This has been a crazy emotional rollercoaster of a month for me. It was full of happy endings, new beginnings, goodbyes that came far too soon, and a lot of laughter and tears.
Not to start on a sad note, but I must. A few days before my graduation from Iowa State, I got the shocking news that my sweet Uncle Joe had passed away very unexpectedly. Joe was the kind of uncle everyone deserves to have. He never had kids, so his nieces and nephews were treated as if we were his children. He was a loving husband, a son who called his mother everyday, a brother who wanted to go first because he couldn't bury his brothers, a PROUD Marine, and yes...a big hearted uncle. Losing uncle Joe was beyond heartbreaking and not a minute has gone by I haven't missed him and wished he was here to celebrate and tell me how proud he is...but I still know that he is truly proud. Two days before his death, my uncle Joe finished the cedar chest he was building Benny and I as our wedding gift. He wasn't supposed to be working on it, but he finished it anyway. He was to give it to us that Sunday, but he never got to. I wanted more than anything in the world for him to stand there proudly as he revealed the beautiful chest he had put his heart into. Benny and I will cherish it forever. This was a "goodbye that came faaaaar too soon". RIP Uncle Joe.
I graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in Child, Adult, and Family Services on May 8th. It was a bittersweet day. My time at Iowa State was definitely too short but words can hardly describe what my two years there meant to me. I met people whom I will NEVER forget, became a part of a dance club that turned out to be an amazing experience, and made memories that will last a lifetime. There are so many people who made my time at Iowa State so special and I am going to do a separate blog recognizing them or this would take all day for someone to read! My college days may be over, but there is no doubt that I will be back. Thank goodness our wonderful ISU friends gave us season tickets as a wedding gift. We will be in our Cyclone gear at every home game and it will be great to visit with friends.
Next came my bachelorette party. My MOH was in charge & went all out planning this special night. It was SO fun to act like a kid again for one night and let go of all the stress of wedding planning. We got to race down water slides, drink out of inappropriate straws, prance around in "bachelorette attire" and "team bride" pins, and laugh until we could not laugh anymore. They made me feel like a princess and I had the time of my life.
After the bachelorette party came a week of non-stop wedding planning, stressing, planning, stressing, and stressing some more. Thanks to Robyn...and Anna for finishing some ribbons...the programs got finished the day before the wedding (procrastination on my part?). They were lovely. Everything about our wedding somehow went perfectly. I have no idea how because I was the most unorganized bride ever. I didn't have to stress a minute that day because everyone pulled it together. A huge shout out to my BA personal attendant who took her position to heart. That girl ran around like crazy and was never more than a foot from me ready to hold my train, fluff it, pull out the sewing kit ... anything you asked, she did it! Thank you SO much Kelsey! :) Our wedding day really was the BEST day of both of our lives. We will never forget just how much fun we had with our friends by our sides and our families who traveled so far just to see us promise to love each other forever. Being married to Benny is something I have dreamed about for a very long time, and that dream has finally come true. I feel truly blessed to have such amazing friends, wonderful family, and now a perfect husband (shhh..don't tell him.)
The day after our wedding we ate brunch with friends and opened gifts with our families. We then headed to Colorado...only making it to Lincoln before we were too tired to continue. It was a wonderful week in the mountains with no cell phone reception or internet access. We enjoyed each other's company, relaxing, hiking in the mountains, campfires, smores, breakfast by the water, and sight seeing. It was so nice to just be able to spend time together after such a busy month. We could've stared at the gorgeous mountains all day. It was hard to come home, but we were ready to see everyone and finally see some wedding pictures. I was so happy to come home to so many sweet comments from friends and awesome pictures.
Tonight we celebrated my favorite little person's 1st Birthday. Lily has been such a blessing in our lives. We have loved her since the minute she came into this world (I loved her before that, too...hehe). We have watched her grow and become quite the little spirited girl. We are proud of every milestone she reaches and we cherish our time with her. She has definitely become part of the family.
Tomorrow we embark on the next adventure. We will be moving to our new condo. We've never had our own place together, so this is very exciting for us. I have a few mixed feelings as I type away tonight. I'm leaving behind my family, friends, and everything I've known over my entire life. Yet, I'm starting the next adventure in my life and only God knows where it will lead. I know with my best friend by my side, I will accomplish anything I put my mind too but it's still hard to say goodbye. I will miss the small town life, but I will be back to visit! Anyone who would like to jump in the moving truck, feel free! ;)
I promise this will be the longest blog I ever write. After this, they will probably be real short. It's been an exciting, emotional, and chaotic month. I have so many memories that will carry me through all the rough times I may face in the future. Thanks to everyone who was part of any of these events. Whether happy, sad, or both, this month will be imprinted in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
~Every New Beginning Comes from Some Other Beginning's End~
Your apartment looks nice...can't wait to come visit!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, your condo looks so cool! I love it!
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