Honeymooners

One month down and a lifetime to go.

The wedding is over, our vacation has come and gone and I currently sit in the house I now call a home with my husband. Its a perfect Indian summer here in Portland and the warmer than usual temperatures has made the ease into winter a little more bearable. Josh and I have settled into a new routine that includes both work and play (still working on hitting the gym hard). Our little apartment wedged in Sullivan's Gulch is perfect. More perfect than we could have ever imagined, in fact.

This month has flown by faster then ever. It has been a beautiful time of thought, rest and reflection on the one of the biggest steps both Josh and I will ever take. The past 7 months we were preparing ourselves for a lifetime together, yet not even really knowing the weight of that statement. Our life together, the relationships we have made and continue to make, the experiences we endure together mark what our life will actually be made of. A time of molding, modeling and shaping.

I remember one moment right before our ceremony. To this day I can honestly say that I have never been more overwhelmed by the love of others. People we love and who consequently love us back just the same. It all came to a breaking point about an hour before the ceremony began. A breaking point that lead to tears. A love I have never felt but hope will once again experience in my lifetime.

Our wedding was much like every other wedding. We had beautiful bridemaids and handsome groomsmen. Our family was there surrounding us with that constant familial love. Relatives came from far (Australia) and wide (middle America and eastward). We had delicious food and the most important libation Portland has to offer (beer). Wildflowers were everywhere I looked and the the delicateness of babies breath lined the aisle. A sight I knew would not be as beautiful as it was. The bustle of friends and family helping with last minute details. I prayed before the wedding, as I quickly discovered RSVPS held no meaning these days, that the people that were meant to be there were. I believe that my prayer was answered. Every corner of that ballroom held a face that I was excited to see. Although, excitement doesn't really hold weight to that. It was more of that overwhelming love feeling. The faint sound of a beautiful violin players melodies rang in my ear as I walked down the aisle with a father who I wasn't sure was quite ready to let me go. A head was my future. My husband. That Australian I met 1 year, 7 months and 5 days prior to the leap. I remember every word our pastor spoke and I hung to every word tightly. I remember nearly whispering our vows as I was only speaking them to Josh. He was the only one that needed to hear, after all. Our first act as husband and wife was communion. My gluten free bagel lay there with a glass of wine. The view outward and into the world outside was magnificent. Just as God intended it to be, I suppose. The sun was setting and dusk was near. As Josh prayed for us and what lies ahead, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed (again) with that fact that God had us exactly where we were, exactly when we needed to be there. Subsequently He knew from that moment on what paths our life together will take.

The rest of the night was hugging one person after another whom means so much to me. Yes, it was a whirlwind, something I prayed would slow to a snails pace, but alas the night went by fast. Too fast. Yet, I remember the things I need to and will forget the minor details that don't matter...like how I only got one glass of wine. Not a big deal.

October 8th 2011 was truly one of the best nights of our lives. A night that still brings a tear to my eye. A tear that merely represents the love I have for God, Josh, my family and all of my friends. I simply cannot put into words this feeling, nor do I believe will it do the feeling justice.

And so it begins.