Blessed.

So, it's 4:35am and I'm wide awake at home. Normally, if I'm awake at this time in the morning, it's because I'm at work and I'm getting paid to stay awake. Not this time.. my relentlessly terrible sleeping patterns have done it again. And here I am, wide awake in the wee hours of the morning. You'd think the rain outside would help me fall asleep. Or reading Harry Potter. Or counting sheep. But no.. none of them worked. So, I've laid in my bed thinking about countless things, including my to-do list for tomorrow (laundry, cooking food to bring to work, calling the Alabama Board of Nursing.. you know, all those boring things). But, mainly, I'm thinking about Chuck.

Now, before I get ahead of myself, let me give you a warning. This post may be slightly cheesy. But sometimes a good, heart-warming, lovable post is good for the soul. So I'm providing you one.

After 7 long years of dating, you kinda turn into an old married couple before the marriage has even begun. In fact, just this past weekend someone told me and Chuck that we sounded like exactly just that... an old married couple. And while that may sound drab and depressing (not that old, married couples are depressing, but you know what the saying is meant to intend..) I think it's quite the opposite. Married couples are comfortable. They understand each other using far less words than a new couple would. They argue... and they forgive. They love each other despite the arguments. There's no need to dress up to impress, though a good dress up date is still appreciated. They appreciate time together and love each other not only because of who they are, but because of everything they have shared. There is an understanding, a gratitude, a bond.

See, sometimes I think being an "old, married couple" is a compliment.

I remember being 15 years old and meeting Chuck at church. He had a head full of thick hair, complete with the high school swoosh. He had dark, almost black eyes. And he was quiet. And, not knowing then that our relationship would turn into what it has, I was infatuated. Now, I'll skip some of the juicy details (including those where I stalked him for a year... yes, I was creepy... But I got what I wanted :) ). To sum it all up, after a year of a one-way relationship, Chuck decided to give me a chance. And isn't he glad that he did ;)

We have gone from this (and then was even taken two and a half years after we began dating)...

... to this.

With a little bit of this in between...

There are some days that he drives me crazy. Sometimes, I feel like he doesn't understand me at all. And I feel like I hardly understand him. But then I think about what my life would be like without him and it makes it all worth it.

Chuck and I are completely different. Like, oil and water different. They say opposites attract, right? But sometimes I feel like it can lead to difficulty. Chuck and I do not have the perfect relationship, and we will be the first people to tell you that. We argue and disagree and have different opinions. But, if I've learned anything over the past 7 years, it's that arguing and disagreeing are normal. Fairytale relationships are rarely true. Couples who don't fight often don't fight because they don't care enough to put in the effort to fight. It took me a long, long, LONG time to realize this. And, honestly, I'm still learning it to this day. Movies, songs, books, and every other kind of media like to portray that perfect relationships exist and arguing always leads to divorce. And, because I'm a sucker for romantic movies and romanticism in general, I believed them for a long time. Chuck and I have a great relationship.. one that includes the good days and the bad days all wrapped up in one.

Some days I think that we have a bad relationship because we fight. Or he doesn't call me 24/7 so I think he doesn't care. This is where the differing personalities come into play. I'm a romantic, while Chuck is a realist. And we butt heads. I'm over sensitive, and he isn't sensitive enough. But it's a relationship between two people who love each other. Relationships aren't concrete. They are a work in progress. Every day.

The past seven years with Chuck have been a whirlwind.. literally. There are days that I think, "Wait, we were 16 when that happened. That was 6 years ago!" Can you imagine what it will be like when we are 30 and having children? Or when we are 50 and have teenagers? Or when we are grandparents at age 70 and tell stories like, "When your grandfather and I started dating, oh, 55 years ago..." It's exciting. And WEIRD. But mainly exciting.

So, the wedding is less than eight months away, and I now wonder why in the world I booked the wedding for July. I mean, eloping in January would be way closer. Living in two different cities is hard. Props to all relationships who do it long term and make it work. Maybe it's because Chuck is anti-cell phone, but having a relationship that relies on communication via cell phone is really hard, especially after being spoiled for so long and living in the same city. But, I wouldn't give it up for the world.

