In Honor of One Year...

It's been an amazing year with my Jake!

As mentioned previously, I planned to blog our proposal story--and I thought what better day than our first anniversary!  I also mentioned blogging about our wedding day but I thought rather than write a bunch of stuff I'll follow our proposal story with a story told in pictures (and a few captions) of our wedding day.

So just a little background of the month or so leading up to the proposal.  Things were great.  We talked about marriage a lot, we had shopped around for rings (but hadn't yet bought any), and everything about our relationship felt right.  However, with the semester ending in mid April and with Jake's graduation date slowly approaching we were both really starting to feel the pressure about where our relationship should go, as Jake would be moving back to Ohio by late August.

Long story short, the weekend before finals week we decided that some time apart would give us the space and time we needed to be sure we were making a decision based on how we really felt and not based on lack of time.  It was difficult, but marriage is a HUGE decision and I wouldn't have wanted us to move forward unless our feelings were 100 percent sincere and genuine.  The timing of this little break-up couldn't have been more inconvenient though.  It made finals even more dreadful as I had the hardest time focusing! Hahaha but luckily (for me..and my grades), our break-up was short lived.  After a few days we had already decided that we never wanted to be apart again.  ;)

Anyway, we had planned to make a trip out to Vegas that summer but Jake suggested last minute that we head down there that same weekend, right after finals and of course I was totally game.

So a couple of days later, we were on our way!  I was excited that school and finals were over, but I was even more excited for the original purpose of our vacation--to meet the last two of Jake's siblings whom I had not yet met, Ken and Nicole. We didn't do too much the Friday night we got there because it was late but Jake had fun plans for us first thing Saturday morning before family activities.  He had always told me how much he loved Red Rock Canyon so we put on our hiking shoes and made our way out there!

It was SO BEAUTIFUL and warm at Red Rock.  The canyon is cool because even though there are marked paths, you also have the freedom to create your own.  Jake suggested we do the latter, so we did.  We roamed around for a while until we approached a particularly rocky hillside that seemed somewhat easy to climb.  As we climbed higher I started to freak out because I'm afraid of heights, but despite my fears, we eyed a rocky ledge not too far away and decided to make it our end goal.

When we finally made it up to the ledge, it was totally worth it because the view of the canyon was amazing... I wish I had taken a picture!  We sat down for a few minutes to catch our breath during which time I had asked for Jake's phone so that I could look at the pictures we'd already taken.  Little did I know, this gave him the perfect opportunity to reach into his bag and grab a ring... THE RING.  I, of course, didn't notice so when he had me stand up a couple of minutes later I thought he might be ready to head back down.

Instead, Jake took me and faced me once again toward the view of the canyon.  He stood behind me and whispered the sweetest of things into my ear.  After a couple of minutes he told me that he loved me so much and that was why he had to do this:  he turned me around, opened the ring box, and knelt down on one knee!!!!

I was COMPLETELY surprised.  Mostly because it was only a few days since we had officially decided to go through with the whole marriage thing and I didn't think there was any way for him to get the ring that fast.  He proceeded to tell me that literally within a couple of days he managed to ask my Dad's permission, order the PERFECT ring, and actually receive the ring the day we left for Vegas.  It all just happened to work out! :)

....and the rest is history!

A few of our bridals taken at American Fork Canyon, Utah

Our Wedding Day:  August 24, 2013

My beautiful brunette bridesmaids! Unfortunately my two blondies couldn't make it (Leish & Whit) :(

Jake and his boys

We were very lucky to have our reception in my parents' beautiful backyard!

Here are some pictures of the food & decor from the reception

All of the littles in our wedding party (minus Jackson and Chan) :)

Jake serenading me with a cover of the song "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes.

After Jake sang to me, we enjoyed a musical performance by my cute cousins Suzi, Cami, and Gabriella

Father/Daughter dance

Our First Dance!

Going for the garter hahaha

Of course there was dancing!

And we were off!!

xo -Michelle

Catching Up

Well, I finally decided to hop on the blogging bandwagon!  After thinking about it for quite some time, I decided that given my circumstances (being 2,352 miles!!! away from home) it would be a good way to keep my family and friends in the loop with what's going on with me (and Jake).  And I figure blogging can count as journaling, right?!

