Quotes

Tags

Embracing Traditional Gender Roles, Love, Quotes, Relationships, Womanhood, Women

There are a lot of quotes out there about relationships and love.  Some I agree with, some not so much.  Some serious, some funny.  I’ve been collecting quotes that I relate to as a woman who embraces a traditional role in my relationship.  I like quotes; I think a lot of us do these days.  They’re something to relate to.  They can teach us something, or provide encouragement or inspiration.  I thought I would share this small collection of quotes.

I don’t mind living in a man’s world as long as I can be a woman in it.–Marylin Monroe

It’s all right for a woman to be, above all, human. I am a woman first of all.–Anais Nin

I am not a feminist, Hank. I am Peggy Hill, a citizen of the Republic of Texas. I work hard, I sweat hard and I love hard and I gotta smell good and look pretty while doing it. So, I comb my hair, I re-apply lipstick thirty times a day, I do your dishes, I wash your clothes and I clean the house. Not because I have to, Hank, but because of a mutual, unspoken agreement that I have never brought up, because I am too much of a lady.–Peggy Hill, King of the Hill

Some women were made. But me, myself, I like to think that I was created for a special purpose, and what’s more special than you? You feel me?–Ego, Beyoncé

Linking Up to “and here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson”

Tags

Blogging, link-up, Love, Marriage, national marriage week, Relationships

I have added my link to a link-up at and here’s to you Mrs. Robinson.  This is the first time I’ve done this, so I’m hoping I’ve chosen a good post.  This link-up was based on a fantastic idea.  It is the National Marriage Week link-up.  Please click the Pinterest link below to head on over to her post and learn more about National Marriage week, check out some posts related to love, marriage, relationships, and Valentine’s Day. You may also find my post I chose in the links or here on my blog.

Source: megancamille.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

 

I also encourage you to check out her blog by clicking this button, taken from her blog.

Realizing my Purpose

Tags

Blessings, Christianity, Forgiveness, God, Heart, Life, Life Path, Love, Philosophy, Purpose, Religion

I’m sure that the new year has a lot of people thinking about what their purpose in life might be, or what gifts God has given them.  I know there was a time when I spent hours of the day wondering what that was.  In the grand scheme of things, I suppose it really wasn’t all that long ago, only a few years.  So much has changed since then, and I have learned so much.  I can’t tell you why, as I really don’t know, but for some reason, I feel like this is something I should share.

This story begins in 2008.  This was the year I turned 18.  This year was the year that I decided what I wanted to do with my life.  It was the year that I went away to college and moved into a dorm room.  It was the year that I became a sexual assault survivor.  But, it also became the year that I did a lot of soul searching.

Not many people know, but in my spare time, when no one knew where I was, this was the year I spent hours praying.  In the meditation chapel on campus and sometimes just lying in the sun.  For hours, I would clear my mind and think and pray and those were the hours that gave me peace and kept me going.

In those hours, something I began to ask God was what I was doing here.  I felt understandably directionless.  I wanted to know what my purpose was.  Something most of you wouldn’t imagine is that I also spent time praying for the person who assaulted me, one day in particular I remember tearing up, telling God that I forgive that man and asking him to change his heart and make him a better man.

That year, I also realized what I was doing here.  I knew what God wanted from me.  I wouldn’t understand it until a little later, and I wouldn’t see all the joy and blessings that would come from it, but I knew that I had a beautiful gift from God, a special reason for being here, and something good to put back into the world.  I am far from perfect, so please know that I am saying this out of wonder and thankfulness, not to make others feel less.

I have been given the gift of a loving and forgiving heart.  Forgiveness, compassion, and love for my fellow man flow naturally for me.  I’m not saying I don’t get hurt.  I’ve been hurt a lot during my short life.  I have never been able to hate.  I have always been able to forgive, and for that I am incredibly thankful.  When I realized this, that God has blessed me in this way, I knew that practicing forgiveness and love would be my purpose.  I had no idea where that would take me, or how that would grow in my life, and I didn’t know how blessed I would be.  Life was hard, but in the summer of 2009, I moved back home and my life changed and began to take shape.

I left one life behind, not knowing what was ahead, and all that left room for the path I am on now.  I was home and those ties were the roots I needed to feel grounded and safe again.  Being there, having roots again, being surrounded by the love of family and my church family there at home soothed me and put me on my feet.

I was toddling, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard or that I didn’t feel anxious about where life was taking me, but it didn’t take long for more changes to come.  Something changed that would honestly change the path of my future in a very real way.  In more ways than one, and that something, that someone, came at just the right time.  God gave me love.  When I was broken, slowly healing, God gave me something  I wasn’t looking for and did not think I was ready for.

