Six months of matrimony

Six months ago today, Mark and I were married.

I can't believe we've been husband and wive for half a year already. :)

I always found it a bit silly when couples say things like, "happy 2 months anniversary!" or "happy 3 months!" like 2 or 3 months is a huge deal. Half a year, though, seems kind of significant. To me, anyway.

For our six month-iversary, I tried to pamper my husband with lots of goodies: for breakfast I made pancakes (with cinnamon, nuts, and chocolate chips), meatball marinara pizza for lunch, and for dinner I tried to do something a little nice; I made some grilled steaks, baked potatoes, green beans, and salad. My husband loves a good steak and potato meal and needless to say, he was smiling at the dinner table.

If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, I think I just beelined my way there. haha :)

For dessert, though, Mark is treating me: he's making banana nut bread for me, my favorite. Best part? He's doing all the dishes from dinner. Cha-ching! lol

But honestly... these past six months have been such a great new chapter in my life. I will be honest, things have not always been easy: two months into our marriage, my dad passed away. There's been serious emotional problems for me because of that, and as newlyweds, that isn't easy to handle. But Mark has been such a blessing every step of the way. He has been so patient, and understanding. Always offering me love unconditionally, with open arms.

He makes me laugh like no other, and  he understands my sometimes odd sense of humor. We can know what the other is thinking or feeling with a simple glance. He shares the same beliefs as me, and has the same love for God as I do. All my life I looked for someone who understood me, someone who is on the same page as I am. He is the best part of me... he makes me a better person.

Mark is the man I prayed for, for so many years. He is the brightest part of my life - I truly understand what it means when people use the term "my other half" to describe their spouse. He truly is my best friend, and I look forward to a long and happy marriage with him.

You don't need the fairy tale

When it comes to matters of the heart, some women tend to think they need the best, most grand experience to really feel the "magic". Especially when it comes to proposals, and weddings, if it isn't grandiose and ridiculously over-the-top, then it isn't special.

I'm looking at you, Bridezillas.

Me? I'm a simple kind of girl - I do not need the fancier things in order to be happy with my life. My husband and I certainly live a very humble and quiet life. Honestly, we really like it that way.

When it came to the proposal, it was extremely simple. One morning, while Mark was out reading on the deck, I heard him calling me to come join him. He stood up from his chair, took my hands, and proceeded to very emotionally tell me what I meant to him. The next thing I knew, he was on one knee and asked me to marry him. The deck is our favorite spot of the house - it's our quiet little space, with a beautiful view of the mountains and greenery. Him proposing to me there, in "our spot" was just perfect. To me, it was romantic and sweet. Mark told me he hemmed and hawed about proposal ideas, but in the end, he decided to play it simple. It was the happiest moment of my life.

Our wedding was very simple, as well. I did not have the fairy tale wedding. I know many women want the "big" wedding, the princess wedding gown, the flowers, the decorations, lovely music, enormous cake, etc. They want the Disney princess style wedding, the wedding they see in cheesy Hugh Grant romantic comedies, the wedding they've dreamed about and built up in their mind since they were six years old.

Maybe I'm different, because every since I was a child, I actually always wanted a tiny wedding. Thinking about planning a wedding stressed me out. Mark and I decided to do something extremely (yes, you guessed it) simple. Nothing fancy or expensive. To us, being married is what mattered. I just wanted to be his wife.

Our married life is often very quiet, laid back, and calm. I like it. I find joy in the small things of our daily lives together as a married couple. I am thankful for him every day.

Sure, maybe we don't have the fairy tale lifestyle, but he does make me feel like a princess. And he's my prince charming.