Happy 1st Anniversary!

In addition to my previous post on my anniversary weekend, I wanted to do another quick reflection on my first year of marriage.

No, marriage is not easy. Especially being married and still in school. Marriage is not perfect either - especially mine. But is it worth it? Absolutely and unequivocally yes! Let me tell you why:

Although a marriage does not make you "fulfilled" or "complete" you (total myths propogated by society), it definitely brings you an abundance of joy and a chance to grow in ways you never have before. I believe with all of my heart that God created the institution of marriage so that we could catch a glimpse of what it is like to be loved by Him. Christ loves me much more fully and unconditionally than Chris ever could, but having Chris as a husband gives me a new and deeper appreciation for what Christ has done for me. And even though I do not like certain things that come with marriage - extra laundry, planning and cooking meals, etc. - doing them brings me a joy that makes my heart happy.

Over the past year, having someone who knows me as intimately as Chris does has given me the opportunity to grow and be stretched. He can point out things in me that need change or encouragement that no one else could. He can lovingly show me when my thoughts or motivations are not glorifying to God, and I can do the same for him. It's not always easy, but I thank God for such a strong Christian husband who loves God first and me second. Times are not always easy, there will be fights and disagreements, there will be trials and hardships, but I am confident that God will give me the strength to be the wife that He wants me to be. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

We saved the top of our wedding cake and ate it on Sunday. Chris was extremely skeptical and was convinced that it made his stomach upset (although I ate it too and was just fine), but it really wasn't that bad. Not fresh, of course, but not too bad. :)





Year 1 was amazing, and I am so excited to see what God will do with all of the rest of them!!

Anniversary Backpacking

This past Sunday was the one-year anniversary of an amazing marriage with my amazing man. It was also the beginning of Fall Break, which meant freedom to do something cool. My Dad had been trying to work out a time for Chris and I to go backpacking with him, so we thought "Why not?" We drove to Asheville Friday evening, and left early Saturday morning to begin our trip.

The fall colors were absolutely gorgeous, and the weather could not have been better! We went to mountain tops, saw waterfalls, walked through pine forests, and slept under the moon and stars.









Now, you have to understand, my Dad is a huge outdoorsman, who at 60 years old could totally whoop up on both Chris and I. When you go backpacking with him, you are not simply going for stroll. You are hiking - and fairly fast at that. Unfortunately, Chris and I are not quite as in-shape as we used to be, so the strenuous hiking with heavy packs took quite a toll. But we gritted our teeth and pressed on - much of my motivation being that I was burning tons and tons and tons of calories. :)



For our graduation, my Dad is flying Chris and I out to Wyoming in June to spend over a week hiking to the top of Gannet Peak - the highest point in Wyoming. It is 22 miles to the base camp, and then 1.5 miles to the very top, which will be done with ice axes and crampons (those spikes you attach to your boots). Extreme, yes. Chris and I needing to get in shape, definitely.

My Dad took this past weekend's trip to show us what the first 2 days of backpacking in June will be like. Day 1: 10 miles. Day 2: 6 miles. Lots of mountains and lots of hiking. Needless to say, Chris and I spent all of Monday laying at home and doing absolutely nothing. :) We hope to be doing some more backpacking this fall/winter/spring in preparation for our trip. If anyone wants to join in the fun, let me know! Oh, and don't worry - we're not exactly planning on doing 16 miles every trip.