3 years ago today, in the Wisconsin home I grew up in, I was awoken by my mom + childhood best friend who burst in my room exclaiming “You’re getting married today!!!”. I was beyond excited. I was one of those girls who dreamed of the day that I would become a bride, adorned in a beautiful gown, given away to an adoring groom. On Friday, July 18th, 2008, my dream finally came true. Our wedding was filled with everything you could ever hope for; love, laughter, tears, family, food and dancing. The thing I didn’t realize at the time is that the biggest blessings come after the wedding day. I had always believed that marriage was going to be a blessing, but I didn’t realize the depth of it until I experienced it first hand. I feel so blessed to call Joe my husband. He believes in me when no one else does. He teaches me how to forgive. He listens to my dreams. He consoles me when I cry. He laughs at my jokes. He loves me even when I’m not so lovable. And most importantly, he’s teaches me more about the Lord. Joe + I are quite different in the way that our minds work. I’m the artsy/emotion-driven/I-believe-in-Jesus-because-I-feel-His-presence kinda girl where Joe is a black+white/logical-thinking/I-believe-in-Jesus-because-I’ve-done-my-research kinda guy. God was just so spot on in bringing us together because our relationship has allowed us to see a more complete picture of who God is.

I happen to be in Wisconsin right now for business and sadly don’t get to be with Joe today. Yet there was something quite beautiful about waking up in the same place I was three years ago. At that time, I awoke with a smile on my face excited to be a bride. And today I woke up with a smile on my face happy that I am a wife. I sat in bed and just reflected on the past three years. I thought about how fast they have gone by. I thought about how much has changed since then. I thought about the relationships we’ve formed. The business we started. The house we’ve made a home. The dogs we’ve welcomed in. All of this, in just three years time. I can’t wait to see what happens next…

Hubby,

Thank you. Thank you for loving me the way that you do. Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me and continually pushing me to be better. Thank you for putting up with my crazy emotions and  for always attempting to understand me. Thank you for letting me be completely myself and not thinking I’m too weird, even when I do weird dances. Thank you for telling me I’m beautiful even when I haven’t taken a shower, brushed my hair or put any make up on. Thank you for being humble enough to say you’re sorry when necessary and not being afraid to say “I was wrong”. Thank you for choosing me. I am honored to call you my husband.

xoxo baby

Lastly, I wanted to end with the vows that we spoke three years ago today. May they remind us of the depth of the covenant that we took. Amen!

Stacy, I have chosen you as the one woman in all the world that I wish to share my life with. Today I give myself to you, and ask for your tomorrows. Embracing the laughter and the tears, the hardships and the triumphs; through sickness and in health, through plenty and in want, I will be there for you. I promise to give as well as receive, to listen as well as speak, to encourage and support, to love and respect, and to lead you and our family in the way of the Lord. I give you my trust, my friendship and my loyalty. With every beat of my heart, all the days of my life, I will love you. 

 Joe, I have chosen you as the one man in all the world that I wish to share my life with. Today I give myself to you, and ask for your tomorrows. Embracing the laughter and the tears, the hardships and the triumphs; through sickness and in health, through plenty and in want, I will be there for you. I promise to give as well as receive, to listen as well as speak, to encourage and support, to love and respect, and submit to your leadership as God has called me to. I give you my trust, my friendship and my loyalty. With every beat of my heart, all the days of my life, I will love you. 

Photos by Kacey Luvi

And if you’ve got 10+ minutes to kill, here is our wedding highlight video, courtesy of KMA video.