Live every day as if it's your first

2011 has brought a lot of changes into my life. Unlike many others, I have loved this year and am sad to see it go. But at the same time, I am excited for the new adventures that lie ahead.



When this year started, I was dating this amazing guy. He was everything I wanted and yet I was scared to take that leap, to fully commit to something, someone, when it was still so new and mysterious. It was fun to be with someone who made me so happy and encouraged me to enjoy life.
In March, I went with his family to Washington DC. I knew I loved him, he was the other half of my rainbow. As we stood outside the Ford's Theater waiting to go inside, his family asked me the question " What are your intentions with my son?" All I could say was that I loved him and we would see what the future had. As we took a picture outside the theater, I couldnt imagine that in 5 months time, I would be a Ford.

In May, Ryan proposed and I happily accepted. He romantically took me to Rubios (It was taco tuesday afterall) and then to the place we had our first date. He told me how much he loved me and how he wanted to spend the rest of eternity with me. It was one of the moments I will never forget.

From June to August, I didnt see much of my fiance. He was at school in Utah while I was in California busily planning our wedding and working. It was hard being away from him but it helped both of us to concentrate. I got to spend time with my family and had so much fun planning with my mom. Those are memories I wil never forget. She is my absolute hero. Without her, my wedding would never have come together.



August 20th. The big day. The day I married the man of my dreams. It is hard to believe that a day could go so perfectly. Sure, I got to the temple and realized I didnt have the marriage license and that the invitation had the wrong address for the reception and that i was so stressed out that my feet were swollen so my dream shoes no longer fit. All these things were means for devastation... and yet somehow, everything worked out. Every piece of the puzzle fit and at the end of the night, I ran through a sea of sparklers, holding hands with my best friend, knowing that I would spend the rest of eternity by his side.

We went on a cruise to the Bahamas and had a blast. Irene tried to ruin it for us, but like most honeymooners, nothing could bring us down. We had a blast spending the week together, in the nice bahama weather.

We have since been living in Utah and from September to December, it has been a whirlwind of event.
•I turned 21, ryan 24.
•We got a new nephew! Ryker Glodowski
•I got to see my best friend get married
•We spent thanksgiving with the Fords, running a 5k and eating delicious turkey
•I did my first practicum in a first grade classroom
•We spent christmas with the Saffords playing minute to win it and going on our traditional 16 mile+ bikerides. With our families, it has been such a blessing because by getting married, we both gained another set of amazing parents. I am so grateful for my parents and for the relationship I have with them.
•We spent our first christmas together!

As a little girl, I always dreamed of what my wedding would be like. How everything would be, who I would marry. But now that I am married, I realized that as important as the wedding was, it isnt that one day that matters. It is all the days before and after. All the little things that build the relationship and the marriage. I was watching Friends and a quote really stuck out to me " Wedding days are important but, more importantly I just want an amazing and life-fulfilling marriage" and so far, thats what 2011 has brought me. A happy and life-fulfilling marriage. The type of happiness that makes me grateful to wake up in the morning. The type of happiness that makes me willing to change my last name and begin a life with someone else.

2011 has been a changing year for me.

2012 has a lot to live up to