In the summer of 2009, David came into my life.  I fell in love with him.  I honestly can’t explain it any other way than knowing that this was true love.  It didn’t make very much practical sense to us.  I hadn’t asked for it.  But that space that forgiveness had left waiting in my heart, that one free soft, clean, bright, and lovely space was the one that I know God filled with love for the man I was meant to love, who was meant to love me.

In the 3 years we have been together so far, I have seen a glimpse of the spirit of God in the way that he loves me, the way that he forgives me when I fall flat on my face, his patience, the diligence with which he seeks me out when I put walls up, and all that he has taught me about love.  The Bible says in Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it.”  We aren’t married, but that wonderful example of Christ-like love is what I have been given.  He is my first love, and he has taught me so much of how to love and shown me that I am so much more capable of love than I imagined, and along the way I have grown in love and forgiveness, and he is a part of that.

I thank God for that and the many changes and blessings that have happened in those 3 years.  They have filled me with love and brought me closer to God.  They helped me feel His love and forgiveness more deeply and abundantly as well.  I am stronger for the change in direction that my plans took when I moved home and I am so glad that I have been led to the path my life is on today.  It isn’t what I imagined it would be, but it is so much more incredible and I feel like I am more and more realizing my purpose.  I cannot wait to see where this path takes me in the years to come and I look forward to growing and learning everything I can about the blessings I have been given and putting them into action.

Tips: Meeting the Family

Tags

Holidays, Long Distance Relationship, Love, Meeting Family, Meeting Parents, Relationships, Special Someone, Tips, What To Wear To Meet The Family

I mentioned in my Autumn Update post that I had a list of ideas for posts to write here on Love Built To Last, but I’ve been taking a bit of a break, tending to other things.  I broke out my list and one thing in particular sort of stood out.  I’ve been meaning to share my advice about meeting the family of your significant other, and with the holidays fast approaching, many people will be attending family functions with their special someone, so now seems the perfect time.

In my long distance relationship with David, meeting people is something we seem to be doing continually.  We aren’t together on a day to day basis, so it seems there are less opportunities to see each other’s family and friends, which has really extended the process.  The upside to this, of course, is that I’ve almost become used to it.  It’s a much more relaxed experience than it was in the beginning.  Hopefully some of the advice I share today can help make sure it is that way for you as well.

One of the things that really drove me crazy and made me most nervous about meeting David’s family in the beginning was something so simple and silly.  What should I wear?  I asked myself that, if I knew I was meeting someone in advance I’d ask other people while I was trying to decide.  I knew that the way I looked would make a first impression for me.  I was right about that.  What I didn’t know was that it really just wasn’t that big a deal.  I figured that out later when I was staying at his dad’s house and one of his relatives I hadn’t really met came in while I was washing dishes at their kitchen sink in my pajamas, no makeup on, and my hair piled up on top of my head, looking a mess.

Having said that, context is everything.  My best advice about what to wear is to wear something appropriately modest for the situation (don’t meet grandma in a sequin halter top), don’t be under dressed for an event (no jeans at weddings, people), try to be well groomed as best you can (surprises do happen, refer to my earlier story), wear something that flatters you and that you feel comfortable in, and try to give a little (natural, hold the cheese) smile when you’re being introduced.  When you are comfortable and confident, that will show and it will put other people at ease with you.  Along those same lines…

I also wondered how to act.  I mean, it isn’t as though I wanted to pretend to be someone I’m not, but I wanted to try to present the best side of me and because I’d never been through this before (remember, David is my first and only romantic relationship) I felt like I wasn’t sure how to do that.  The long and the short of it though, is that I spent a little bit of time grossly over-thinking it, and forgot everything when it was actually time to meet them.  I don’t know what kind of 8 tenticled cyclopes alien I thought they would be, but they were just people, and I’m pretty good with people.  I settled into my own self, maybe a bit nervous, because I did want it to go well, my mannerisms were a bit more formal, but I was just me.  That’s exactly what you need to be.

When it comes to how you should act when meeting that special person’s parents, my advice is to be friendly.  Smile when you’re introduced.  Not a fake one.  Be sincere, being introduced to the important people in your love’s life is special and it’s something to be happy about.  Take your cues from them when it comes to shaking hands, hugging, or staying put.  Just pause a moment and wait.  Generally they’ll do what they’re most comfortable with and you can just mirror it.  Be interested.  Be an active listener, meaning listen and respond.  Be polite and just let things flow naturally.  That’s all.  They want to get to know you, so be you.  It’s really that simple.  Just show your own personality and try to get to know theirs as well.

