Sweeter With Time

Nearly three and a half years ago, I started dating this really great guy, and at the time, I thought I was in love.  We knew each other as well as really close friends who've really only met over the internet can... and we are both very good communicators with writing, so we knew each other pretty well.  Saying yes to his "will you be my girlfriend?" letter started of a whirlwind adventure that has challenged us, changed us and brought us closer together than 19 year old me could ever have thought was possible.

We were in love then, most definitely.  It was a new love, an exciting time of butterflies and caterpillars and staying up until 1 in the morning just talking and talking and texting each other constantly and the thrill of uncharted waters.  We learned so much about each other in that first year and with each visit navigated through relationship landmarks and grew more and more comfortable with each other.

As time has gone on, we've fallen deeper in love with each visit.  We've fallen more in love with ever day.  With every celebration, with every little thing that makes us go "Gosh, I love you".   With every argument, with every tear filled night of trying to fall asleep while we're hurting.  We were in love before, but as we've grown... something has changed, as recently as just a few months ago.  

We're not in that honeymoon stage of love anymore, or of our relationship.  As we've grown and matured, our love for each other has too.  Being together is the most natural, most comfortable thing in the world.  When we're together, we don't feel like two separate people in a relationship, we feel like one unit and there is a deep sense of comfort and knowing that we just belong together.  It's as if no time has passed since we said good-bye and we are a whole person.  

Wine gets sweeter and stronger as it ages, and love is the same way.  We may have more bad days now than when we first did at the start of our relationship, but that's okay because we've learned and are learning how to get through them, and we know that if we just sit tight and wait it out, there are so many more good days on the other side.

He's the perfect man for me, I can't imagine anyone who could compliment me or challenge me or complete me better than he does.  And I know that our journey together is still very much in the early stages, but this year we've moved on to that next place in our lives together.   It's so beautiful to look back over the years and see the ways in which we've shaped each other and how we've come so close. I don't know how we could possibly love each other more, but if our time together has taught me one thing, it's that we can. 

Mein Liebster

Dear Iris over at The Starving Inspired nominated me for the Liebster Award!  I forget exactly what this award is, but I know it means that you have to answer questions given to you by your nominator, and then nominate people and ask them questions.  So here it goes!

1. What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Hmm, this is a really tough one.... one piece of advice that stands out at me is a bit of relationship advice that I got from a dear friend, that can really be applied to any relationship you have.  When someone is really down, or upset, having a bad day, and they aren't ready to talk about it, it's okay to step back and let them have their space.  Let them know from time to time that you're there when they are ready. 

2. What was the best book you read in 2014?

Ooh... that's another good question.  I think I'm going to have to go with What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.  Allegient (of the Divergent trilogy) was awesome, but just too frustrating and sad.  What Alice Forgot was a brilliant piece of writing and an incredibly engaging story.  

3. What is your first memory of being really happy/excited about something?

Is it weird to say that I can't remember my first memory?  Hmm.  I remember when Sister T was born... but all I remember of that was getting orange juice from the cafeteria. So that doesn't really count.  I have vague memories of being really excited to get the new Beanie babies when they came out... I collected a ton of those, haha.  It's all bits and pieces but nothing that stands out from a very early age.  

4. If you could walk into a book and make a permanent home there, what would it be? It doesn't necessarily have to exist in the real world.

How can I choose just one place????  Well, I think I would like to live in Pride and Prejudice, somewhere close to Pemberly.  Or even just at Pemberly. And then I'm going to cheat a little on this question and say that I would like a vacation home in Rohan, and before marrying and settling down at Pemberly, I'd like to live in 221B Baker Street with a good friend of mine who is much prettier than I am ;-) And we'd plan celebrations and stuff to celebrate Sherlock Holmes exploits and triumphs. 

5. What is a food you have read about but never eaten that you have since wanted to try? This one doesn't have to necessarily exist in the real world either.

Pretty much anything that is described in the Redwall books.  There was one plum dessert that was always particularly tantalizing... gosh, that guy had a magnificent and tormenting knack for describing food.

6. What do you love most about your life?

My family.  We don't always get along, but I love being part of a big family.  People look at me cross-eyed when I say I'm the oldest of seven kids and make remarks along the lines of "Wow, glad that's not me!" but it is so much fun, and I honestly feel a little sad for people who don't have large families that all get along and have a great time together.  It's very rare that someone in the house isn't laughing and you're never without someone to text or call over and be like "OH MY GOSH DID YOU HEAR/SEE THIS/GUESS WHAT!"

