Mel's Memoir" anymore... I feel like redesigning my blog is the first step towards my new married life. haha Okay not really, but it's kind of fun to think that I get to share my life with that cute face, how could I not include him on here?

In ONE WEEK I get to marry my best friend, Matt. It's so crazy to look back and see how far we've come. It's crazy how fast life can change, and how what we thought we had planned wasn't really what was coming. That doesn't even make much sense, but to me it does.

I met Matt a year ago... he was sitting in my apartment one evening when I came home and I sat down and starting talking to him. I found him to be so interesting! I wanted to get to know him better. Lucky for me, he kept coming around... about everyday for 2 weeks until the semester ended. He was leaving for the summer and I didn't think I'd see much of him again. I remember thinking that if he were to stick around, something good could have come of our friendship we had so quickly built.

I spent the summer building new relationships, working my job, and preparing for a mission. As the fall semester approached, I thought of Matt and wondered when he'd be coming back and if I'd see him again. I remember the excitement that ran through me when I got a text from him telling me he was on his way back into town. I was thrilled that he remembered me. He called me the next day he had gotten back and we agreed to meet at the park. I was nervous. I tried on a bunch of different outfits... I hardly even knew why I cared so much, I barely knew him. Now this is cheesy, but it's the truth... I called him when I got to the park because I didn't know where he was. I stood there glancing around nervously just waiting for him to pop into sight, and then he did. At first I felt awkward... who is this kid? Why was I so in to him? And then we started to talk and I remembered. It was like he never left. It was like we'd been friends for a long time. We spent the whole evening together and started making plans for future days. I was so drawn to him, I wanted to spend all my time with him. That was a rare thing for me. I tend to be very selfish with my time, so I knew that when I was willing to leave my other responsibilites behind to be with him, he musta been something special.

We started to date exclusively, nothing felt more natural. However, there were several bumps in the road. Matt and I faced some difficulties, some challenging differences, but instead of tearing us apart, they brought us closer together. I saw Matt through new eyes, I loved him more than I knew possible. I had no idea what my heart was capable of. He was so patient with me as I dealt with the trauma of having a mission call and a serious boyfriend. There were months of turmoil as I poured over what to do. In addition, he had an emergency open heart surgery; an experience that personally touched and changed my life. It deepened my love and respect for Matt and opened my eyes to God's mercy and miracles. I knew in that hospital that Matt was my best friend, and I wanted to spend forever with him.

Less than two months later, Matt proposed. I will forever be grateful that he did.

In one week we get to go to the temple and be sealed. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to share my love and my life with Matt. I had no idea how challenging, but rewarding a relationship can be. It's incredible how we can work together to help each other become the best version of ourselves. It's amazing how he is strong in the areas that I am weak. I'm left in awe at his ability to listen and communicate in just the right way. How rich life is when you feel loved, understood, and cared for, and are able to give that in return. God has such a great plan- life was never meant to be easy, but how blessed I feel to have a companion to go through the ups and downs with. It makes the good times that much better, and the hard times that much more bearable. I believe marriage really is one of the greatest aspects of God's plan; we need each other to progress. What a refining experience it will be to be a wife and someday a mother. I look forward to it with all the excitement and anticipation I can muster.

I am blessed.