Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Full Circle: 3 Years Later

Three years ago today I wrote this post.

At the time, I thought that a long walk and tender hug was the perfect ending to my school year.  But I had no idea that it would lead to a surprise 4th of July visit, a first kiss during Singing in the Rain, and a few months of long-distance Skype dates.  I couldn't have guessed that I'd spend the next 2 1/2 years building the foundation of a beautiful relationship.  I would never have thought that 3 years, several breakups, and an eternity of growth later, I'd be 4 days away from marrying the man who tried not to raise my hopes that first night.  I had no idea that my "perfect ending" was just the beginning.

And I'm grateful I didn't know that then.  It would have scared me to death.  I wouldn't have understood how my paradigm could shift so dramatically.  I couldn't have grasped that it is possible to love someone so deeply that you actively work to shred every ounce of pride that holds you back from serving them more.

But now I do now.  I know what it is like to be blessed with tenacity in love.  I know how it feels to fight for the one you love.  I know what it feels like to be paralyzed with fear- because even though you know you love him more than you thought possible, it's still so much different that you thought it would be.

And I am so grateful.  This has been a LONG ride.  And one that I am ready to take into eternity.