Ashley's Glass: September 2013

I am 4 days late on this post, but I have really good reasons :) The Hubby & I took a trip to Chicago for our 1st Anniversary. We got back Tuesday & it was back to the work grind. Have I mentioned how much I hate the work grind... it sucks the good life right out of my body! Chicago was gorgeous, I will post details and pictures soon.

As I reflect on the last year, it's still so hard to believe its been a whole 365 + days since our wedding. I remember when we got engaged and I thought the next 9 months were going to take forever. Man was I wrong, they flew by so fast! I remember the weeks leading up to the wedding thinking of how the day was going to play out and how the next year was going to be. Our wedding was more amazing than I could have ever imagined. It was by far the best and fasted day of my life!!!

Our 1st year as been way better than I had imagined yet more complicated than I imagined as well. I think when you are in the process of planning a wedding all the focus is on love & happiness and that everything is "perfect". I loathe the word when it's used to describe life. Sorry to burst your bubble, but no one's life is perfect. Every one's life has ups & downs and goods & bads. And to me that's the best thing about life. Being appreciative of all the great things that happen & learning from all of the bad things that happen.

We have done a lot of things in our first year. We sold Rob's house, bought a new one (all within 2 weeks of the wedding!). umm... can you say stressful?!? Blake was a Senior in High School ... great but dramatic (as always right?!?) and then he graduated. He no longer stays at our house, which has been hard for me. The 3 years I have known him, he has grown up so much. I miss him being at the house and sitting on the couch with me, chatting about school & all other teenage things. But through that hard time of him graduating, him and Rob have become so close. When I see them together it makes my heart sometimes. Blake has really matured and I am so glad I have been there for the process. Don't get me wrong, he still has his moments, but all 18 years do!!! We have had the growing pains of being with each other every single day. Which if you know me, it's been more of an adjustment for me than it has been for Rob. I was so used to spending a good portion of my time alone that it was hard for me to adjust to always having someone around you. I have been trying really hard to make sure I find time for myself and it's not always easy, but you have to make the effort.

At the end of the day, I have never felt more blessed than I do today. I get to spend every day with a man that loves me for me, unconditionally. He supports me, he encourages me and most importantly he takes me out of my comfort zone and forces me to adapt. Which isn't easy for me, but it's helped me tremendously. My anxiety doesn't happen near as much as it used to. I never imagined I would feel love like I do at this point in my life. I am amazed at what a great thing it is, even when life is hard.

I look forward to what our future holds & the obstacles we will conquer together to make us an even better couple.

sorry for the rambling.... too many thoughts on how much I love this man !!!

xoxo
A

I am a little behind on posting about the engagement party Rob and I threw for our great friends, Ben & Lindsay. We had the party on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. All the guests were lucky to have Monday off and recover from all the wine & yummy food!

The party was a lot of planning, but I am so happy the way it turned out. Everyone had a great time!! It was nice to have both of their families and all of their friends together to celebrate their engagement and upcoming wedding. August 2014 will be here before we know it!