I'm about 4 days late this with this post. But I figured better late than never, right?
My love, my sweetheart, my other half has been gone for 10 months! The fact that we're finally in double digits kinda makes my head hurt. I'm finally getting to that stage where I catch myself thinking, "I swear he just left..."
During this last month I moved back to Hawaii. Which is where Jared and I met, exactly 2 years ago this month. So I'm constantly feeling like we just barely met here a year ago. When really, it's been two. Which just goes to show that time really does fly by.
I've been really struggling with being here without him. The place we met. The place where my life completely changed. The place where I fell in love with the man of my dreams. I see him everywhere and in everything. We spent the first 6 months of our relationship here on the beach, at the temple, on campus, and just loving the fact that we finally found each other. We both knew something was missing in our lives. We just didn't know what. Until we met each other <3
Safe to say I fall more in love with him every single day.
I am so freaking excited. I'm writing this post a bit late, but I still figured I'd write it. On September 20th Jared hit his 6 month mark! Finally. It's about time. It definitely feels like it has taken forever to get to this point, but I'm just glad we're finally here :) I can testify that the first six are by far the hardest. So if you are in the first 6 months right now, just remember to look up, and know it will get easier :) I promise! So in my opinion, this is how the timeframe has broken down for me.
Months 1-3:
So slow. So hard. But I at least got letters during the first two. I really struggled with learning how to live without him during these months. But can ya blame me? It's a major adjustment to make.
Month 4:
A definite change from months 1-3. Went a lot faster and I finally starting learning how to be okay and happy without him here. My testimony also grew a ton during this month.
Month 5:
Fastest month yet! I couldn't believe how fast it went. This month I realized and learned how to turn being sad, and missing him, into something positive. If any of you would like me to write a post about how I did that, let me know. I also realized that this time is about him, not me. It's all about him. And when you put it in that perspective, you won't be as sad about not getting letters or emails. But ultimately, month 5 has been the fastest and easiest yet :)
Awesome stuff that's happened during these 6 months:
Jared has his first baptism in his first area! :)
Jared was made District Leader in his second area :)
He was able to meet Elder Ballard
He has been able to become (in my opinion) completely fluent in Italian. Sometimes now he struggles to speak English... :)
I was able to spend the summer teaching English in Italy and Austria
I received a calling as Sunday School teacher and I love it!
I finally bought a nice camera and have started developing my passion for photography :) (a good thing to do while your mish is gone is develop talents and passions that you've always had but never done)
My family moved to Provo :) (right across the street from the MTC)
I got accepted to return to BYU-Hawaii in January :)
I've met some amazing people who have made this wait such an easier process :) Ya'll know who you are ;)
There's a lot of other experiences I've had these 6 months that have just strengthened my testimony, and also my love for Jared. I wouldn't change a thing :)
Here's my 6 months celebration video :)
(don't judge the cheesiness of it. I'm a cheesy person, what can I say)
Girls, today was the big day. The day Jared got to call from the airport! :)
I'd by lying if I said I wasn't totally freaking out. I seriously could not sleep last night. I woke up at 5:14, 6:30, 7:02, 7:15, 7:45 and my alarm finally went off at 7:55. I guess you could say I was like a child on Christmas Eve. The stressful thing was that I had to spend my morning studying for a geology final. My final started at 11:00 and his plane was scheduled to leave at 11:15 so I was hoping he'd call me before my test. I was freaking out because by 10:30 he still hadn't called me. Apparently Heavenly Father is still trying to teach me patience. Basically.. Just watch this video and you'll see :)
We only got to talk for three minutes because there were so many missionaries who still needed to call their families. But it didn't matter, just hearing his voice tell me he loved me was all I needed to hear :) I'm just so excited that he'll finally be in Italy! I feel like these past six weeks he hasn't even really been on a mission. I feel like the mission really beings when they start teaching :) I can't wait to hear stories about the people, culture, investigators, his mission president, the wards, the members, and the FOOD! I know he's going to put his whole heart and soul into serving the people of Italy. He already has such a deep love for them and he's not even there yet <3
Like I mentioned, he left this morning at 11:15 and flew to Chicago where he arrived at 3:15 their time, and then he had a flight to London at 5:15. So as I type this, he's flying over the ocean and will land in London at 6:50am and then he'll have one more flight leaving at 8:35 for Rome where he'll arrive at 12:05pm :) He's going to be one tired missionary.
