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.