As I sit here in the passengers seat stuck in traffic, coming back up from Georgia, I reflect on this past year of marriage. First and foremost- marriage is not easy, it is work everyday, EVERY MINUTE. A piece of advice that someone gave me (and I try to implement it’s a challenge) – – “Fight Yourself” We have these natural urges to be right and do things our own way, but when God calls us together in the union of marriage we are to become servants. I don’t literally mean you become a slave but you have a mindset to put the other person first. When you both put the other person first, beautiful things can happen. I find that going into marriage I had a selfish, anxious heart. It was about me and everything was “mine”. It’s still is a struggle to say “our” but it’s all about baby steps. Dre (my hubby) has shown me a different side of “selflessness” that I have never seen. He will strive above and beyond to make sure I am happy and content. He would do anything for me and that touches my heart. Being a newlywed has changed me. I have become more confident and I think that has been happening since day one of meeting this amazing man. He has shown me a love that I haven’t ever experienced. Every day my husband tells me I am beautiful… everyday- I kid you not! I can be waking up with some funky breath, mascara down my face and he STILL says I’m beautiful. That says a lot. Not only does he tell me that I’m beautiful, but he reminds me frequently how much God loves me. Something has happened- my confidence has grown. I truly believe you can tell how a man treats a woman by the way she carries herself. There was a lack of confidence (that I wasn’t aware of) going into this relationship. This past year it has grown a lot. Every day I am learning to love myself. Now I can even say “Thank You” when he tells me I’m beautiful! I think the increase in confidence in myself and deeper trust in God has my anxiety is disappearing. A mellow side of me has emerged. There are still spurts of extreme anxiety but I won’t let anxiety define me anymore. I’m NOT anxious. Occasionally my worrying gets out of control but I know, no matter what happens, its going to be okay. I have to remind myself to BE IN THE PRESENT. Whatever happens, I know where I am going in the end, so what do I want for the next year? First off – a family is in the forecast- but not quite yet. I’m truly enjoying this precious time with my husband. I want to learn what it means to serve the Lord as a team and figure out God’s purpose for us. I hope to trust more; trust my husband’s leadership and doubt less. I just want to be a better person and I know, without a doubt, that God brought this amazing man into my life to help me be just that. Not only was today a significant day in my life but it reminded me how much I love the industry I am in. It is an HONOR to capture someone’s special day. You know what is even more cool? Talking to them a year later and hearing how the beautiful union of marriage has changed them forever and helped them to become who God intended for them to be.
Thank you James Lee of 88 Love Stories for the beautiful photos! We will treasure them forever!!!