So, for those who don't know much about the past 2 years of my life, here's a little rewind to catch up:

Fall 2012

My fresh start.  I had just started my sophomore year at BYU (After deferring a couple of semesters between my freshman & sophomore years).  It may come as a surprise to some, but I pretty much HATED my freshman year at BYU... and looking back I at least partially know why.  I did the freshman experience ALL WRONG and it primarily had to do with the fact that I lived off campus--in Glenwood....otherwise known as Glen-hood (HELL).  I was hardly able to make friends with people my age and let's just say I didn't have the best attitude about the BYU life because of it.

Anyway, I got myself out of Glenhood, took some time off, made some personal life changes, and went into the Fall 2012 semester a new me.  I had a renewed appreciation for school after taking time off, so I worked hard and excelled as a result.  In addition to being a full time student, I was working as a bridal consultant (weird, I know) where I was SERIOUSLY blessed to meet some of the coolest girls and create some amazing friendships. 

When I wasn't at school or work I was all about going out, being with friends, intramural sports etc.  HOWEVER, I didn't want to date.  I WAS DOIN' ME, you know?? hahaha. Then Jake snuck into the picture.

There are a million things I love about my Jake and there were several indicators that let me know he was my perfect match but I'll spare everyone the mush.  Basically we owe our relationship existence to Chris Rostrom.  It's the typical "met through a mutual friend" story.  But in all seriousness and without going into too much detail, the timing of this relationship was crucial.  I just have to say that there was definitely some divine intervention going on there.

2013

Soo blah blah Jake and I dated for almost 8 months before he proposed.  Here are a few pics we took while dating.

Jake proposed in late April down near Vegas at Red Rock Canyon.  It was a COMPLETE surprise and 100 percent perfect.  I'll probably blog our proposal story at a later time :)

During our 4 months of engagement, I worked while Jacob finished his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science at BYU and applied for medical schools.  There are 7 medical schools in Ohio, which is where Jake is from and held residency so we began making plans to move out there. Our reasoning for moving right away was primarily because we knew Jacob would have most of his interviews in or near Ohio and it made the most sense for us financially to just be out there rather than fly back and forth from Utah.

This plan put my education on hold once again, but we knew that in the end I was going to have to finish school in Ohio anyway because I still had 2 years left and we only had a 1 year break before Jake started school.

Anyway, the summer flew by and Jacob graduated the week before our wedding with top honors.  He was even asked to sit on the stand at graduation to represent the Exercise Science department! (#proudwifemoment)

We married in the Columbia River Temple on August 24th, 2013 (almost one year ago).  It was a beautiful/emotional day and we were beyond happy to share such a special time with our family and friends.  Side Note:  One of my favorite parts of the whole day was at the reception when Jake sang to me a cover of the song "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes--Hence, the title of my blog.  I felt like it was applicable because since our marriage, I've been taken on such an adventure.  We've gone through and will continue to go through change over the next few years.  It's as though each day is a new first day of my life. :)

Anyway, I'll probably also blog about our wedding day at a later time but here are a few pics.

Sooo yeah, I know getting married at 21 is crazy.  No, it's not for everyone.  Yes, I'm confident that I made the right decision. I've never been happier.

After honeymooning in the Pacific Northwest, we packed our car and made our way to the midwest.  Jake interviewed for med schools, we worked a ton, and we enjoyed the abundance of time we had together (knowing we wouldn't have so much time when he started school).  Jake received some med school acceptances but ultimately chose Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.  From the time we came down for his interview, we almost knew this is where we were supposed to be.  I too was admitted to Ohio University to finish my undergraduate degree.  We were both very excited!

2014

I would be lying if I said that moving so far from everyone I cared about was easy but my AMAZING new family has definitely made it easier.  I'm so thankful for their loving, welcoming arms!  Not only am I comfortable around them but I am able to have so much fun with them and for that I'm very thankful! :)

After both of us working hard for several months, we were able to save up for the trip of a lifetime.  So for one last hoorah before school started, we spent a week in the Western Mediterranean and were fortunate enough to do so with our good friends Merilee and Garrett.  (blog post coming soon)

We moved to southern Ohio shortly after.  Jacob started school in early July and I start next week!  Overall, we've really been enjoying Athens.  The ward is tiny but VERY nice. We are in love with our new little apartment.  It's quaint and perfect and tucked in the woods.  Things couldn't be better!

Til Next Time...
xoxo Michelle