7. The Doctor has invited you to travel with him in the TARDIS. The whole of time and space is available to you. Where would you go, and why?

Oh my... hmm.  I think I'd like to go back to the Civil War and visit the Confederates, in particular Robert E. Lee. He's always been one of my heroes and I would just love to sit down and just talk for a few hours.  And then after that I'd beg the Doctor to let me visit Tolkien as well, and spy in on a meeting of the Inklings.  Now that would be amazing.

8. Of all the wild species of birds and animals you have yet to see, which one  would you like to encounter? As in, not in a zoo.

Hmm... as slightly terrified as I think I might be, I'd love to come across a wolf.  They are such elegant, beautiful animals and the howls of a wolf are a pretty incredible sound, in a spine chilling way.  I can only imagine what it'd be like to hear it out in the wild.

9. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

Traditionally we go to mass in the morning, breakfast with one side of the family and then dinner with the other side.  I can't recall which side is which this time.

10. Make up a question and answer it. 

My made up question: If you had a sitcom based on your life, what would it be called? Sunny with a Chance of Mood Swings.  Honestly, that's the first thing I came up with.... I kinda like it though.  I want Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone to co-star in it with me, with guest appearances by Mindy Kaling.

And I now nominate:

Megan at Be Brave

Rebecca at God's Little Princess

Teresa at *Insert Something Clever*

Victoria at The Kitchen Sink

Jansina at Thilly Little Nothings

Katherine at Revisiting Brideshead 

As for your questions... *drumroll*

1. If you had a sitcombased on your life, what would it be called?

2. What food is on the top of your list of things you will never, ever, in a million years eat, and why?

3. It's your wedding and your maid-of-honor got appendicitis at the last minute and can't fill in.  Who would you pick to replace her?  (Does not have to be a real person)

4. A fairy pops up and says that you will be cursed to live in a musical for the rest of your life.  She's nice though, and allows you to choose which musical.  What one would you pick?

5. If you go trick-or-treating/go to a Halloween party this year, who are you going to dress up as?

6. You're at a concert, and your favorite singer ever pulls you up on stage for a duet. What concert are you at and what song do you sing?

7. What currently running TV show would you love to be a guest star in? What would your character be?

8. What was your favorite song to sing/listen to when you were little? (as in, younger than 10)

9. What is the homeschooling stereotype that you hate the most?

10. Where do you like to sing more, in the shower or driving in the car?

We're In A Library!

I was wearing my Amy Pond inspired outfit, and I was in a library.  I know, I know, two different seasons... but how could I resist?

This is my "You want weapons? We're in a library! Books are the best weapon in the world!" pose

Sweater: Khols

Jeans: Khols

Boots: Payless Shoe Source

Earrings: Claire's

Necklace: My lovely friend Elizabeth! (Borrowing it from Sister R)

I had the idea for this photoshoot while I was driving into school yesterday morning, so I quickly texted my sister back at home to bring my camera with her when she came in for her classes.  We meet up in the mornings to work out or do homework together, so I very handily had a photographer.  The school library is a little small, but it has some nice nooks and corners where no one really goes, so it was perfect for shooting without disrupting anyone!

We call this the Amy Pond sweater, since it looks very much like the one she wore in Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.  And I just so happen to have red hair, which makes it even better!  The TARDIS necklace was a perfect addition, and then I decided to wear my hair up so it was more of an Amy Pond inspired outfit, rather than walking around school in an Amy Pond cosplay.  One of my classmates did pick up on the fandom nod... she took one look at me and gave an excited "I KNEW you were a Doctor Who fan!"  Haha, it was kind of awesome.

As for what books I'm holding?  I think one was a very old book about tea, or teapots, I'm not entirely sure, and the other was an extremely thick biography of some philosopher.  Many thanks to the books for participating in my fashion shoot!

And it's Finally Friday

1. I've been having a real difficulty in focusing on homework this semester.  It didn't help that for the first four weeks I only ended up having one day of classes instead of the scheduled two days of classes per week... it didn't feel like I was in school.  Now that I'm getting used to two days of classes, I must be adjusting to having four classes instead of the two or three I had the last two semesters.  Then I was in "Work, and then school on the side" and that worked out well.  Now I'm in the position of "work and school both at the same time OH and get ready to add on a second job in a few weeks!" and instead of working hard at balancing both, I procrastinate until I realize that, oh shoot, it's Sunday night again and nothing is done.