My absolute best advice, if you don’t read anything else on this page, is that if they are going to like you, they will like you no matter how clumsy or awkward you are the first time they meet you.  If they are not going to like you, they’ve probably already made up their mind not to like you.  Nothing you do will change that no matter how crazy you drive yourself.  It’s probably not about you personally.  Just be the best version of yourself and be good to the one you’re with.  That’s really all anyone can ask for.  Ultimately, if you’re making that person happy, that’s what most people care about who care about them, and if you have advanced notice, bake cookies.  Everyone loves cookies, right?

Love Built To Last Autumn Update

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Apple, Autumn, Baking, Blogging, Category, Cold Weather, Cranberry, Date Ideas, Date Night Outfits, Dates, Desserts, Fall, Food, Halloween, Halloween Costumes, Holidays, Hot Drink, Life, Love, Modesty, Oatmeal, Packing, Plans, Relationships, Respect, Schedule, Style, Subscribe, Travel, Update, Writing

After my post yesterday about packing and the long distance relationship, I decided I wanted to do a little bit of an update post.  I actually have a lot of ideas for posts, and plan to be writing maybe a little more than usual this month.  I have also created a new category here on Love Built To Last.  So, I’m going to just explain a bit about what’s going to be happening this fall here on my relationship blog.

First, I’ll get to the new category.  You may or may not have noticed this, but I created a Long Distance Relationship category.  You’ll find that in the side bar under the heading “Organized Chaos” as well as on my Find It Fast page.  For anyone who doesn’t know, David and I are in a long distance relationship.  The category here on the blog came about because previously, I only had one humorous post about what I do when we’re apart, but since then I have recently added a couple posts about packing & the long distance relationship.  I thought the 3 posts were probably a good enough start to warrant a category that would make them easier to find.  I did say “start” just now, didn’t I?  That’s because these three posts are a foreshadowing of more posts to come.  I have a few ideas for posts about this, and you’ll likely see at least one more of those before winter.  I hope that people will enjoy this part of the blog.

I’d also like to fill you in on some posts that you can expect to see this month should you be interested.  I will be writing a modest style post to go along with my Autumn Date Ideas post.  I thought this would be nice.  I’ve seen a lot of date night outfit ideas on magazine sites, but to be honest, I don’t really take much away when I read those.  There aren’t a great deal of modest ideas, and really I just think they’re a little more fashion magazine (sort of conceptual) and a little less man-friendly.  Let’s be honest, a lot of guys like outfits that are just simple and cute and easy for them to understand.  Why are you wearing shorts with pantyhose in the fall?  They just don’t get that.  Why are you wearing a leather jacket and boots with that frilly dress?  I’m joking, of course, not too serious, but it is true.  So I’ll be sharing my simple, practical ideas for cute cozy outfits for different types of dates.

Something very much in line with what I normally do on Love Built To Last, but just a bit different, is a topic I have mentioned quite a few times, but have been planning to eventually post about more often.  I will be writing at least one post about this before winter as well.  Respect.  It is a very big part of our relationship, and something I have written about before.  I will, however, be focusing on it specifically and what it means in my relationship with David, and how I demonstrate respect.  Honestly, it may grow into a category.  I definitely hope those posts will be helpful and interesting for others and maybe give those we know a little bit more insight into how we relate to each other.

Another post was inspired by a question people have been asking quite a bit.  That is “How do you do the holidays?”  How do David and I decide how to schedule our holidays, what is it like, how does it work, does it change, what are the deciding factors, what about the time, how do we feel about the situation?  Those sorts of things.  Honestly, the holidays are a very busy time for us and making this decision is a big deal every year.  If you’re interested in this, or if you’re trying to figure this out yourselves this year, I will be posting this before Halloween.

You might also see a post here or two about what we’re up to this fall.  I’m pretty sure there will be at least one new picture.  So for those close to us, don’t worry you’ll get updated too.  David and I are planning to see each other in a week’s time.  So we’ll be busy little people.

Finally, I thought I’d just post a link here to some autumn and Halloween related posts.

