I don't even know where to begin. I am filled with such joy and astonishment when I think back to this time exactly one year ago. Did I type that right? ONE YEAR AGO!?! U.n.b.e.l.i.e.v.a.b.l.e. This time LAST YEAR was our wedding week. I can still feel every emotion and every thought as I reflect on that week. To this day, Torrey and I still talk about how that week marks one of the greatest weeks/weekends of our lives. To be honest, I don't think we will ever stop reminiscing.
I am completely blown away by the fact that exactly ONE YEAR ago, I was preparing to marry the greatest man God ever created. I remember that feeling. I remember realizing what an amazingly rare gift Torrey was and being in complete awe of the fact that he would be MY husband. No one else's.....just mine. I remember dreaming about what an amazing Christian leader my Torrey was going to be and how excited I was to establish our new home together with God in the center. I remember having butterflies the entire week (and of course on our BIG DAY) from thinking about the holy union that I would be entering into with God and my Torrey. I remember thinking about how strange it was going to be to now be known as "Alexandra Clark" instead of "Alexandra Wadley" (even though I couldn't be more proud to wear the name "Clark"). I remember the many family members and close friends who spent countless hours helping to finish the last minute details for our special day. I remember being so excited to be known as the "woman of the home" and taking on real, domestic responsibilities. I remember soaking up every single moment I had with my parents and siblings, realizing that the dynamics of our family were changing....forever. I remember trying to imagine what my Torrey's expression was going to be when he saw me for the first time walking down the aisle. I could go on and on, but the point is, I remember, and I'm so thankful I do. As wonderful as our wedding week and of course our wedding day was, what came after we said "I Do" was really where it gets overwhelming.
As I reflect on the first year of our marriage, I am in total shock. I knew that married life would be a huge blessing and that Torrey would be a remarkable husband, but I had no idea what I was in for. Our first year has been far better than I could have ever imagined. I am glad that certain comments I received such as, "You just wait, the first year is the hardest year filled with ups and downs" did not come true. Obviously, there are going to be adjustments during the first year, but those normal adjustments have made us stronger and closer than ever.
My love for my Torrey has grown and deepened far more than I thought possible. I love my life with Torrey. I love how he leads our home closer to God every single day. I love how he loves and serves God. I love how he loves teaching others about God. I love how classy, sharp and intelligent he is. I love how his character never changes. I love how hard of a worker he is (you wouldn't believe his work ethic). I love how he takes his life as a Christian more serious than anything. I love how he is incredibly goofy (in the comfort of his home...does that shock some of you? :)) I love how he listens to me and validates my feelings. I love how he is my lifelong best friend. I love how he makes me feel loved, cherished and respected. I L.O.V.E. who my Torrey is. I hope and pray that I have impacted Torrey's life at least half as much as he has impacted my life this past year. I feel honored to be his bride and am inspired every single day to be the best wife and help meet to him that I can be. I have such a long, long way to go, but all I know is that being married to my Torrey Justin Clark is worth the effort! I will forever thank God for bringing my sweet Torrey into my life. I will never forget our incredible first year of marriage. It has truly been a gift from God. BRING ON YEAR #2!!!
This is precious and I love it. I'm a sucker for sappy posts! I am SO happy that God brought you two together, and that He brought you both into our lives as well! You are an amazing Christian couple and we are honored to have you as friends, especially to be let in on the goofiness sometimes (ie: pajama parties). Love you guys so much! Congrats on a year =)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! So happy for yall! We had people telling us that the first year would be the worst and possibly the second, but that wasn't the case at all! If anything the second was the best because little Natalie came into our lives. :) I am glad we are both able to be examples that the first year doesn't have to be the worst, but the best! :) Enjoyed the read!
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