2. So I really should be working on a menu or reading a few chapters about Hospitality instead of blogging.  And I will.  I just needed a moment to... procrastinate with a home brewed chai tea latte and my caramel pumpkin swirl candle.

3. Catholicism and film/literary character connections have been popping up this week!  Laura from Catholic Cravings wrote this beautiful comparison of Eowyn and St. Therese and made me look at two of my favorite girls in a way I never had before. Then from Jack & Bobby, we have an inspiring look at the Catholicity of Captain America.  Cap is my favorite Avenger, and this post made me giggle in glee.

4. I'm super psyched for the release of the new Piano Guy's album Wonders... coming out in just a few more days!  And I got in my inbox today a special offer to pre-order an AUTOGRAPHED EDITION OF THE CD.  My siblings talked me into getting one that will say "The Dominick Kids", but I am sorely tempted to buy another one with just my name on it.  I really am...

5.  I mentioned last week on Friday that I was headed off to St. Louis for my cousin's bachelorette party (my first ever!)  It was a lot of fun, and we had a great time.  St. Louis is such a neat city, and I absolutely love Ballpark Village.  We went to Howl at the Moon (SO COOL YOU MUST GO TO ONE SOMEDAY), and tried to get into PBR (country bar) next door but couldn't because the Eli Young band was playing there!!!!!  Guys, I was right next door to Eli Young and I walked past their trailer.  Almost as good as actually getting to see them.

6.  I'm not becoming a caterer.  Or at least, I'm not going to be the person who comes up with the menu.  I suppose when you're actually making the food and you know the cost and time it's easier to price things but I'm terrible at estimating costs and there are seriously no catering menus online with the level of quality that I'm looking for that actually has their prices listed so I can get a better idea.  #hospitalitystudentproblems.

7. EIGHT DAYS UNTIL MY KNIGHT GETS HERE GUYS I AM SO EXCITED.

8. I've discovered recently that I have a knack for mixing and blending spices and dressings.  Nothing too crazy or adventurous, but I enjoy coming up with new combinations for grilled chicken marinades and seasonings for our Friday salmon fillets.  My favorite so far has been my ranch dressing/Parmesan cheese/Summer Shandy marinade for grilled chicken (sprinkle a little lemon pepper on the chicken breasts before grilling).  Today I experimented with a ginger/lemon pepper rub and coconut crusted salmon.  A bit spicy, but the sweetness of the coconut balanced it out nicely.


Have a happy Friday! <3

Today, I...

Today, I had the day off.  I didn't do much in the way of homework (read, nothing, except the menu I'm sort of reviewing now), but that's okay, because was doing other things.  Like life.

Today, I re-payed my sister for borrowing her camera when I traveled East for my Knight's graduation by taking her out to lunch.  We went to Chipotle and it was amazing, as usual.

Today, I stopped by Barnes and Noble afterwards with her and ended up buying two new books because I can't go into a bookstore without getting something.  I got Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling, and If I Stay by Gail Forman.

Today, I went to my guitar lesson, and felt like I am actually starting to accomplish something and get somewhere.

Today, I realized how glad I am to be Catholic, and how deeply I treasure my faith.  I thought about how people leave the faith, and how incomprehensible that is to me.  I can't imagine not praying the Rosary, I can't imagine not having the Saints to turn to and ask favors of. I can't imagine not looking at the Eucharist and not just believing, but knowing, that Christ is there.

Today, I had a friend over and got to use the beautiful tea set that I received for my birthday for the very first time. It was so nice to catch up, relax for a little bit and talk about what's going on in our lives.

Tonight, I am enjoying the quiet and the occasional soft patter of the rain outside.  I have a Hazelnut Latte candle lit on the table beside me, because I recently got over my fear of matches and got in touch with my inner pyromaniac and now light candles all the time.

Tonight, I am thinking of working on a menu I am planning for my catering class.  Except planning menus makes me hungry, and we don't have anything good to snack on.

Tonight, I am contemplating starting the Gilmore Girls, a show I have heard much about, and never watched, and that is now so conveniently on Netflix.

Today, and tonight, have been a good day.