From Love Built To Last:

• My most recent post:  Autumn Date Ideas
• Last year’s Halloween Costume:  A Very Rockabilly Halloween
• A list of ideas for modest Halloween costumes:  Modest Costume Inspiration

From Princess In The Kitchen, a list of recipes I enjoy for fall:

• Apple Sauce Cake
• Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Scone Drops
• Cranberry Sweet Tea
• Hot Caramel Apple Drink
• Oatmeal Apple Scone Drops
• Oatmeal Cake
• Oatmeal Chippers
• Oatmeal Cookies
• Smores Bars
• Stuffed Banana Bread Toast

I hope you enjoy the addition of these recipe links.  Some of them have things I typically associate with cooler weather, like apples and cranberries.  Others are just cozy recipes that are great served warm.  :)

If you’re interested in what’s coming up, be sure to check those posts out this month.  You can also subscribe in the side bar if you want to find those more easily.

A Foundation for the Future

Tags

Children, family, Foundation, Future, Life, Love, Marriage, Parenting, Philosophy, Relationships

I guess it’s obvious from my previous posts, but David and I talk and think a lot about the future, because we know that we will be sharing our future.  I think a lot about how our relationship works, how it is different from other relationships, how it is similar, what we want for our relationship and our future together.  Maybe a bit more than usual, partially because of this blog, partially because of the type of relationship we have, and partly because now that David and I have been together for so long, people see how serious we are and they want to know more about our relationship, our plans, etc.  So, they ask a lot of questions.  Everything just conspires to keep me thinking.  This time, I’ve had some very interesting thoughts and/or observations that I want to try to share with you as best I can.

Something you may not know about David and I is that someday, once we are married, we hope to have children.  We talk about this from time to time, sometimes just joking about something we’ve seen, saying “our kids will never do that.”  Other people also seem to just assume we will have children.  I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard, “your children” or “when you two have kids.”  I generally smile a little every time, both happy to think about what’s ahead of us, and amused that this just slips out in conversation.  Sometimes they try to correct it, but it’s just kind of funny.  Obviously, this is no surprise to anyone.

Something that may be more surprising, though, is that David and I already think of each other as a family.  We are each other’s family now, strange as that may sound.  The first time we realized this was our first year together.  We were in the car in November, talking about our plans for the holidays, and wondering how that would work out.  We talked about the holidays and wanting to be with family, and something was said that we’ll both never forget.  I think I will always remember it.  We are our own family, and as long as we are together, we will always be home.  This is one of the most beautiful and most important thoughts that we have ever shared in our relationship, and it’s what this post is about, viewing a committed couple as a family in itself.  Stick with me.

One night last week, I was doing some thinking, and a very compelling thought, and this basis of this post came into my mind.  A relationship and the way that it functions or does not function, for better or for worse, can ultimately be the foundation for a future family.  What do I mean by that?  Well, it’s really both very simple, and as complex as you want to make it.  I believe that the way we treat each other now, the way that we love, the respect that we show, and the mistakes that we learn from are the beginnings of a foundation for our marriage, and, ultimately, a family with our future children.

Think about it, as human beings we are always forming patterns and habits.  They say it takes about two months to form a habit.  That means after about two months, generally, you’ll start to do something without thinking or reminding yourself.  Well, that can be very good or very bad.  I don’t think this is any different in a relationship.  This isn’t a revolutionary idea.  Most people who have made it to adulthood probably know that if someone treats you badly when your relationship is new, whether that is romantic or a friendship or even a business relationship, things aren’t likely to change.  That’s just how they are.  I believe this can work in a very positive way as well.

If we look back on our relationship and remember examples of dishonesty, mistrust, or disrespect, seeds of doubt will blossom.  It will be harder to trust, harder to be honest, harder to give respect, because there will be a reason to be afraid that it won’t be returned.  But if we look back on our relationship and remember example after example of our partner proving to us repeatedly that they are honest, trustworthy and trusting, and respectful, we know that it is safe to return those things, that our heart is safe with them.  We’ll know that we can count on them, and lean on them, because they have proven it.  This is the same way it will be when we are married, and I am glad that I will have the security that comes from years of examples that he is exactly the man he promises to be.

I fully believe that the sense of security that gives me will be reflected in my daily life with David.  I also believe that children know when things aren’t right.  They know when their parents are under stress and strain.  When the person they depend on is afraid or worried they can tell, and they take on a little bit of that insecurity themselves, even though they don’t usually realize that.  When they see their parents happy and loving, they will know that their parents have love to give.

