Thursday, August 18, 2011

A Rose is a Rose

The day I married Nate, I held a bouquet of roses. With new rings sparkling, smiles wide, and hearts filled with love - it was the best day of my life.



Dried and preserved in a fancy vase, my bouquet has traveled from Utah to Texas and then from Texas to Colorado. I love my bouquet.



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As I packed up my belongings for our in-the-process move from Colorado to Utah, I learned that my bouquet was too fragile to make the journey. With tears flowing from my eyes, I took a million photographs and then gently placed my bouquet (and wedding cake roses) into the garbage can.



Leaving Colorado was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It was tough to leave our many friends, our favorite places, and the amazing business we built. I miss my kitchen, my laundry room, my backyard, and my wedding bouquet.



But through all the heart-ache of change, I am beyond grateful to have Nate by my side. I am grateful for his calming smile, his supportive attitude, and his constant love. Roses may fade, die, and cripple - but Nate, he is real, and he is mine.



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"So it's not gonna be easy.

It's going to be really hard; we're gonna have to work at this everyday,

but I want to do that because I want you.

I want all of you, forever, everyday. You and me... everyday."



— Nicholas Sparks