day 365.

we might not be stefan and elena...

or fitzwilliam darcy and elizabeth bennett...

we're surely not gilbert and anne...

and especially not edward and bella.

no. we are more than that.
we are ted and lauren.

love isn't only about the kisses that knock the wind out of you.
it's the simple things that build....and build...and build.
the things that make forever feel like not long enough.

if i learned anything these 365 days of marriage, it's this:

{always hold hands...it never gets old to be connected to the one you love}

{always say "i love you" at least once every day}

{put the other person first. be concerned about their needs}

{pray together. i don't care what religion you are. sharing a moment together, while speaking to a higher power, brings you so much closer spiritually}

{never take a thoughtful gesture for granted}

{laughter together is beautiful}

all of these things have made this first year together, the best year of my life.

i can still remember the feeling i had as we stepped out of the temple together, as husband and wife. it was pure joy. it was gratitude. it was pride. he was mine. he is mine.


i can remember that feeling, because that feeling never went away.

that feeling never has to go away. you just gotta work at it.
marriage takes work. love takes work. it can be hard.
but it is so worth it.

ted, i love you.
it was never a hard decision to marry you.
you were always the one for me.
it's comfortable together.
it's right together.
and no, we aren't "bella and edward"...
we are better.

happy anniversary ♥

PS. run over here for my mom's awesome post.