I just love him so much and can't wait to begin the next part of our best two years :)
Honestly though, it's been easier than it was two years ago when I sent my first missionary out. Like I previously mentioned, everything is different this time. The goodbye was 1273855947 billion times harder, but the first week has been easier. I'll admit, I cried my eyes out the first day. And the second.. I was just so unproductive. I couldn't do anything. Eat, homework, or even watch movies. I was dead to the world. And I don't think I ate anything for the first 2 1/2 days. My appetite was completely gone. But then I went to my Heavenly Father in sincere prayer. Since then, I've felt nothing but peace and happiness. You probably don't believe me. But I honestly haven't felt sad since those first two days. I miss him like crazy, yes. But sad? Not so much :)
Let me jump back for a second. Jared called me Wednesday morning to say a final "see you later" and that was it. I started driving the 3 1/2 hours back to school. When I finally got back I looked at my phone and saw this:
TEARS. Yes, lots of them. I love him so much :)
I couldn't wait so I sent him a letter on Thursday. I seriously forgot how much I love writing letters.
I was only down at school for Wednesday and Thursday and went back home for the weekend on Friday. I had the awesome opportunity of going to my first MG party of this wait on Saturday! :) I don't have any pictures, but it was so fun. I loved being around other girls who felt the exact same way as me. For any of you girls who have never been to a party with MG's, GO! They really help :)
On Sunday I was SO happy because Jared's mom sent me this!
The first picture of him! It totally made my day :)
It's always hard when they first go into the MTC because you don't know how well they're doing. This picture put some of my worries to ease. He looks so happy, and that makes me happy :)
Alright, so this is when the best part happens. Yesterday (Tuesday) I was walking past the mailroom and I thought to myself, "Don't go check for a letter. You know there won't be one. He's only been in the MTC for 6 days and hasn't even had his first pday. There's no way there'd be a letter" But I decided to check anyway. I opened my little box, and to my utter surprise, I saw this!
My reaction:
Wanna know the dumbest part though? The date on this letter says it was sent out the 21st. Aka the day after Jared entered the MTC. Aka 5 days ago. Which means it'd been sitting in my mailbox for a few days. JUST SITTING THERE! I never checked the mail earlier cuz I knew nothing would be there. Just goes to show how wrong I was. He wrote this letter on his first day in the MTC and it was amazing :) He's doing great and loving the MTC. Although he's still getting used to being followed to the bathroom :)
This first week has been crazy. But I'm glad and relieved to say the first/hardest week is over : )
Here's some of my advice: PRAY! Whenever you feel like things are so hard you can't handle it. Looks for ways to be happy :) For example, this Joshua Radin song came out yesterday and made me think, "Today is one of those days where nothing can go wrong" I am so blessed and am very excited to continue on this journey :) If Heavenly Father brings you to it, he'll bring you through it :)
Quote for the Day:"Don't let Satan put a question mark where God has already put a period."
