Subtle Things & A Year in Review

Other than my previous post, it really has been a year since I've last written. A whole lot has changed!

I had last written on my first anniversary with Tim. Well, obviously we have celebrated another anniversary! But we've gone through many milestones in our relationship as well. Since my last post, we've gotten another cat, taken road trips up to Hood River and Seattle to see his family, moved into a new apartment complex, gone on a trip with my whole family and our best friend Meghan to Disneyland, Tim started school at Portland State in the fall, and we've since celebrated our 20th birthdays, respectively. And those are only the things that I think of off the top of my head!

Yes, we got a second kitten as a Valentine's Day gift last year. Her name is Lola, and she is a grey tabby cat. She is curious and gentle. She likes get herself into small spaces, and likes to fall asleep in our clean laundry. I absolutely love her!

During my Spring Break, Tim and I took a trip up to Hood River to see his family and his hometown. I got to see his father's headstone, and the house he lived in, and other memorable places and spaces. It really  made me feel more connected to him, to learn more about his history. It was a great trip!

We moved from our old place in June -- and we love our new home! I don't have any pictures I can post yet, but I can assure you that it is miles above our old place. All painted brown walls, a huge bathroom with a roman tub, built in bookshelves. The community is wonderful, and best of all, NO MOLD!

Perhaps the most exciting part of our year was our trip to Disneyland in July. We went for a week, stayed in a rental home with my family and had a blast! I loved seeing us all channel our inner children. We had so much fun, often to the point of sickness (Meghan, Tim and I all got sick on the trip -- I blame it on the heat.) I had SUCH a great time with my little brothers. I really love Disneyland. I love taking my time and experiencing the atmosphere. I love walking with Tim, hand in hand and watching the fireworks, and listening to the happiness that exudes from every square inch of that magical place. We really hope that we can go back soon.

Like I said earlier, Tim and I are students at Portland State University. He is interested Psychology, Anthropology and the human brain. I am currently a Child and Family Studies major, but I am thinking about changing it. I am really interested in sexualities and health studies/nutrition. I am also considering transferring to an online degree program. I strongly dislike commuting to class, and I want a little more flexibility in my schedule so that I can work more and save up for a wedding and everything that comes after. I just know that I really want to work with young children, but I don't really know more than that. I am going to take the summer to really analyze what I want to do before I make any big decisions. I do know, however, that I am going to make this decision based on what I think is best for myself. Not on what anyone else says.

That's all I have for now! I'll try and blog on a regular basis.

Subtle Things & A Long Overdue Return

It still baffles me how so much time can pass, without a conscious acknowledgement of it.  This last year has been the best, and worst year of my life, but I am going to focus my long overdue return to writing on a similar sentiment to my last post-- my fiance, and the love of my life.

That's right, after two memorable years, Tim and I are ENGAGED, and we could not be happier.

For those who know me well, you already know that I am a sucker for weddings. And even more than the idea of a wedding itself, I am a sucker for long-enduring, ever-lasting, hopeless, passionate and mad love.
I would like to assure you all, that I did not settle for less than what I wanted. He is everything, and has every quality that I hold steadfast. He is honest, sincere, hard working, loyal, hilarious and before I had any idea that I would ever date, let alone marry him, Tim was already there, waiting in the wings. He has been a close friend of mine since seventh grade. He loves my family, and they love him back. He become a brother to my siblings long before our engagement. He is so easy to talk to, easy to have fun with, easy to work with, easy to spend time with. We know everything about each other, in fact, we can't keep secrets from each other. On Valentine's Day, we went shopping together for gifts, we didn't even make it to Christmas when sharing our gifts with each other, and he couldn't wait to tell me that he had put an engagement ring on layaway.

Tim and I have been through a lot together: among the hectic times of adolescence and puberty, middle school and high school, we have gone through some incredibly beautiful and devastating life experiences. These experiences probably don't even compare to what will happen throughout our  marriage, but I am so thankful to have my absolute best friend be the person by my side during those times.

It is so comforting to know that I have someone in my life, who will stand by every decision or mistake that I make, and will love me regardless. The feeling of selfless, non-shallow love, is something that I never even dreamed would feel so wonderful. This last year has been one of growth, and development of my individuality, and he consistently supports my choices, despite how it may affect our future. I am so grateful for his faith. 

Here are a few engagement photos we took when we visited his family in Seattle a couple weeks ago.
(Photo Credit: http://kararuephotography.zenfolio.com/)

Nothing is concrete about the wedding yet, but we are planning for it to be in July of 2013! :) I will post new pictures, updates about the wedding and our lives in the upcoming months. I hope to post more writing soon!