I also believe, and evidence will back me up–frankly you can probably just think back to your own childhood or someone else you know and see this–that the attitude a woman, or man, has toward her or his partner will be reflected in the attitude of their children toward the other.  I show David my utmost respect, and to be honest, I have noticed that in respecting him as I do, others in my life assume that he is worthy of respect.  They take my cues because I know him and I’m close to him.  This will be even more important when we have children because children are impressionable and vulnerable and take their cues entirely from you at first as to who is safe to trust and respect.  If I set a good example for them, they are more likely to respect him as their father.  If a child’s parent doesn’t respect the choices their partner makes, why would the child?  I respect David as a man, as a leader in our relationship, and someday I know I will have a great respect for the father he will become.

Please understand that I do not mean to say that a child has to have two parents, or that divorced parents are not good parents.  What I am saying is that when a child sees their parent showing love, they will take it as an example.

This is so important to me.  Something that I have seen a lot of is that parents teach their children how to love, whether wrong or right.  I’ve seen good examples and bad examples.  There are so many studies, books, popular culture references, and people have been writing songs about it for a very long time.  Children tend to love the way they were taught to love.  This is something that is carried with us into adulthood.  We either follow the example of our parents or we make an effort not to follow in their footsteps.

I know that our children will someday have the right examples of what love means.  They will know that love is a wonderful thing, to love and to be loved.  They will know that love does last.  They will know that love is a living, growing thing that you nurture and keep strong.  They will know that you never run out of love to give.  That love doesn’t go away no matter what happens, that David and I will always love each other and we will always love them.  They will know that love never ever hurts, if anything, love heals.  That will start now, today.  Someday our children will be better off because we are building a strong foundation for a family by growing together in love that is only stronger every day.

Again, please don’t take this personally.  There are many wonderful single parents.  Many wonderful divorced parents with happy children who live and love well, and people who had wonderful loving parents but just didn’t follow in their footsteps.  I don’t mean to put anyone down.  All i mean to say is that I believe that building a good relationship now will build a strong foundation for a better future together.

Love, Amish Food, and Reverie

Tags

Amish Restaurant, Blogging, Date Night, Day Trip, Food, Gasthof Amish Village, Gasthof Amish Village Restaurant, Inexpensive Day Trip, Love, Memories, Overlook Park, Relationships, Road Trip, Scenic Drive, Shoals IN, Sight Seeing, Unique Date, Washington IN

Saturday, as my friends may have seen on my Facebook, David and I had a truly wonderful day. We had a very long, fantastic date, which made me quite happy, as is evident from the fact that it warranted a Facebook status and I’m here talking about it as well.

Something you may or may not know is that David and I love to go for little mini adventures in the car.  Day trips, or just little activities nearby.  Sometimes just a long drive.  Well, one night some time ago, Valentine’s day, I believe, after dinner on one of our dates, we went for a long drive which ended up in Washington, IN.  I thought it was a really cool place from what I saw of it.  A cute town, and on the drive, I’d also seen some signs for Amish restaurants.  I’ve never been to one so I mentioned it, thought it would be neat to go to one sometime.  So, that has been on our list of adventures to have.  I actually found some listed online within a comfortable driving distance from here and have had them bookmarked in a folder called “Places To Check Out” on my computer.  I think I actually mentioned the idea in my Warm Weather Date Ideas post here.  Late last week, David and I were discussing what we wanted to do for the weekend, and he said he’d like us to have a special date, and eventually, he decided we’d make our minds up to go ahead and go to the Amish restaurant.  The one we chose was one of my bookmarks, Gasthof Amish Village Restaurant.

So, Saturday, we woke up late, took our time getting ready.  I got dressed up nice, did my hair and makeup, all the things that put me in that “I feel pretty” mood and make it already feel like a very good day.  The sky was the bluest blue with white, fluffy, cotton candy clouds when we headed out the door around 1 something, or 2 in the afternoon, and drove through some of the prettiest land I’ve ever seen.  Talking, day dreaming about the future.  Thinking about all the trips like that we’ll have, how nice it might be to live somewhere with a big yard, all those things people like us daydream about.  Pointing out houses each of us like along the way. Which ones have the best porches.  Getting a little misty eyed like the softies we are, holding hands, and sitting as close as two people safely can in the front seat of a car.

We arrived at Gasthof Amish Village sometime between 3PM and 4, ravenously hungry with growling bellies, but I still couldn’t help pausing to take in how beautiful the sky was, and all the grass and trees and open space around us.  It makes me feel peaceful and at ease.  When I’m surrounded by green and wide open skies, I just can’t help drinking it in.  Then we headed into the restaurant.

We love to have dinner together, I think it’s on the top of the list of things for couples to do together for a good reason, especially if you take time for conversation.  <–  Definitely at the top of our list.  For whatever reason, though, there’s just something about the two of us being at a table together that makes it feel like we’re the only two people in the world, no matter what is happening around us.

