March 8, 2014

THE BIG DAY

The best/happiest day of my whole life.

I don't have any edited photos yet, so I threw together a little movie with some of the pictures from that day. Looking through these makes me so happy. It truly was the greatest day of my life and I am so blessed to be married to such an amazing person. I can't wait to see what our forever has in store. 

I don't know why its such bad quality. Sorry

June 5

I will always remember June 5th. Last year, it was the most stressful, happy, frustrating, sickening, exciting, all around craziest day. It was the day Sam came home from his mission!! I remember texting my friends pictures of different outfit combinations to find the best one. I had to try to catch his eye, you know?? Had to make him think he had been missing out on a lot while he was gone ;) I also remember driving out to the airport with Alex Dunlop and having to roll down the window to get some fresh air because I was for reals hyperventilating haha. Pretty sure I screamed a few times as well. Bless Alex's poor heart. What a good friend. I remember waiting for his and Brody's plane to land. My heart was about to fall right out of my chest. Like.. I'm pretty sure people around me could hear it.
And it's a dang good thing I had Jenna there or else I would have ran out the doors and probably all the way home. She helped keep me sane (or at least somewhat under control) and also took pictures because I couldn't handle it. (Yeah, I'm basically describing the thoughts/actions of an insane person-I KNOW)

Then it happened. Those two boys walked off the plane and the moment I laid eyes on Sam, I knew I was in trouble. I instantly started to cry and the first thing I said was, "I am so in love." We both kept making eye contact wherever he was at in the airport and it made my heart sing. It calmed me down for just a second and made me feel like it was all going to work. (Too bad my nerves/confusion came back 100x worse the second I left the airport haha) I wish I could explain to you all of the emotions that I felt that day (and many days that Summer). I really knew in that instance that he was my guy. I think had felt it during his mission, too. I just wasn't sure at the time if it was wishful thinking or what.

At this point I was about to hyperventilate. "oh my goodness, it's my turn! do I hug him? do I shake his hand?!"

"WHAT?! he went for the hug. wow, yeah I'm in love"

We had some confusing times over the summer trying to figure out what our future would be. To make matters worse, Sam worked out of town every week! It was happy, confusing, and sometimes heartbreaking. There would be times when I would feel really upset thinking that it just wasn't going to work out with the man of my dreams. The one I had been in love with for over 3 years...but then I would have this feeling of calm rush over me and I knew it was going to work out. Sam and I both had to learn to be patient with each other that Summer, and I think our marriage will be blessed because of it.

Even though it was a sacrifice (not to mention a hard time for me) for him to leave and return, I am so thankful that Sam served a mission. He blessed the lives of so many people out there. He put his whole heart and soul into his mission. His obedience and dedication meant so much to me back at home. It motivated me to be the best I could be. It melts my heart that the members over there still text him or call him and I can tell they love him so much, as he loves them. He also blessed my life in the best way. I think it gave us both a chance to stop obsessing over our relationship with each other and to really focus on our relationship with our Savior. It gave us time to mature and develop as individuals. I'm so thankful that Sam was able to have the influence of his amazing mission president and his wife, President and Sister Zinke. He talks about them with such love and respect, as if they are a second set of parents. They have impacted his life in such a way that I will always be thankful for. They taught him what it means to be a "True Disciple" and I try to follow that motto now, as well. Sam has mentioned a few times that I remind him of Sister Zinke, and I know that's one of the greatest compliments he can give me because of how much he loves her. We can't wait to see them in a couple weeks for their homecoming!

oh my goodness. this picture turned me into a puddle. there was totally someone else in it but i cropped it like this and had it as the wallpaper on my phone for months. look at that smile!!! he was the best and happiest missionary.

We both anxiously look forward to the day we can go to the beautiful country of Japan together. A country that has molded my husband into one of the greatest people I know.