I am happy to say that Jared is officially in the MTC as of 4 days ago :)
I don't even know where to start. Jared's farewell was a week ago today. I remember him telling me how nervous and scared he was to speak in front of so many people. He told me not to expect anything good. But of course, he totally surprised us all. His talk was absolutely amazing and I'm sure everyone in the congregation felt the spirit just as strong as I did. Afterwards, we all went to his house and he said goodbye to some friends. Oh also, the day of his farewell was also St. Patricks day :)
That day was wonderful and happy :) We hardly left each others sides. We both knew he was needing to get ready to enter the MTC, but at the same time, we continued to act completely normal around each other. I'd walk away for a minute to talk to someone and he'd come over and say, "Hey, you were too far away from me :)"
Then we had our last day together on Tuesday. It was amazing to say the least. I went over to his house and helped him pack some last minute items. We then played pool and made some yummy food. The weather was nice (thankfully) so we decided to go on a walk at a park we'd always go to during the winter. We'd go at night and buy hot chocolate and then go walk around the park. As we were walking he started talking about leaving and I told him he needed to stop because I could feel the tears coming. I didn't want to talk about him being gone. All I wanted to do was focus on my time left with him. After our walk, we drove to my house :) We decided to watch The Best Two Years outside with blankets on my trampoline as the sun was setting. It was perfect :)
After the movie we went inside and sat in my room. We knew we only had 45 minutes left together. Jared said, "Come here, let's just cuddle for a little while. I know it's your favorite" so we did :) We didn't really talk, we just sat there in each others arms. We eventually started talking about our future, me waiting, his mission, and old memories :) He wanted to see me smile so he kept bringing up old memories from us together in Hawaii.
Eventually the time came. It was 8:00 and he needed to go home to get set apart. I started crying, and I didn't even know what to say. We were hugging for a while and I said, "Any final words?" Jared waited for a second and said, "I love you. There's nothing else I can say" and then he started to tear up and by that point I was completely bawling. We stood by my front door for what seemed like a lifetime. We had one last kiss, well technically 3. We kiss in 3's :) And then I said, "Sweetheart, you need to go.." so we walked to the door and I double pinky promised him that I'd wait :) I hugged him one last time. It was hard to get the words out through my crying, but said "You're going to be an amazing missionary." He was so emotional which was making it harder for me. So then he walked outside but just stood there looking at me. So I ran out and hugged him one last time and then stood in the doorway as I watched him walk away, realizing I needed to capture this and remember it forever. We did the "I love you" sign before he started to drive away. I came inside with my hand over my mouth, trying to keep my crying and breathing under control.
This goodbye was SO much harder than it was with my first missionary. It's crazy. But I couldn't be more proud of my sweetheart. I know we'll both be blessed. I've come to realize that we were seriously created for each other and I love him more than I ever thought I could. Plus, I'm happy to finally consider myself a missionary girlfriend again :) Wish me luck for the next two years! <3
I can't believe that one week from tonight, I'll be saying "see you later" to my best friend. It's really starting to hit me. For a while I'd just been excited to start spring break and be with Jared again. But now that spring break has started and we've spent time together, I'm finally starting to realize how quickly time is going. You'd think that I'd already know this since I've said goodbye to a missionary before. A little over two years ago actually.. But the thing is, It's totally different this time. I don't know how to explain it. I just know, this time is different. He's different :) Different than anyone I've ever known.
It's 1:57am and I just got done watching The Bachelor finale. I know this is going to sound super cheesy, but just watching Sean pick Catherine and everything that happened, just makes me see how Jared seriously is the one for me. I used to watch shows like that and think, "Aw, they're so in love. I want a guy like that." I can honestly say, I have someone BETTER than that. I have a relationship BETTER than that. I was never able to say that before :) He's truly my best friend. He's my rock and anchor in this crazy life. He's the person I want to spend every day with. He loves me unconditionally and shows me in a million ways every day. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I could go on and on.
In the lyrics of our song it says, "When God made you, he must have been thinking about me." Those lyrics could not be any more true. He's the one. I just know it :) Now gone are all my questions about why, and I've never been so sure of anything in my life :)
(our song = When God Made You - Newsong ft. Natalie Grant)
(I realize that I wrote about his mission call on my other blog and forgot about this one. So I copied and pasted my post from that blog onto this one :)) Yes. I put it in all caps because that's how excited I am. I'm trying to contain myself right now. Just watch the video and you'll see why :)
His face is perfect :) He read it in his head before he read it out loud. I was like, "AH WHAT DOES IT SAY!!" But based on his face, I knew he wasn't going to Boise :)
I can't even describe how excited I am.
