I Hope You Find Your Matt

Today is Matt's and my 3 Year Anniversary. If you were at our wedding you're probably asking yourself, "Has it really been that long?" Yep, my friends it has indeed. The photo above is from my Tulsa wedding shower. Aimee & Josh had this made for us and I was kind of emotional about all things wedding. The whole experience was so beautiful and I was continually overwhelmed with the kindness of those wanting to celebrate such an exciting time with us. 

Anniversaries are a good time to reflect on our time together thus far. I think reflecting on all aspects of life is important because it helps you evaluate whether or not you're meeting your goals, or if you need to redefine your goals based on the new variables in your life. I spend a lot of time in the car so I get a lot of good thinkin' time in. On November 5, 2007 I had no idea I had just gone on my last first date. 

The first picture we ever took together. And yes, I invented the selfie. 

The OSU Football Game Leading to our First Date

Our First Trip- to San Antonio and South Padre Island (with his parents)

 When Matt and I started dating we were inseparable. I knew that he must really love me when he agreed to be Mickey and Minnie Mouse for Halloween that year.

I was so excited for our first airplane ride together to Las Vegas. I knew then that Matt would be a great travel partner. 

February 2010

 When we got engaged I felt very excited about the lives we were going to build together. Even if that meant I had to move to Midland. He was just the person I wanted to spend my life with.

Engagement Shoot- September 2010

Our Engagement Party September 2010

My mom made us a cake based on how we met

 On our wedding day my friends commented on how calm I was. I knew I had planned the event down to the last detail and I had no doubts that Matt was it. I didn't have anything to be nervous about. It was a perfect day.

 And since then we have had so much fun together. We've seen a lot of the world and the US in a short time. We have lived in two homes (and states!). We have invested in our friendships and hosted several parties. We have grown closer to our families and now enjoy the opportunity to see them more often. We have worked on our careers to evolve into the professionals we envisioned ourselves to be when we started college. We have watched our friends get married and start their lives together as well.

Scott & Larissa Wedding

Bryan & Jessica Wedding

Marrik & Bryan Wedding

Na'Cole and Jordan Wedding

Adam & Michelle Wedding

Heather & Bryan Wedding

I was visiting with some friends a few months back and we were talking about dating. I was contributing to the conversation about my ideas of dating (I'm totally pro on-line dating) and one of my friends politely said something along the lines that I was married and my dating ideas were invalid. I'm trying to think of a nicer way to rephrase this and get the point across because this may sound a little rude and she wasn't being rude, mostly joking. I nodded my head and said something along the lines of well you have a point. 

Then I got to thinking about it and dating in general and what kind of advice as a married person I could give to my unmarried friends if they are indeed at a point in their life where they want to find a lifetime mate. I don't think there's a thing in the world wrong with someone saying "I'm not looking for anyone right now, I just want to focus on myself and my career." That sounds like someone who will probably stay married after they do get married because they have their priorities straight. I also don't find anything in the world wrong with someone saying "Ya know what, I just don't think marriage is for me" for whatever reason. Don't put yourself or someone else through that if you're not a monogamous person or just have commitment issues. 

As I was thinking about this topic all I could really come to was that whoever my friends ultimately end up with, I hope they find their Matt. And those who are already married, I hope they have found theirs. Matt would probably love it if I said everyone should look for someone just like him to marry because he's just so perfect everyone should want one. Well while that may be a close description for me personally, that would actually be horrible advice. 

I hope that everyone I know ultimately finds that person to build a life with that gives them a sense of security that I get from my relationship with Matt. I hope everyone finds someone who appreciates each other's sense of humor. Who travels or doesn't travel. Who has the same hobbies or prefers time apart to pursue their own endeavors. Who makes up where the other lacks. I don't hope that everyone finds the perfect mate because that's silly and nonexistent. I do hope that everyone finds someone that they want to be better for. Someone worth apologizing to. Someone who you'll actually want to spend retirement with. I feel like we're all given horrible advice about who to pursue. I don't have all of the right answers. Not for myself and certainly not for anyone else. While I find Matt very attractive, extraordinarily intelligent, very handy, and so much fun, that's really not the glue that is holding us together. It's more like fringe benefits. So with that being said, if I can offer at least some advice--find someone that you appreciate a little deeper than that. 

Whether you see us like this-- sophisticated well rounded happy couple

 Or like this: A couple of drunks having an illogical conversation

I hope that we are a couple that our friends and family feel confident that we are really happy and more importantly, really good partners. 

No matter what qualities you use to define your "Matt," On your third anniversary I hope you have a sense of peace and joy about the person you picked to spend your life with.

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