Pictures of people in love

Since the "big day" has long since come and gone, I guess it's ok for me to share our engagement and bridal pictures that I loved oh so much. My aunt Denise and uncle CJ gave us the best present EVER by doing such an amazing job. They're pretty cool. And by pretty cool, I mean the best. My insanely beautiful, wonderful, and amazingly talented friend Katie Cox is the bomb at making me look pretty. She did my make up for our bridals and if it was acceptable for me to go weeks without washing my face, I would probably still have it on. Girl's got skills.

Now lets be real. Do I know how to pick a handsome husband or what?? But sorry, he's taken. You can go wipe the drool from your chins now, ladies. 

SHOWERS

Sam and I were so spoiled by our loved ones while we were preparing to get married. I am so overwhelmed by the love and support we received by so many wonderful people.

February 9, 2014: My first bridal shower was thrown by all of Sam's family up north! Specifically his Aunt Maryann and DeNise and Lauren. Everything they did was so stinking cute and the food was tastyyyy. It was so much fun getting to spend some time with Sam's aunts and cousins from both sides. They're all so cute and sweet and they totally treated me like one of their own! It was a perfect first bridal shower!

Apparently it's some kind of "bridal shower tradition" to tie every bow from the gifts on the bride and have the groom give her a kiss to remove each one. DeNise was LOVING it and had way too much fun dressing me up in all of the ribbon and bows. I didn't mind having Sam smooch them off of me, even though I think he was embarrassed ;)

After the shower, Sam and I ditched our families and went to Ikea for Sam's first time! We scored a bunch of great stuff for our new home and we just had a lot of fun shopping around. We bought a coffee table but were a little optimistic about having it fit in my car haha it was hilarious trying to squeeze that bad boy in there. Also, I had The Smith's in my head all day after this trip because all I could think about was 500 Days of Summer. 

After a great time at Ikea, we made our way to Downtown Salt Lake to get ready for the Jazz vs. Heat game! I got Sam tickets to this game for Christmas so we were more than ready to cash those babies in! But before we went over to Energy Solutions, we made a quick and tasty stop at Settebello. Ohhh my gosh I love that place. And now Sam does, too!! 

When we got to game I was pretty bummed. I had spent some good money and our seats were NOT very good at all. I was bummed and feeling so lame but then Sam saved the day! A family friend of his that his mom works for now, Travis Jackman, has season tickets on the 18th row. He was there with a bunch of buddies but there were 4 empty seats next to them and he told us to come snag them! And boy are we glad that we did! We had so much fun down there, it was unreal!! We even made it on the kiss cam :) ooh la la! We were bad fans and went into the game convinced that the Jazz was going to get killed but they ended up winning!! It was such a fun game and the energy at the end was incredible. It was so great to get to spend some good one on one time with my man candy. 

As we were walking sprinting back to car after the game, it was pouring rain! It was so crazy! We also got way turned around and ended up coming out of the wrong exit so we had a much longer way to run to the car. It was so crazy and fun though!

February 18, 2014: My next shower was thrown by some awesome ladies in my ward, Mimi McKenna and Shari Jenkins. I love and look up to those women so much and it meant a lot to me that they put such a great night together. Seriously, I was in a sea of gifts. The entire room (and I'm not even exaggerating) was filled with gifts. I was completely blown away by the love and generosity of my family and friends. The most special gift I was given was the most adorable quilt that Mimi made for me. She is so talented and it was so neat that she was willing to put in all of that time for me. There was so much stuff that my dad and I decided to take it straight to the apartment that night instead of trying to find a place for it at their house haha. 

(I can't find any pictures right now but I will put some up laterz)

February 22, 2014: My friends Paige and Tori put on my last shower with some help from Kate as well. And that one was just as good as the rest! So many of my friends couldn't make it but that didn't stop us from having a good time! We had yummy food, opened some exciting gifts :) and then played a game. We have done this for a few of our other friend's showers and it's always a hit! Kate and Tori filmed Sam one afternoon and asked him a bunch of questions. Then at my shower, I had to answer them and any question I missed, I had to put a piece of bubblegum in my mouth. It was so fun and I definitely had my mouth full by the end haha. 

We have so many wonderful people in our lives, don't you think?! We were blessed beyond measure and it was definitely much more than we could have ever dreamed of!