For a lot of selfish reasons actually. Italy would have been my dream mission. I've always wanted to marry someone who went to Italy on his mission. Italian is my favorite language. I want to visit Italy more than anywhere else. ALSO, I know the mail system in Europe isn't too bad so that's just a bonus ;)
He's so excited, and I'm extremely proud of him. I think it's funny because I'm the one in the relationship who loves old cultures, buildings, cities, anything in history really. He's the one who is all into modern anything. And now he's going to one of the oldest cities :) I love it!!
He was so happy :)
January 16th, 2013.
Want to know something so weird about that date? Get this, it's the day before my first missionary comes home. Weird right? I think Heavenly Father has a sense of humor sometimes. I don't think it's all that funny though.
Anyway, I was expecting him to leave in like November. But I'm so excited we get to spend the Holidays together :) We've only been dating for 8 months. So I'm glad we get more time together. But at the same time, I wish he would just leave sooner so he can come home sooner.
For anyone who doesn't know, I've had a missionary before. Almost two years ago this same thing was happening. It's crazy though how different it feels this time. I like it :)
Preston has been gone for 15 months as of today. I remember when I had 15 months left. It keeps making me realize how fast time really does go by.
Anyway, as you girls know, things have changed. I just kind of made this video to explain the fact that I don't have "two boyfriends" like some of you have said.
(I know that was technically yesterday.. but it doesn't matter)
Preston has officially been gone for one year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have now passed the halfway mark. And now he only has 11 months left because he comes home in January. Seriously, yesterday I was freaking out. I walked out of my house and went to school, basically looking/acting like this...
So instead of writing about how excited I was. I'll just show you the video that contains all my happiness :) Enjoy!
p.s. I really do love him more than the day he left. I didn't expect the first year to be so easy. I can't wait to experience this next year. There's no way I'm not waiting for him :)
You can't tell. But in this picture I was dying inside. This was taken on the curbside at the MTC a year ago from yesterday. I just really can't believe we've come this far :)
I know I have been completely MIA ever since August 25th. But here's the thing. I am 100% a picture blogger. If I can't add pictures into my post, it just makes me not want to post. Which is why you haven't heard anything from me. I'm still in China. And yes, I can blog, but the proxy that I use to get to blogger won't upload pictures.
But that is not the point to this post. This post is dedicated to the amazing missionary that is my boyfriend :) He has been gone 9 months, 1 week and 1 day. I was supposed to write about this on November 11th but I was on vacation. Want to know why November 11th is so special to me? It's the day my sweetheart got his mission call :) Which means... It has been over a year since he got his call. Now see, I don't know if I believe this. There's no way it's been a year since I saw him opening that envelope. There's no way it's been a year since I saw the look on his face when he saw the words, "Hungary, Budapest" and in honor of that, here is the link to the video of him opening it :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptGP69WRuPM
Now I really feel like we're getting close to the year mark :) and I know that once a lot of girls hit 7, 8, or 9 months, things usually start getting harder. Right? Well... Not for us :) I'm not even lying when I say we're only loving each other more and more with every day that passes. Which means, I know it's possible to not fall away from your boys. If any newer MG's are reading this, I want you to know that waiting really is possible, and easy sometimes :) Especially when you're as in love as I am :)
Now that I've done this post about milestones. I'd like to throw in my countdown of the near future :)
In 31 days - I leave China, and come home for the holidays :)
In 37 days - It's Christmas!!! You know what that means... Skyping with him!! :)
In 46 days - I hop on a plane and head to Hawaii to start school at BYUH
Am I really posting this already? Has he really been gone for 181 days? I'm proud to say that I have made it through the first 6 months of Preston's mission :) that calculates to 1/4 of his mission. Done. Gone forever :) Could I be any more happy? No :) (technically his 6 months mark was August 9th but I have been without internet for 2 days)
These 6 months have been some of the hardest months of my life - hands down. But they have also been some of the best. I have met some of the most amazing girls and created friendships that I know will last a very long time. I've grown so much and I'm learning more every day. I've learned to appreciate the little things that I never did before. Because really, the little things in life matter the most. But most importantly, I've never been more in love with Preston :) waiting isn't so hard anymore. It's still hard... But call me crazy - I actually enjoy it. We are both learning so much about ourselves during these two years. It's amazing to see both of us going through this together.