Chuck is my comfort. And my security. When I think about "home" and what it means to feel safe, Chuck connects the dots. He is a sweet gentleman who treats me like I am meant to be treated. And I am BLESSED to be his future wife.

Hobby.

So, I bought a nice camera with my graduation money back in May with the intention of using it to get experience with photo shoots to eventually do it as a side hobby/job. Obviously, I have no experience at this point. Therefore, I want to use people as practice until I get reasonably good. I want to take some classes, too, but I don't know when that will happen.

So, this is where all of you come into play. Who wants a photo shoot of themselves? ;) Or any engaged couples out there want a free shoot? Maybe you already have a photographer, but want additional photos. I'd LOVE to practice on you for no charge. And I promise that regardless of my lack of photo shoot experience, your pictures won't be terrible. I have a lot of experience behind the camera and feel as though I have somewhat of an eye for photography. And if in the end you aren't satisfied, then you didn't even lose any money ;)

If you've ever seen my Facebook, you know I take tons of pictures. TONS. And if you haven't, well then you're going to have to just trust me.

So, tell ALL your friends. And contact me! Because I'd LOVE to shoot some photos of you :)

Engagement Pictures!

Our engagement pictures are up!!

Last Friday, Chuck and I wandered around with Brandon from Gresham Photography and shot our engagement pictures. We spent the afternoon walking around Old Town Helena and Oak Mountain State Park. I am IN LOVE with the pictures. I couldn't be blessed with a more handsome soon-to-be husband (who didn't gripe even once about taking pictures for three hours, btw).. :) He's awesome. Our photographer is awesome. And the pictures are awesome!

Couldn't be happier.

Anyway, check them out :) I hope you like them as much as I do!

Here's a little preview for you..

Now click here to see the rest!

99 Balloons

I found this video a while ago and came across it again recently. It will make you cry, so be prepared.

I just thought I would share :)

slacker.

So, I've been quite the slacker lately. And I don't just mean in regards to blogging. In far too many areas of my life I have been embarrassingly slack-ish. My room is a mess, my calendar isn't up to date, I haven't contacted several wedding vendors that I need to, and my to-do list is out the door. Lately, I sleep, go to work, sleep, go to work, and sleep on my off days. It's pathetic, actually, but I haven't quite adjusted to the night shift schedule yet. I'm working on it, but it's a process (apparently). And this life-style is my pet peeve. I can't stand having a messy room and things that need to get done. I need to spend one (majorly long) day organizing my life. I'm sure my frustration level will decrease quite a few points and I'll feel accomplished all in one day. I'll make sure to put that on my to-do list as well.

Regardless of the mountains of things I NEED to be doing, I've been doing some fun things lately :) Me, Chuck, Amy, Greg, Emily, and her friend Katie all went to the pumpkin patch last Saturday and acted like kids. We watched a Civil War reenactment and got quite a variety of pumpkins. It was a successful fall day to say the least.

I've gone wedding dress shopping once so far and am going again tomorrow. You see, there's quite a funny story that goes along with the whole wedding dress thing. I went to a store here in town, tried on a few dresses, and found one that I like. Then, later that day, I sent a picture of the dress to Christina to show her... and promptly received a text from her saying that she was sorry but that the dress I liked was her wedding dress. Haha straight out of a movie, right? I mean, it's not the end of the world. I've only been to one store and wasn't head-over-heels in love with that dress. I loved it the most out of those options I tried on, but there are lots of other stores. But, I have no doubt that dress will look beautiful on Christina :)

I've been very into finding Do It Yourself things for the wedding lately. I have tons of ideas written down of things I want to do when the time gets closer. I plan on making my own invitations, programs, and doing lots of other personal touches for the wedding. There are so many good websites out there too that give great ideas.

Two of my favorites so far are: The Wedding Chicks and Wedding Window

So anyway. Have a fantastic week :)