In this case, it was a doubly wonderful experience, because we were trying new things.  I love sharing new experiences together, it’s so much fun.  It gives us something to talk about, makes memories that will last, and helps us bond even more–which most people probably wish we wouldn’t do as we are stuck like glue already.  The atmosphere was nice, the lights were sort of soft with warm woods on all the walls and the ceiling.  It felt so cozy and relaxing.  We talked and laughed, and fed each other little bits of our favorite things from our plates.  There’s something so much fun to me about sharing that.  For whatever reason, when one of us likes something a lot, we must convince the other to try it.  I suppose because we want each other to have everything good.

After dinner, we walked a bit.  Another favorite.  I love the simple pleasure of walking together holding his hand, but that pleasure isn’t always accompanied by getting to see, feed, and pet donkeys and pony!  I love animals, love to see them, feed them, pet them, and yes, talk to them in that high pitched baby voice like a fool.  So that is what we did.  =]  Only, he wasn’t as much a fool as I.  I think he quite enjoyed getting to giggle at me and my “you’re so cute” voice, and I became friends with the animals too quickly.  P.S.  If he wins the lottery big time, you’ll know because in our new backyard will be a new donkey and a new pony.

Gasthof Amish Village Restaurant, Image taken from GasthofAmishVillage.com

Once back in the car, we decided to take another drive through Washington, IN, which was close by. This time in the day when we could both see more, especially me. It was a very cute little town. Looking at the old buildings was fun as always. There are so many different types of architecture just downtown. Lots of things to check out in Washington, which is why we’ll probably go there again.

After that, we headed back. Though, that was not the end of our little trip by any means. On the way to Gasthof, I’d seen an overlook. Actually, to be more accurate, Overlook Park. It was probably one of the nicest overlooks I’ve seen, with plenty of space, and a picnic shelter. It did seem to have a nice view, so on the way back, when we saw the sign for the overlook, we stopped there, and it was breathtaking. The view looked out on a river valley. The river sparkled in the early evening sun, and the bright green grass stretched out like a blanket over the valley in our view through the shade of the trees, crowned by the evening sun. A perfect ending to a perfect day, really. We sat there, at a picnic table, just admiring the view, and feeling the warm breeze for a long while, and it was one of the most romantic moments I can imagine.

Overlook Park, Image by Marie B. Hawkins of Overlook Rentals, Shoals, IN

After a while, we stirred from our reverie, and finally did head back, the long way, meandering through the winding roads surrounded by trees, land dotted with cows and horses, and found our way back to the rest of the world, which, to be honest, felt far away for me, and I think for both of us, as we had soda and ice cream and I mused aloud how this was one of the best dates, and best days, I ever had.

I am so grateful to have such a cute, loving, thoughtful, affectionate love who takes me on sweet little adventures like this one. He knows just how to make me happy, and has given me so many wonderful days like this. Happy times, laughter, beautiful memories, hours of holding hands, and love that just goes on forever.

Images in this post are not photos taken by David or myself.  We didn’t think to bring a camera.  I’m sure we will next time.  So, for the purposes of this post I used images from the websites of the places we went.  I did try to link and give credit as best I could.  Please do visit the Gasthof amish village website to see more about them, as well as washington indiana’s site.  I don’t really know much about overlook rentals, but the image is just wonderful and there are more there of different places in the area.  The image should link you there.

Should you be interested, I’ll be doing a post on Princess In The Kitchen about Gasthof Amish Village Restaurant soon.  Not exactly a review, but I’ll share the link for the restaurant’s website and tell you a little about it, what I thought about it, what I ate there, how the food was.  That kind of thing.  It will be just my personal experience and opinion.  I just enjoyed it so much I thought I’d take it upon myself to write about it.  It will be the first post of its kind on Princess In The Kitchen and I’ll share the link here once the post is up.

Three Years of Boundless Love

Tags

Anniversary, Date, Lake, Love, Relationships

A picture of David and I on the last day of our first visit in 2009.

First Anniversary 2010

July 2011

September 2012

 

 

Those of you who know us, and perhaps some of us who don’t know us closely, will know that July 14 was the third anniversary of our relationship.  I’ve been meaning to write a post about this, but have been too busy enjoying my time with David, and trying to get a few things done for him while he’s been at work as well.

