Reflection of the last 12 months

A year ago today Michael and I spent a lovely day just hanging out and enjoying the company of one another.  We went out to supper with coupons and then headed over to Jason and Claire's for a game night.  Instead of a game night I was met with a romantic room and a dreamy proposal.  I cannot believe it was a year ago! 

Michael is an amazing young man and I love him so much.  He surprised me and came down last weekend for a visit.  It was wonderful to see him and to just spend some time hanging out both with my family and just as the two of us.  Charley also had prom this weekend so here is a picture of the two of us with her :) 

I found it appropriate today to do some reflection on the last year of our relationship.  High points, low points, growth, etc.  And here is what I have to share:

• This has been a year of A LOT of time apart.  I do not kid when I say A LOT.  We were together for the months of (most of) May, September, October, November, and most of December.  Yes, 5 months with a smattering of weekend visits and two wonderful longer periods: our family vacation and spring break.  It has really taught us to treasure the time we have together and to make the most of it.  For example, this weekend we literally did not do much other than enjoy spending time with one another and those present.  No wedding planning was done and we left the house twice (a date and church).  The rest of our time was spent relaxing, playing games, etc.  It has been quite difficult to have so much time apart, but it has been very good for growth as well.  I am so thankful both for the summer at camp and my semester at home and truly would not want to do it any other way despite the difficulty of being away from him.  We have 47 more days of engagement, 39 or so that will be apart--hallelujah we are reaching the end!  :)  
• This has also been a time filled with planning.  It began with wedding planning...setting a date, choosing people to work with, colors, budget, honeymoon, etc...etc...etc... Needless to say, after a year I am pretty much over it :)  Which is good because there isn't much left to do.  We really only have logistics, confirmations, making a few more things, and a few minor details left and that feels awesome!  In the last several months our thoughts have switched more to future planning--living space, jobs, budget, cars, etc.  This is what we are more excited about right now especially as things fall into place.  Finally, I like to know when things are going to happen so at the beginning of each of our long separations I sat down with a calendar and tried to figure out which weekends would work for us to see each other and what would be best to do during those times.  It has been both good and exhausting :)  Praise the Lord that neither of us are so set in stone on these things that we have worried too much about any of this.  What a waste of energy that would be!  
• It has been a year with several big events!  Two of our dear friends got married in May, Michael bought a car over the summer, we spent our final semester at college together, I graduated and got a part-time job at home, Michael's nephew (August) was born in February, Michael has been working on his last semester of college, Michael got a full-time job at the place he has had his internship at which will begin June 1, and we signed a lease on a townhouse!  Big and exciting stuff! 
• There has been a lot of growth for us individually, but also as a couple.  I can honestly say that I love him more today than I did a year ago.  I think our way of handling conflict has changed a little bit.  Do we still have dramatic arguments?  Umm of course...but I think we tend to not get hung up on our arguments for as long.  We talk about it for a while, get it all out there, and then choose to forgive and move on.  Such a blessing to have a godly man who chooses to forgive me because he too has been forgiven a greater debt by Christ!  How beautiful :)  
• It has been a year filled with advice and marriage counseling.  What a joy it is to receive support from other couples!  We have also thoroughly enjoyed our marriage counseling and I am sad that it is coming to an end.  It has been good to take an honest look at our strengths and weaknesses as a couple, topics of marriage/life, etc.  It has opened our eyes to many things, and has made us all the more excited to join hands with one another under covenant between ourselves and God on June 16.  By his grace we (choose to) love one another and walk this life together seeking to bring glory to him as a unit.  So thankful for this time of marriage preparation!  Praise the Lord!

Those are just a few of the big things I came up with in my reflection.  It has been a big and full year and as ready as I am to be done with this period of engagement and physical 'apartness', I know that God has given us this time to strengthen us and teach us both individually and as a couple and I am content to rest in his perfect timing.  I love that my God is over all, in all and through all.  Hallelujah!