First Night in Vegas for Our Wedding Trip!
Today is our wedding anniversary; Matt and I have been married TWO YEARS!
In the past, I’ve briefly touched on how Matt and I met and got together, but because today is our anniversary, I thought I’d talk about our relationship a little and share some photos of us over the years with you guys 
Matt and I went on our first date on November 17, 2005 and we became boyfriend and girlfriend on November 20, 2005. It only took three days for us to hang out non-stop to realize that we both felt something that we had never felt before.
2005
Previously Matt had been in a somewhat serious on-and-off again relationship for a few years and I had just gotten out of a short, not serious, relationship. We both previously had a few serious relationships, a bunch of casual relationships, and we few awful ones, too. When we met, neither of us were looking to really meet someone and get into a serious relationship. He had just broken up with his previous girlfriend not too long before we met, and I had just broken up with a total jerk. We had declared to ourselves and our friends that we wanted to enjoy college, party, and have fun. Sometimes having fun in college means being unattached. But as cheesy as it is, the saying is really true: you find the person you’re looking for when you’re not looking.
Christmas 2005
After three months of dating, we knew we wanted to get engaged. Matt had planned on surprising me and getting me a ring and doing the whole proposal, but given the situation (3 months of dating and then getting engaged!) we decided to go another route. We broke the engagement news to Matt’s sister first, then I told my Mom, and then we told Matt’s parents and our friends. Everyone was pretty shocked. We got a lot of “are you sure?” and “you’re too young” from a lot of people. And I mean a lot. We couldn’t fault them–we had only just met and marriage is the most serious thing two people can do, aside from children. But we knew.
Acting Goofy (Like We Usually Do)
We bought my engagement ring together–I picked out a princess cut ring with three diamonds in the setting and 6 diamonds on the band. We chose a beautiful ring that was not too expensive but just right. And then just a week or so later, Matt moved out of the dorms, I moved out of my parent’s house, and we got our first apartment together. We merged our bank accounts and settled in.
Yosemite 2007
Looking back, we both kind of say “what were we thinking?!” because merging your bank accounts is serious. More serious than a ring. But we wouldn’t do it any differently because it changed us and made us the strong, passionate, and close couple that we are today.
Shopping Trip
Moving in together made us get our acts together–set goals for our near and far futures–and grow up. After being engaged for almost 3 years, I decided I wanted to make it official. We were planning our marriage to take place after Matt graduated from college but I got impatient out of nowhere, stamped my feet, and said I couldn’t wait. Matt, being the easy-going and laid back guy that he is, said that was fine with him. So we planned our wedding and finally tied the knot.
We already lived together for a few years before we got married so there weren’t any post-marriage surprises. We weren’t saving ourselves so again, no surprises 
But the feeling of being officially married was (and is) so amazing. It’s just a piece of paper but somehow it feels like so much more.
Matt's College Graduation
Over the years, Matt has made me a better person. I have become more patient, I have a better attitude, I have discovered that I am capable of more than I thought, I have realized I am stubborn, and he has taught me how to relax and enjoy life.
College!
I have found out that real love is much more than butterflies in your stomach. It is patience when I’m being a butt, carrying things for me when I don’t want to, listening to me tell the same story over and over, watching the movies I like, discovering new things together, feeling like I am safe no matter what, knowing that he always has my back, not feeling self-conscious in front of him, having him always have my best interest at heart, holding my hair when I am sick, giving me sponge baths when I had surgery, putting up with my attitude and all my begging for things I maybe don’t need, and always being there for me–emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually–no matter what. Love goes beyond material gifts and physical attraction, and ours knows has no limitations.
Starbucks Date
We are excited to plan our future, happy to look back at our past, and content in enjoying our present. Not everyday is easy and we have had our fair share of disagreements, but he never lets us go to bed mad and we always come together, stronger and happier. I never thought that I would have this type of relationship but I really love him more and more each day and, through it all, I feel beyond lucky to be married to Matt.
Olive Garden Date
Happy Anniversary to us! I love you Matt Stidham!
On Our Wedding Night
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...