I have known you for just over 12 years. I started loving you not long after that. We have lived together for just shy of four years and have been married for just over one. Needless to say, that is a lot of time {and even more love} that has been spent between the two of us. We have possibly had one thousand disagreements, but more likely than not, one thousand plus one occasions where we have been right on the same page. We have been each others closest friend, most honest critic, biggest worry and truest love. We have been each others reason.

You are my reason. I know I am yours, and that's what makes this relationship work; it's what makes sharing a life with you so unbelievably easy. I can count on you when I need someone else to be strong. I  can rely on you to push me when I should be calling the shots. I trust you to be honest and real with me, and I promise to always be the same for you. I know that this type of love is rare, and I'll spend my life trying to not take it for granted.

I am thankful for this past year of marriage and memories, and I can't wait to see what is to come. As long as you are a part of my future, I know it's worth moving forward.

Happiest Anniversary, Toot!

& we celebrated well with cake and wine.

And even a few presents {I bought us the vinyl record of our wedding song}

Wyet spent the day making us authentic Jamaican meals.

For lunch we had juicy patties and rum punch.

Truthfully, the rum punches were sort-of an all day affair.

Cheers to us!

Jerk chicken for dinner

by candlelight!

Here is to one year of marriage & a lifetime of adventures ahead of us. I love you, Wyet!

Something About Summer

Despite the fact that there are the same number of hours in a day year-round, certain months seem to pass in double-time. There is something about summer that makes it feel like it is rushing by. It could be the fact that there are countless celebrations for my family in these few, sunny months {birthdays, anniversaries plus all of the regular holidays}. Between June and August, I feel like I hardly have a chance to catch my breath.

Regardless, there are far worse things than being so busy celebrating life's events and milestones with those I love the most. Here is a brief recap of those special, busy moments; moments that I hope to relive year after year.

Father's Day 
This year, we spent Father's Day at home honoring the best dog dad around, and then spent the evening with Rhet having a barbecue {unfortunately, my dad was stuck working in Washington}. Sometimes, the best celebrations are the casual ones spent lounging on the patio. Not every event needs to be overdone. It's all about having the right company.

#dogdad

Wyet and his dad

Three generations :]

Fourth of July
This fourth of July was extra special because it was the first holiday we spent in our new home. We had moved in just one week prior, and even though we were not completely settled, we still wanted to have everyone over to celebrate. We spent the afternoon finally planting all of our seedlings {only a few months too late} and the evening grilling burgers and playing yard games. As it turns out, our new home is in an ideal location for the local fireworks. We spent the after-dark hours in the driveway watching the show and lighting a few of our own.

Feeling exhausted and grateful to be in our home

Wyet and his mom

The twix! Jerrod being his usual, laid back self. Cameron, as always, trying to act cool ;]

I love being so close to my family and being able to spend time with them.

Sparklers!

Just a few of the most important people in my life.

Wyet's 28th Birthday

Just a few days after the 4th, it was time to celebrate again. Wyet spent the day with his aunt and uncle golfing at Top Golf, and when he got home, the party continued. We opened a few gifts, drank a few cocktails and had an easy night in with some Chinese takeout {which we conveniently walked down the road to pickup}. I love being able to share year after year with this amazing guy. He truly is a rare breed, and I am beyond blessed to share my life with him. 

Opening his gift! A fire-pit for the backyard.

Patye stopped in to bring Wyet a gift at just the right time.

Building A Foundation

All great things in life start with a sturdy foundation. Everything has to be built from the bottom up. You aren't supposed to start at the top; you need to work your way there. This definitely proved to be true when Wyet and I decided we wanted to become homeowners.

We had looked at homes on the market for well over a year before we came to the decision that there wasn't one out there that felt right. When we finally found the courage {thanks to a few people encouraging us to take the risk} to look in to building a home, we realized that it wasn't as far-fetched of a dream as we might have thought. Before we knew it, we had handed over the small bit of savings that we had, and we had signed a contract to build our first home.

For me, this was single-handedly the biggest decision Wyet and I had ever made. Unlike getting married, this was something that I had reservations about. It was a huge decision both mentally and financially, and even though I wanted a new home so badly, I had a lot of anxiety about this commitment. As time went on and we began making decisions, my fears slowly began turning in to excitement. This home was going to be ours; from the color of the paint to fixtures on the ceiling, these were our decisions.

One of the greatest things I learned from building this house with Wyet is the necessity of compromise. Two people are never going to agree on absolutely everything {that is not only impractical, but it would make for the most boring of marriages}. As with everything in life, you must be willing to stand your ground when you feel strongly about something {a yellow door for me} and be willing to let others have their way when they have a passionate opinion {everything kitchen related for Wyet}. When Wyet and I would agree completely on certain decisions, it made me feel thankful that I share my life with someone who I have a great deal in common with. When we disagreed on simple things like a paint swatch or carpet choice, it felt good to be able to compromise. A disagreement doesn't always need to be a bad thing.

As we built this home, we really grew as a couple. It was fun to be so excited about the future together, and it was healthy to make big decisions as a team. We built our marriage from a strong friendship, and now we will build the rest of our life starting here. Here is to the next steps in life {and a 30 year payment plan in the process!}.

Never have I been so excited to see a hole in the ground!

Ready or not, here we go!

My favorite picture during our home building. I remember this day and trying to envision where walls would go and how we were going to decorate. This was by far the most exciting adventure Wyet and I have taken together.

We frequented our home practically every day during the building process. We are lucky to have such a supportive family that took such an interest in our new adventure. Our parents were there overseeing the process every step of the way.

Feeling so happy to finally see real walls go up!

So close!

Wyet taking in his new kitchen!

Finally, it is a real functioning home!

From the little's yellow house to the little yellow door.

Exhausted yet thrilled - we are homeowners!