Reflections on Our Wedding Day

One year ago today I woke up after a restless night of attempted sleep and went to the temple to get married. The morning leading up to the temple went by in a blur. I was so tired and the event was so surreal, I felt like I was moving about in a daze. But though I was tired, I was calm.

When Jon and I got to the temple, we had some time to just sit quietly together. Still, I was feeling pretty dazed. But then, we walked into the sealing room to get married, and that all changed.

I have never before or since been in a room filled with such tangible love. One look around the room and my heart immediately swelled up with more love--for and from those around me, both physically and spiritually present--than I have ever felt in my life. There with us in the room were so many people who were important in both Jon and my life. Friends, college roommates, Sunday school teachers, young women's leaders, mission presidents, and--most important of all--our family sat in every seat and filled every corner. It was packed not only with bodies, but with memories of time spent with each of these loved ones, and with gratitude and love for God for placing each one of them in our lives.

Then, Jon and I both knelt at the altar in the room so that we faced each other and the love I felt in my heart grew even more. Jon and I were getting married! And as Jon knelt there across from me and I contemplated on the goodness of his character and the love in his heart, tears started to quietly fall down my face. I loved the people in the room. I loved the man kneeling across from me. And I loved Heavenly Father for bringing us all together in such a special and holy moment.

That love resided with me throughout the rest of the day, and it resides with me still. I'm grateful for power of marriage and families. It enables me to do more than I would on my own because I'm constantly buoyed up with love and support that I know won't run away when things get hard. It fills my heart with joy and peace because I know that someone's always there thinking about me and helping me and having my best interest at heart. It gives me more motivation and purpose in life because things aren't just about me--they're about us. 

I'm grateful for the strength God has given Jon and I to learn and grow throughout this first year of marriage, ultimately bringing us closer to Him and each other. I'm equally grateful for a spouse who supports and laughs with and lifts and cherishes and ennobles and teases and teaches and works with and loves me every single day.

Happy one year, Jon! I look forward to an eternity more with you.

Visiting with Aunt Belinda

Last Saturday Jon and I had the privilege of visiting our Aunt Belinda up in Salt Lake. The visit consisted of a trip to Arby's and Smith's grocery store.

A note about Aunt Belinda: She's not technically anyone's aunt. For a brief period during Jon's growing-up years, she attended the same congregation for church that Jon's family did. I think Jon was still in diapers. Regardless of how short the association was though, she has managed to keep in contact with the family ever since! And when Jon came out to Utah for college, he started visiting her in person. When I started dating Jon, I got adopted into the phone calls and visits and she has become my Aunt Belinda too ever since!

Aunt Belinda is the one who calls us multiple times before any car trip we take to make sure that we have everything we need and are ready to go. Always, she makes sure that we have a roll of quarters for the trip so that if we get stranded we can use a pay phone. (I can't recall the last time I saw a payphone, and when I did, I'm sure I doubted whether it was working.)

Aunt Belinda is the one who calls us from time to time just to see how we're doing. Always, we're "in big trouble" and "she doesn't know what she's going to do with us!" (Honestly, I don't know what we're going to do with ourselves sometimes too!)

Aunt Belinda is the one who gives us relationship advice when she calls. Always, she's telling Jon that I'm going to want to decorate the bathroom in pink and that he's going to have to let me because I'm the wife, but that she'll stand by him when he wants to decorate his man cave with furs and dark colors. (Pretty sure I'll never decorate the bathroom in pink and that Jon doesn't want a man cave.)

Aunt Belinda is the one who gets word of something potentially dangerous to anyone's health and makes sure that we know about it. Always, she tells us to also pass the word along to our families and friends and cousins and neighbors. (Don't think I've exactly followed that last part there. Sorry, Aunt Belinda!)

Yup--Aunt Belinda is an elder, single lady who is so much herself that we love it! The best part about Aunt Belinda is that she really does sincerely care. Lots of us say that we care, but she really means it. I think it's her crowning quality.

So last Saturday when she tickled us as we took pictures in Arby's and tried to get me to follow her along in the store and lose Jon while she cruised around in her speedy wheelchair cart and showed us the entire layout of the Smith's grocery store in Salt Lake and made Jon buy chocolate for me while I was in the bathroom, we soaked in every moment of it and loved it! People like Aunt Belinda give life vibrancy and makes me feel like I have more to live for. I hope that we can stay in touch with Aunt Belinda when we move away (we will if she has anything to say about it!) and that we can find more people like her up in Tacoma!