I wouldn't be posting this right now if it wasn't for all the wonderful MG's. I don't know if I'd be this happy during this waiting process without them. So girls, thank you :)
Also, I am happy to say that I haven't gone on any dates yet since Preston left. Some girls date, some girls don't. I always just said that I'd do what feels right. But so far, not dating has been right :) It's made my life so much easier.
I'd like to end with saying that Preston has been the most amazing missionary. He is working SO hard everyday but he still makes time to write me every single week. He still makes time to make me videos and take pictures. He is putting in the extra effort to serve the Lord but also love me at the same time. And I love him so much for it :)
I just can't wait for the next 6 months! I go to China in 15 days and I couldn't be more excited for the future :)
p.s. This is what 6 months down looks like :)
I'm not worried that my feelings will change :) I love what one of my new favorite songs by Keith Urban says:
"But if anyone can make it, I'm betting on me and you
Just keep on moving in to me
I know you're going to see
The best is yet to come
Don’t fear it now; we're going all the way
Where the sun is shining on a brand new day
It's a long way down, and it's a leap of faith
But I’m never giving up, 'cause I know we got a once in a lifetime love"
Oh my gosh. I cannot believe that today is our 3 year anniversary :) I could write a novel about our journey and memories but I won't. I just want to share some pictures of our journey thus far :)
When Twilight first came out, we made shirts and waited in line all day for the midnight premier :) He didn't even like Twilight.. But he liked me :)
We went to Prom our Junior year since we had only started dating the summer before :)
We also went to Prom our senior year :)
We spent our 1 year anniversary up Provo canyon :)
He stayed by my side after I got my wisdom teeth out :)
He took me to cool places like Squaw Peak :)
We got to visit Stanford University :)
We spent time on the beach in San Francisco :)
We also spent time at Huntington Beach the summer before :)
Then we graduated together :) 2010 baby!
Our 2 year anniversary was amazing :) We really like chocolate covered strawberries and martinelli's :)
July 4th 2010 :)
Fall 2010 I went away to college and he went away to Texas for a month. After he got home, I went home every weekend :) But we'd send a lot of pictures back and forth. Including this one :)
He would also come and visit me at school :)
This was 12 days before he got his mission call :)
8 days after he got his mission call, we flew to Texas to visit his dad :) We also might have spent 12 hours in Cowboys stadium watching football... :)
Our last Christmas together was amazing :) We were inseparable :)
Our favorite thing to do was to take the trax to slc and go to temple square and ice skate outside at Gallivan Plaza :)
Feb 9th 2011 is the day he entered the MTC. But our story does not stop there ladies and gentleman :) it continues every single day :)
Even though today is our anniversary and instead of being together like we are in all the pictures above, we are still together in heart :)
"We really are doing this, and no one is gonna stop us :)" - Elder Preston Wright
<3<3<3
I can't wait to find out what the next 3 years have to hold :)
I am proud to announce that today has been the 100th day that I've been away from my sweetheart <3
I am so so so so happy and proud of myself :) The past 100 days have flown by and they've only been getting and better :)
I woke up this morning and the sun was shinning and birds were singing and this was how I felt after I filled in the 100th bubble of my pyramid countdown :)
It's been 3 months since the love of my life left :) But I'm happy to say that this month has been THEE best one so far :)
This month I got:
3 letters (along with weekly emails)
A memory card with 150 pictures plus video :)
A 10min phone call from the airport :)
Email chatting for the first time :)
My first letter from Hungary
Skying for 2 hours on Mothers Day
and everyday I receive blessings and comfort from our Heavenly Father :)
This month has been the happiest one :) I've been able to do a lot of fun things (even if it's just take out and a movie with my sister) and also I've been able to grow right along with my missionary :) I'm so grateful for this time to grow as a person and figure out what I want to do in life :)
If I could make one wish, it would be, "........................................" Sorry I can't tell you or it won't come true :) I'm just so happy and can't wait to start month number 4!! Bring it on! :)
