Newly-Weds in Memphis

Our wedding ended with a grand finale…fireworks and taking off in our family’s John Deere Gator. It was a day and night of relaxing-loose, fun-filled times with family and friends and although it was an elegant and soft farm, rustic themed wedding…leaving in a Gator added a lasting spunky and humorous image. We embarked on a 2-day honeymoon to Nashville which was the 1st (or 2nd) time Andrew has ever succeeded in surprising me. It was definitely memorable and I couldn’t have asked for better.

Now as newly-weds in Memphis, we live spontaneously and make the most of each day together despite challenges. In fact, we had our very 1st fight on New Year’s Eve and I went to bed at 10:30p and didn’t talk to Andrew for a while (it’s what I do…shut down or hide). So, in remembrance of our poopy night and Andrew trying to get me up for the drop of the ball and New Year festivities…we proudly bought a Waterford crystal New York Times Square ball ornament (it was $100 and purchased for $30!). But there is much more to our marriage than that…

Football madness – U of L vs. Memphis in October; UK vs. East Carolina at the Liberty Bowl; Andrew’s 2nd successful surprise in taking me to the Titans vs. Ravens NFL playoffs!

Art fairs, plays, park times, boring times, pumpkin carving, bike shopping for adopted kids, Opryland Hotel on Christmas Eve, working out, spending time with in-laws and friends, and much more. Although we live in what my grandparents call "Switzerland in Memphis" we still have frequent visitors...2-3 inch critter roommates...cockroaches (we live on the river)!

What we have to look forward to…saving up vacation time to visit with family, friends, and more sports fan- fest – NBA games and MLB games. And of course, saving for a smoking hot honeymoon as newly-weds (again and believe me…we’ll totally act like it) after Andrew graduates…now that’s something to look forward to - WAHOO.

4 Months & Still Loving It!

It’s been nearly 4 months and we are still saying, “I can’t believe we’re married!” Spending 3 ½ months apart and never seeing each other before the wedding must have paid off somehow. Sometimes we reflect on the beginning of our complicating relationship (we started out as best buds), our long engagement, and beautiful wedding and see how it was all a part of God’s perfect plan. After my 5 year relationship ended half-way in college…I never wanted a boyfriend, didn’t want to get married before 30, and not sure if I really wanted kids (although, I always wanted to adopt). God stocked Andrew up on the ingredient, patience and slowly but truly converted our friendship (after a few trial and errors) into a relationship. We truly never saw this coming. In fact, we can’t really tell you when we started dating. Needless to say, we don’t know how to be serious. We’re like 2 kids laughing and dreaming about tomorrow. Each day we learn more about each other and it’s hard for me to believe that we love each other more today than we did yesterday (I had a hard time saying the 3 words before we got married). I was not a very affectionate girlfriend and even fiancé, but marriage has changed me in so many ways I cannot explain. Waiting for my husband was the best thing I could have done for our marriage. We have so many adventures to look forward to and each day is not taken for granted. Our lives are not perfect .I always say, ‘when things are going right…something is wrong.’ Not in a negative or pessimistic sense but it seems that something always goes wrong in our daily living…and that’s okay. If you do not already know, you will see through the many stories that we share. How we somehow turn around every unpredictable, poopy, disastrous, event into a Dill moment. That’s why we’re the spunky, spontaneous, spiritual, and down-right silly Pickle Couple!