These past three years have absolutely, without question, been the best and most exciting years of my life.  I am the best version of myself I have ever been.  I am the happiest I have ever been, the most at peace, the most sure of myself.  I certainly have the most to look forward to.  I know if you ask David he feels the same way about both of us.  Our relationship is filled with love that grows every second of every day exponentially, and we grow closer and closer, though distance often separates us.  We couldn’t ask for any more than the three years of unconditional, boundless love, but we look forward to many more years, and being able to share that love by waking up to each other every single day as soon as possible.  I cannot begin to explain in this post how blessed I am to have him, or how blessed we both feel to have found so great a love with so much time to enjoy and share that love.  However, if you are so inclined, please feel free to read more of this blog where I do attempt to describe it, in the mean time, I’ll share with all of you how we spent this special day.

David drove to my mom’s house late Friday after he got off work so that we could wake up together Saturday morning.  We had breakfast together, and then headed to the lake.  We thought it would rain us out, but, we were blessed with good weather.  Warm, but not too hot, and only cloudy skies.  We spent the entire morning in the water, swimming together, playing in the water, having playful splash fights, and occasionally one of us (pointing to myself) getting thrown into the water.  It was a wonderful morning, and for the first hour or so we had the swimming area to ourselves.  It remained uncrowded, quiet, calm.  We had the best time I’ve ever had at the lake.  Plenty of warm, romantic moments, holding each other in the water, sharing all those little lovey whispers couples do when they’re truly in love.  A ton of fun!  Lots of laughs dodging slippery fish who like to nibble on toes and watching David encroach on a turtle’s personal space twice before the little turtle bit him a second time and finally felt satisfied he’d made his point.

We headed back around lunch time, and pulled up outside my mom’s house just in time to see smoke rising from the grill.  We had a great lunch, spent a good bit of time enjoying my mom’s front porch.  Laughed for a few minutes with family.  Then I got all dressed up and we talked, laughed, held hands, and entertained ourselves during the four hour drive, stopping to have dinner along the way.

About half an hour before midnight, I gave him his gift from me.  A little box I made, filled with 100 cards telling him why I love him.  Those 100 reasons could never begin to cover it, but it was enough to make us both warm and misty eyed thinking of how blessed we are to have each other.  It was a good end to the evening.  We had cookies I baked for him from a recipe I wrote just for him, and then fell asleep holding each other.

Advice About Finding The One

Tags

Advice, Dating, Dating Advice, Finding The One, Love, Relationship Advice, Relationships, Single Ladies, The One

David and I have been in a relationship for very nearly 3 years now.  Yet, I still can’t resist reading dating advice for single women and men.  Why?  Because I find them entertaining.  Mostly because they give ridiculous advice in my opinion.  I have seen some good blogs that have some smart advice, but if you’ve ever read Cosmo…  You’ll know what I mean when I say a lot of what is out there is just silly.

So, tonight, I thought I’d make this very brief post to give you my best advice in regards to finding the one, from my own personal experiences.

1. I know you have a list.  Tear that up right now and throw it out.  It doesn’t mean anything.  This is like planning out your life, that isn’t how it works.
2. Toss the rule book out the window.  The rules of dating don’t work for everyone.  Every person is different and the circumstances are also different.
3. Stop LOOKING for the one!!!  That’s how I found the one.  Frankly I never did look for the one.  I hadn’t gotten to that point in my life I guess, and really wasn’t looking for something so serious.  When he found me, though, I was surprised to realize, very quickly that I was ready to be in love, to settle down, and at least with him, wanted that more than anything in the world.  From what I have seen of others, it seems to me that looking for the one turns every person you date into the one or the potential for being the one.  Please, keep your vision clear.  Just view everyone you meet as someone you might want to get to know and take it from there.

To sum it up, my best advice to you is to live your life until you find the one.  Concentrate on what is already in your life and nourish those relationships.  Do the things that are just for yourself, and just be a little selfish for a while.  When you find the one for you, they will fall in love with you for who you are and you will have much more of yourself to give.

I hope this advice is helpful, or, at the very least, interesting for you.  I do plan to do a few more posts in the future that might have a bit more entertaining advice in them.  Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments section, or ask my opinion about something if you’d like.

How Does She Feel About That?

Tags

Christianity, Faith, family, Friends, God, Life, Love, Philosophy, Relationships, Religion, Spirituality

I have so many ideas for posts right now, but unfortunately I’ve been a little sick and very lazy.  Today, though, I decided that I would just commit and start writing. I’m hoping this will be an effective strategy to break through my writers block.  If you see this post published, you’ll know it was.

