Like a perfect scene from a movie screne, we're a dream come true.
mood: Loved.
Yesterday Brandon and I celebrated our one year anniversary. What an amazing thing! We have been married for an entire year, and we have had so many new and exciting (and sometimes scary and frutrating!) adventures together. I can't believe the ways we've grown up and grown together since the night we said our vows, but I am so thankful for all the incredible experiences we have shared together.
"Suited perfectly for eternity ... me and you."
Last year we exchanged our vows, and I promised to love him forever. I promised to give him my heart in its entirety, to cherish him, to honor him, and to always be true to him. I promised to stand by him come what may, and to support him and encourage him in all his endeavors. Last year I promised all those things ... and I still mean them. In fact, I find that I mean them more than I did that night; and that those promises mean more to me than I ever could have imagined.
We have seen so many new places together in the last year (Utah, Costa Rica, Yellowstone, etc) and done so many new things (zip lining, drive-through-the-night road trips, ATV riding, snow shoeing). We have moved into our first apartment and then our first home. We have both started new jobs. I graduated from Westminster. Brandon started taking classes at the University of Phoenix. We have been to a funeral of a beloved family member. We have seen friends get married and start new lives together. We have laughed more than I have ever laughed with one person before. We have cried and we have fought. While it has only been a year, it has been a year of growth and change -- a year of incredible gain. We have learned to trust each other more, to rely on each other more, and to become grown ups together. We have found things that we like to do together and things we like to do separately, and have found that we can enjoy them just the same. We have traveled together and spent nights at home together, just enjoying the company that only the other person can give.
The last year has been an incredible journey, and I am eternally grateful for the presence of such a wonderful man in my life. He supports me, he loves me, and he is the most compassionate and caring man I have ever met. I still have a hard time believing that God saw it fit for us to be together, and not a day goes by that I don't thank Him for the countless blessings brought into my life because of Brandon.
And, as a celebration of the love we have shared for the last 12 months of our marriage (and the last 5 1/2 years of our lives), I thought I would share a few of the reasons why I am so head over heels in love with my best friend and husband, Brandon. Those of you who hate my sappiness, you can probably stop reading now. 
This one's for you, Lovey.
1. I love that you never fail to make me laugh, even if I'm sick or unhappy. Your strange noises and voices always brighten my day, and there is nothing better than coming home every night knowing that I will be able to share some laughs with the most important person in the world.
2. I love that you love to work on cars, computers, etc. It is such a sense of security to know that if something breaks in the house, you will be able to fix it (or at least figure out what the problem is). You make me feel safe and secure every day.
3. I love that you are always willing to help me with the cooking and housework. You don't expect me to do it just because I am your wife.
4. I love that you encourage me and support me in all of my endeavors. I am a dreamer and an idealist, and you have never once told me that my dreams were inconceivable or stupid. Instead, you have pushed me to acheive them and then to dream bigger than before.
5. I love that you love to travel and to explore new places. It is beyond exciting to have someone to go on trips with, even if it's just up the street.
6. I love that you have such a big heart and a drive to help other people. The fact that you have such a passion for Search and Rescue says so much about you. I love knowing that I am married to a man who will sacrifice to help other people.
7. I love that you are always trying to protect me. I know that you will put your life on the line for me if necessary. (And I hope you know that I will do the same for you!) As I said before, I know that I am safe with you.
8. I love that you love my family. I love that you are such a good son to my parents and an amazing brother to my sisters. Sarah knows she can count on you, and that is so important to me. Moreover, my parents know they can trust you to take care of me and to love me; that means even more.
9. I love that you like to try new foods. It makes me more adventurous and encourages me to try new things too.
10. I love that you don't mind having quiet nights in, but that you also love to go out and hang out with our friends. The variety is a wonderful thing, and I love making new memories with you.
11. I love talking to you. You are such an intelligent and thoughtful man, and I love hearing your thoughts. I love learning new things about you almost every day.
12. I love that you are so good with kids; I know you will be an amazing father. I also love that you have such a deep love for dogs, and can't wait to become "mom and dad" to a beautiful chocolate lab puppy someday.
Sam on 08.18.08 @ 10:38 PM MST [link]