we.

There are soooo many of my friends getting engaged these days. I mean, every single day it seems that there are pictures and statuses smothered in kissing and rings. So this post is for all those friends. Things I have learned about marriage (ya know, in my whole two months) It's about to get real.

Mar·riage /ˈmarij/

Noun
Legally hitching your wagon to another person's for the rest of your life eternity.

Um yeah, you can say "super scary," right? I thought I would have to give up a lot, which in some ways, I have. I live in Texas (not in sunny, amazing, gorgeous California) away from my parents and sisters, most of my hobbies include a lot more grown up responsibilities (like making sure the laundry doesn't pile up and James's homework gets done) and sharing everything.

Now to everyone else, those things may seem like a LOT. But honestly, I can't think of a better way to advance in life than alongside your best friend. Taking care of each other. Sharing everything.

While I was engaged, I was talking to my other best friend in the world, who was also engaged. And thank goodness because pretty much our whole lives have lined up and been perfectly in sync. So she's always the first person to call. I don't know about everyone else, but for me, I was a grouch planning a wedding. I put way too much pressure on myself and everything to be perfect (that's another point) and it made me not like myself and fight with a much more patient James so much. So after crying to her and telling her my whole saga of a sob story, she was telling me how she and her fiance (now husband!) Grant got through it. She said that she stopped thinking of everything as her's and it became their's. The goals, the problems, everything. It wasn't just about her anymore and walking away, breaking up, leaving--those weren't an option anymore.

Every since this smart lady shared that with me, it woke me up! It's not just about me. I can't just break up with my fiance because I'm having a rough patch. And I've remembered it every single day since. I get to part of a we!! I love not having to say goodnight to James! And I love seeing him first thing in the morning and snuggling up to him at night! Everything is worth it, promise. I finally just told myself as long as I'm sealed to James at the end of the day, everything will be perfect.

Also, do NOT stress about little details. My super wise older sister told me in the very beginning to take care of the big things first and make sure you get exactly what you want with those. Then work out the details. My mom and I ripped our hair out on all the small things, and guess what. My husband got sick on our wedding day and couldn't enjoy any of it. Luckily, because I come from and have inherited the greatest family EVER, people still stayed and had an amazing time. So just enjoy the whole day. If planning is getting to be too much and turning you into the worst version of yourself, take a break from it for a day and just soak up some private time with your almost-spouse. It is the best cure in the world.

Most of all, enjoy every single little part too, all of the engagement and wedding day and all the "firsts" after because it only happens once and it's over! Then it's just you & that person every single day, living one life together as a package deal. But don't worry. I can tell you things just keep getting better & better. So be excited.

Congratulations everyone!! I am so excited to have jumped on this bandwagon and I know you will be too!!

temple.

Today, James and I went to the Dallas for the first time ever! Neither of us had been there before so it was pretty cool.

It was FREEZING cold and so windy!! Jeez louise!
We tried many a time to get a decent picture!!
Oh well. Haha My running nose aside, he's handsome. That's all that counts.

Goodbye ring! :(

Such a pretty temple.

Also cool is the fact that I was "Sister Anderson" everywhere I went! "Hello, Sister Anderson." "Right this way, Sister Anderson." "Do you need help, Sister Anderson?" And I sure did!

It was a little strange going all by myself. The only other time I had been that far in the temple was for my endowments, then for the wedding. Both of which had family members as close as the secret service. So that was weird.

And, this is so lame to say outloud, but I was already missing James! In the like 45 minutes I was away from him, I was already excited to see him again! Haha But it was awesome to get to spend that special time with him and have that experience together. I am already looking forward to the next time!

After the temple, we went to the mall to drop off my ring to get soldered. It was so sad to say goodbye to it. My finger has been so so lonely. And it was also weird to see it in the case at Ben Bridges! Oh great. Now it'll be all over everyone's finger!...Well at least mine has a little ding in it. I think it adds character. Plus it's already been through a wedding. BAM.....Anyway, it won't be ready for two weeks so let's see if I can squuueeeeze my chubby baby fingers into my first beauty one more time!

simple.

SPOILER ALERT: This is going to be one cheesy, lovey-dovey post.

There are so many little things I am already loving about being married to James. I'm gonna share them, but don't you dare tell James. I don't want to be responsible for his man card.

Feet snuggling, even when we are sleeping.

Getting kissed every morning before he leaves for work.

Watching a show together before we go to sleep.

Working things out together, like finances and plans for the day.

Running errands was NEVER as fun as it is with James.

Planning and buying for our apartment together.

Making each other laugh until it hurts.

Talking about our future kids like they already exist

Holding hands in the middle of the night

When he cooks me breakfast Sunday mornings so I can get ready

Grocery shopping

Accomplishing the massive amounts of James's homework together

Wrestling...we fight dirty.

Having someone who knows how to fix something instead of buying a new one.

[Ice cream] Date nights.

Being "Brother & Sister Anderson" at church (and when people ask me about "my husband")

Sunday naps outside together

When he brushes my hair and lets me pluck his eyebrows (that's a real man)

When we are both so tired that everything is funny

Spoiling each other rotten

Get married. It's fun.