our trip where we gained a new sis

i officially have another sister! 

we just got back from an eleven day trip to the greatest state in this country. 

We were able to spend quality time with family and friends, though it never seems like enough time.

Our family lives all over the country and because of that, there aren't alot of times, we're all together.

I'm not going to lie, it sucks.

It is hard to listen to people who complain about the "fights" they have over their weekly family dinners;

when our family is just yearning to be in each other's presence.

It is hard to be away from people you love.

But there is something that we gain.

We truly appreciate our time together.

When we are together, we are reminded of our priorities.

This weekend was an incredible moment for us,

we gained a new member to our family and

our name.

With their union, Zach and his siblings have all found their partners in life.

Claire is not just the right fit, she is the only fit.

Their wedding was hot and gorgeous, just as their marriage will be.
I had the honor of doing their rehersal dinner video and I want to share it with you here

We love you both!

And to our families, we will see you soon.

-zach and hay

(i dont have alot of photos because i stayed away from the camera this trip but here are a few!)

ten months

ten months of marriage.

so close to a year!

ten lessons I've learned in ten months.

1. zach is the funniest human being on earth

--i knew zach was funny but now that i live with him i've realized, there is no one who can make me laugh harder.

2. don't leave the apartment in the middle of a fight

--go to a different room, yes. but for us, leaving can't happen. we both get really hurt by it and it is the most unproductive action we can take. 

3. alone time is healthy

--we are together a lot but it is good to get away from everything and just think or listen to music or be with Jesus.

4. praying always works better than complaining

--i have tried to nag about things i wish zach would do or not do and the change doesn't last. but when i ask God to change mine or his heart about the situation, there is always a change and it sticks!

5. zach has my back

--the unity that has come about, in the last ten months is incredible and there have been moments where i am reminded that Zach will always be there for me. 

6. it is okay to fail

--we say stuff we don't mean, we yell and cry, it happens. expecting perfection is unfair.

7. it's not always fair

--sometimes i feel like i deserve things from Zach and it doesn't happen. I'm sure he feels the same way. Learning to love him even in moments when it doesn't feel fair has brought so many blessings.

8. my words carry a lot of weight with him

--one careless sentence from my mouth can stick with him even when i have long forgotten about it. The same with encouragement, everyone can say how great i did, but it is just different when it comes from him. 

9. nights that include sweats, pizza and watching tv on the couch next to him have been some of our greatest.

--after a long week, sometimes simple is what we need. staying in on a friday night shouldn't mean we're lame and if it does, than i love being lame.

10. loving him is a privilege

--God chose me to love this guy, it's a freaking blessing!

Here's to making more mistakes, memories and learning a million more lessons!

-hay