And Just Like That...

...I'm a bride of four years.

Four years. Can you even believe that? How is it possible that I can remember our wedding with such clarity that I feel like it just happened, and yet I also kind of feel like this life of Shafferland has always been? One of life's great mysteries, I suppose.

I asked Ryan what his favorite moment was from that day, and he said the morning, when the two of us sneaked down to the beach to watch the sunrise, read Scripture, pray, exchange gifts, and wash each other's feet.

It really was a beautiful morning. {You can read the whole thing here.} I never had a desire to follow the tradition to not see my groom on the wedding day. I knew I needed to see him to stay calm. So we met up at the beach and spent a couple of hours down there alone, setting the tone for the day with peace and joy.

My favorite moment was all the first looks.

My own first look, in my hotel room, with my two bridesmaids and my niece looking on:

The moment when I finally felt like a bride.

And then I walked through the courtyard and into a gazebo and saw Ryan for the first time as a groom.

These two moments are so meaningful to me in ways I'm not sure I can even express.

The whole day was filled with beauty. The weather was stunning, our guests seemed to really enjoy themselves, the entire day was low-key and easy to enjoy, and the only hiccup was the failure of our sound equipment, which meant several of the songs we'd planned to have in the ceremony wouldn't play.

The day looked nothing like I always thought my wedding day would, and yet it was better than I ever could have dreamed.

We made promises that day - promises we couldn't really understand, because the future was a mystery. But we knew it was a future we wanted to take on together, and take it on, we have, for the past four years.

I loved that day. I loved every part of it. I loved it that I could enjoy and remember the moments. I loved the 4 million pictures. I loved the unknown guests on the beach who pulled up lawn chairs and became part of the day. I loved the beautiful little reception under the stars. I loved becoming a Shaffer. And I have loved the last four years of being one.

Ryan Shaffer, I love you. Thank you for choosing me, for loving me, and for making every day a beautiful adventure. Let's have the best season yet!