The cynic turned romantic...

When Hubs and I first started dating back in 2008, I was all kinds of messed up.  I had gotten out of a very painful marriage that I can confidently say hurt both parties immensely, endured a few screwed up post-breakup relationships, and had simply given up on love.  My heavy heart felt like it couldn't risk the chance of opening up and letting anyone near it. 

So, what do I do?  I become a cynical bitch.  True story.  There's no risk of getting hurt if you don't care about hand holding, or making plans with someone that you enjoy being around, or waking up cuddled next to the person that you love.  For a while, I convinced myself that I had just shut all of that stuff off.  I did such a great job of convincing myself this that even The Notebook made me nauseous... probably because I was so lonely but I said it was all of the "love crap" that made my stomach turn.  I decided to focus my energy on becoming the best teacher that I could be and that friends and family were enough.


And in walks Joe.

He was friendly, handsome, and confident, loved to have a good time, and was a gentleman who not only opened my door but would put his hand on the small of my back as he guided me through a room.  Oh. My. Goodness.  As hard as I tried not to care, he completely turned my world upside down.  The cynical side of me would tease him about being as sappy as a country song but, in my head, my inner romantic girl was swooning and clutching her hands to her chest as she sighed.

I don't know how he did it but he managed to show me exactly what true love really is.  Our relationship hasn't been perfect and we have had to overcome some very rough obstacles but truly by the grace of God, we have managed to make it.  I've never experienced anything like this... a relationship where even after so long, I still get butterflies in my stomach when he grabs my hand.  He makes me excited to live life and have adventures.  He is patient with me when I'm acting like a complete "B".  He makes me laugh, he holds me when I cry, and when my inner pessimist is coming out, he helps me see the optimistic side.  And unlike any romantic relationship that I have been in, he makes me communicate when all I want to do is clam up.  I'm not sure what I was looking for in a husband... but somehow I managed to not settle and found exactly what I needed... 

So, please excuse me for my sentimental post (I am still on that Honeymoon High) but I wanted to share a few of our wedding pictures, as well as the Vows that we wrote to one another since our family and friends weren't there.  Enjoy!  :)

His Vows 

Never in my life, has anything or anyone made me feel like you do.  Everything I do with you has an incredible intensity of feeling.  Whether it be skydiving, or even the most mundane of tasks, it is magnified by the magnificent love that I feel with you.

Never did I think that so much pleasure could be found  in planting flowers, listening to music, or even a night time walk through a trailer park.

We had a few great dates, yet I feel that our adventure started when you agreed to play hooky to go to the zoo with me.  I was completely ecstatic about going to hang out with you.  It wouldn't have mattered if it were the zoo or a barren wasteland that we were going to.  What mattered is that it was with you.

This is my vow.  I vow to hold on to the intense emotion of love that I feel with you in all things we do.  As long as we hold onto that feeling, nurture it and never let it diminish, then all things will fall into place.  No matter what we do, where we go, what we have, I will always hold onto our adventuresome love.  I will love you as long as there is breath in me.  With passion, warmth, and most of all, with the spirit of life you inspire in me. 

Her Vows

My Sweet Joe,

From the moment that you walked into my life, my world has never been the same.  How could I have known that some random set-up would lead me to not only my love but my best friend?  You have given my life a whole new meaning by showing me that true, unconditional love doesn't just exist in the novels that I read as a young girl.  It is something very real, something that you exhibit daily, and for this, I will forever be grateful.

I promise to reciprocate this unconditional love and will work with you every day to make it grow and become stronger, for the rest of our lives.  I promise to be patient, quick to forgive, and to fight for our marriage when life presents us with challenges.  I promise to be true to you, to never stray, and will keep my full trust in you.  I promise to laugh with you (and at your stupid jokes), to dance with you through life, and to stand right beside you during the many adventures that we take on.  I promise to seize each and every day with you and will continue to make myself the best person that I can be.

I know that each day will not always be easy and sometimes life will bring us unexpected storms.  I know that I will get annoyed from time to time because you didn't pick up after yourself or that you will get annoyed because I'm being kind-of moody.  But, I also know that there is nothing that we can't get through together.  I love you, my Joe, and from this day forward, I am yours and only yours, for the rest of my life.