*Warning... this is a LONG post. With LOTS of pictures!*
Today is our 3 year anniversary. I have been dreaming of this particular anniversary since we said I do! You see, I knew the first 3 years would be the hardest for us... let's just say I was right.
We got married May 16, 2009 at Marlsgate Plantation in Scott. It was a sultry day in the south, but everything I could have ever dreamed of for our big day.
After the long walk down the aisle, we had a small reception in a big tent on the side lawn...
And, after the happiest day of my life, we headed to Europe for our honeymoon!
London...
Paris...
Roma...
I can't even begin to explain how much fun we had... and how much we needed a vacation once we got home! :) So, anyways... We got home from Europe late Sunday night and I started my last year of graduate school Monday morning.
Life never slowed down! Two weeks after our honeymoon, I got sick. I spent the whole summer in doctors' offices trying to figure out what was going on. During this whole medical ordeal, I was also still trying to go to school, we moved out of our house in Conway, and Matt was accepted to Case Western. I was diagnosed with an acute onset of TMJ and trigeminal neuralgia. Seriously. I had braces put on the top teeth and the most horrible bottom retainer that actually moved my teeth instead of keeping them in place. Once the retainer did its job, I got a full mouth of braces. This is just what I wanted during this time of my life, but ya gotta roll with the punches.
In August, we made the big move to Cleveland. Matt started Law School and I started clinicals. About 2 weeks after we moved in our townhouse, it flooded. Not just a little water. I mean the flood gates were lifted. Our washer (on the 3rd floor) was installed incorrectly, and we came home from lunch one day to a completely flooded 2nd floor, which is our main living space. My new rug, ruined. My hardwood floor, ruined. My new china cabinet, ruined. So, we moved into a hotel for about 3 weeks while repairs were made at the house. Not long after we moved back into our house, we were introduced to snow. I mean bone chilling, feet upon feet of white snow. It was beautiful. Until we realized life didn't even slow down up here with feet upon feet of snow. Nope. Everything just kept on going. I had to learn to drive in some serious road conditions and I became a bit of a recluse. I never wanted to leave the house because it was always so cold and getting anywhere took an act of congress. The very first snow we got was a Sunday night, and we were so excited. We ran up to the rooftop to watch it come down... as soon as we opened the rooftop door, the alarm went off. I took off down the stairs and ended up with a scar on my shoulder, a small contusion, and a whole in the wall.
My mom and dad came up for Thanksgiving, and we spent the week cooking and shopping, movies and just relaxing. It was nice for them to be here and show them around town.
Fast forward to Spring/Summer 2010. I graduated with my Master's. Matt finished his first year of LS. We moved to Rhode Island. Not kidding. Matt had a great opportunity with a financial group in Providence. I was able to be off that summer and just kinda hang out with him, which was so fun! We drove to Boston one weekend to celebrate his birthday and took the train to New York City one weekend. We also made a trip to the Bahamas with Matt's family, a weekend trip to Toledo for a Brad Paisley concert, Cedar Point for a day, and an Indian's Game.
That fall we returned to Cleveland for school and work. It was a busy year. We made it to a few Razorback games, a Brown's Game, a Cav's Game (before Lebron left), and our niece, Emily, was born in December.
We settled back into the swing of things after Christmas break. I was still working as a contract therapist, and Matt was back in school... Until I began having problems with my mouth... again. Matt found a surgical dentist, and I was diagnosed with Exostosis. In March, I had the exostosis removed. I was out of commission for about 2 weeks after my surgery. And on a liquid diet for about 3-4 weeks. I think Matt really thought about killing me a few times. :)
My mom also came up that spring, and we headed down to Canton to the NFL Hall of Fame. We all had a great time. We also took mom out to Chinato's for her birthday.
Before ending the semester, Matt and I met his mom and dad in NYC. The guys were doing some business, so the ladies got to have some fun! Teresa and I shopped all around NY, and we saw MEMPHIS, which is probably one of the best plays I've seen. We also had dinner at the Lincoln one night. OMG. That's. All.
When Matt finished his 2nd year, we moved to Russellville for him to work and me to play. :) I spent the summer at the pool with 2 of the cutest little boys, and the sweetest little girl...
In June, I was able to go to San Diego with Matt, his dad, and Ryan on a little business trip. I had an absolute blast. I bought a 2-day ticket for the little trolley that takes you all around the city, and I was as happy as a pig in mud. I went to the San Diego Zoo, little shopping districts, an outdoor mall, and the beach. The zoo was my fave!
We also got to go to Mexico with my parents... Cabos San Lucas. We were gone for a whole week, and it was wonderful.
As the summer ended and we headed back to Cleveland for one more year, Zak met us Niagara Falls. So beautiful.
Once the fall semester started, I found a more permanent job. We kinda got settled into a routine, which is a rarity for us. We went to Dallas and Fayetteville for a few games...
And, my dad came up in October to celebrate his birthday... Go Browns!
My mom and dad came back up for Thanksgiving this year. They were here all week! They took me to lunch, we did a little shopping, and on Thursday, we watched the parade and cooked a big meal. Friday, my mom and I got up early for some crazy shopping in Strongsville! After the Arkansas/LSU game, they headed home. We spent Christmas in Russellville, and the weekend before in WM to celebrate and see family.
Right after the first of the year, we put our townhouse on the market. I can hardly believe our time in Cleveland is almost up. I feel like the last 3 years have been a complete whirlwind. We took a last hoorah in March when we went on our cruise... before real life starts!
I am so lucky to be celebrating 3 years with Matt... I can't wait for a lifetime of memories!