One of the things I’ve wanted to write about is a question that comes up from time to time as people are learning about the relationship David and I have.  Someone asked him this a few weeks ago I guess, and I joked that perhaps we should have some cards printed up with my answer on them to speed things along.  David doesn’t go to church, and I do.  When people learn this, they tend to ask the same question.  ”How does she feel about that?”  Well, aren’t you lucky?  Because today I’m going to give you an answer.  Now, the answer to this is both very simple and a little complex.  For the purposes of this blog, though, I’m going to try to keep things concise while still expanding on my feelings a bit.

The simple answer to this question is, I’m not worried about it.  There, question answered.  Move along, nothing to see here.

I’m kidding, come back.

I know that isn’t what people expect, but it’s the simple truth.  It’s never worried me.  I don’t think about it all that much.  It has never been a problem in our relationship.  I know in my heart and believe with every fiber of my being that we are both where we need to be.  I believe that he was meant to be in my life, that our love is something that was inevitable, and that our love is meant to be for always.  I don’t feel the need to try to change him.

Coming from a Southern Baptist background, being raised in a home with a very conservative father, I can see why people ask this question.  I know a lot of people believe that Christians should only date other Christians who have been baptized, belong to a church they attend regularly, pray every day, have read the Bible multiple times cover to cover, ask a blessing for every meal, have it all together, and are very religious.  I respect that opinion, and in this post, I’m really not going to try and refute that.  If that is what you believe, and you feel called to make those your requirements, that is what you need to do.  Please don’t let me sway you.

I have gone to church since before I could talk.  I have read the Bible since I was old enough to read.  I do not have all the answers, and I do not believe any of us do.  I believe if you believe the Bible, you should believe that as well.  No human being has all the answers.  Something I do believe is that we have been given the ability to know right from wrong and to be able to feel what is good and what is not deep within ourselves.  We all have personal convictions, and it is important to listen to those.  That presence within me has never urged me to try to change David.  To the contrary, it has given me peace and security in the knowledge that he was meant to love me in the way that men are intended to love.  It has also given me the tranquil quiet assurance that he will be the leader I need in our relationship.  I have never had any doubts.  The love we share feels good, clean, and pure.  What I feel convicted to do is to be a good partner for him, to accept his love, and to allow him to be what I need in my life.

Some people think that a Christian woman shouldn’t marry a man who isn’t in church because he can’t lead a wife and family in living a godly life.  I’m telling you right now that this is not a concern to me at all.  We haven’t married yet, that’s true, but I have seen evidence that he is perfectly capable.  I was in quite a state when he found me.  I don’t care to expand on that, but my life was a mess to be honest.  I had been through some very dark things and I’d made some mistakes that I just couldn’t shake the guilt of.  I’d held onto my faith, but I felt like I was treading water, scrambling to be something I knew I was meant to be.  When David came into my life, he crashed through my walls and saw my pain, my guilt, and the good that was inside me.  He accepted it all, and loved me unconditionally.

Little by little he revealed to me what he knew I was capable of and I confided in him the things I struggle with, the things I wanted for my future, the kind of woman I wanted to grow to be.  He showed me the way that he lives, his deeply held convictions, and we shared them.  He inspires me to be better, he won’t settle for anything less than my best.  He shows me the woman I always was, the woman he saw and fell in love with, and he helps me to live in a way that leaves me doubtless about my character.  He has brought a new level of honesty into my life.  I confide in him when I have guilt or doubts about myself and he puts me at ease.  I know that he can love me in the way that I never thought about before he came into my life.  He can love me in a way that is Christ-like.

I am a better woman now and a stronger woman than before he came into my life. Now, that isn’t only because of him, I have some wonderful people in my life, and I have worked hard myself to move forward in a way that makes me proud of the person I am becoming each day.  But, he has brought only good into my life.  The goodness within him leaves me awestruck at times.  The gentle love and care that he gives me could move me to tears, and has before.  Not only that, but I have never felt as much peace, fulfillment, and faith as I do now.  I have never been closer to God.  He is a part of that.  So, if you worry for me that he isn’t right for me or is not what I need, that he will be a stumbling block to me, please don’t.  If you worry for him that he isn’t where he needs to be, I ask that you please try not to.  I know in my heart that God sees him as I do.  It feels good to feel sure that I am living my destiny, and to see my purpose clearly.  (Maybe more about that later.)  It feels even better to be blessed to have the man who was made for me, who I was made for, to walk that path with.

This is not written to make any theological statements, as should be evident from the lack of scriptural references.  I’m not really interested in a religious debate.  I just wanted to share the way i feel about this part of our relationship for those who are curious.  Especially those who are close to us. Please be respectful of this, should you choose to comment.