Welcome back! I realize I skipped days six and seven, it was a busy weekend with my family. And to me, the time spent with them is more important than my time spent behind a computer screen. But, I'm back and ready to get this week rolling.

I have had plenty of happy moments in my life, the birth of my children being two of them. But, out of all of the moments, getting married to the man of my dreams is my happiest! I grew up as an insecure little girl never feeling good enough for anyone. I had a lot of boyfriends, constantly settling for less than what I deserved. Guy after guy and I just couldn't seem to get it right, they all seemed to be the same kind of jerk. Then I met Matt, a charmer right off the bat. I kept thinking to myself, this is too good to be true, so after two months I broke up with him. What a stupid thing to do, I couldn't help letting my insecurities get in the way of my happiness like I always did. But, Matt didn't stop trying. Even months after, he continued to call, text, and convince me that we needed to be together. I finally came to my senses, and a few months later he got down on one knee. I guess you can say we didn't waste any time, and why should we have? We knew what we wanted and we weren't going to wait to get it. 

March 24th, 2012 I got to put on the gown of my dreams, I felt like a princess! But, let me tell you, all the stress of planning, dress picking, decorations, and flowers faded into the background when I saw the look on my grooms face as I walked down the isle. When I say I'm the luckiest girl in the world, I mean exactly that! He looked at me like I was the only person in this world. Not one ounce of regret showed on his face, just happiness and joy. Almost 3 years of marriage, and he still looks at me that way.

Some may say we were crazy to get married so young and so fast. Before finishing our college degrees and being in careers. But, when did having those things become a requirement to fulfill your dreams of love and happiness? As far as I'm concerned, I had all I needed when I looked into my husbands eyes. To me, love is enough. It's more than how much money we have in the bank, how big of a house we have, or how great of a career we have. And to be honest, I'm so glad that we get to work our way to those things together instead of alone.

To me, I stopped wasting my time looking for the right one. Instead, I decided to let God bring him to me, and he didn't waste any time either. I'm the happiest I've ever been being a wife. He completes me in every way. Does that mean we don't have our differences, or bad days? Absolutely not. But, everyday we choose each other. Everyday he still shows me how much he's in love with me. Everyday he still dies to himself for me, and loves me the way Christ loves the church. Everyday he makes me laugh, even when I don't want to. Everyday he tells me how beautiful I am, even when I don't feel like it. If you asked me if I felt like I rushed into marriage, I would give you the same answer today as I will 50 years from now sitting next to the same man. No! For once, I made decisions for myself. And that decision was to make myself happy. HE makes me happy, day in and day out. He gives me everything I've ever wanted just by looking into my eyes. He see's the best in me, when I see the worst. Marriage isn't about how many years you have spent together, or what age you are. It's about if it's right or wrong and true love. When I walked down the isle 3 years ago, every ounce of my body was screaming right, and I'm more in love with my husband with each passing day. I thank God everyday for choosing Matt to be my soulmate, and I know to this day God knew exactly what he was doing introducing me to him four years ago. 

Some people spend a lifetime looking for the right person. I'm so blessed to say I only had to wait 19 years. When I was younger I would imagine my future moments where all my dreams would come true and who would be that one person that got to experience it all with me. Matt is the example of that person I imagined. He is the person standing next to me at all my great moments in life.

One of my favorite quotes is this: "Every once in a while people step up. They rise above themselves.  Sometimes they surprise you. And sometimes they fall short. Life is funny sometimes, it can push pretty hard. But, if you look close enough, you find hope in the words of children, in the bars of a song, and in the eyes of someone you love. And if you're lucky, I mean, if you're the luckiest person on this entire planet, the person you love decides to love you back."- One Tree Hill

Thank you for loving me back, Matt Hankes, and making ME the luckiest girl on this entire planet. For making marrying you the happiest moment in my life! 

(Wedding Photos)