This Time Last Year

I went to a bridal shower a few days ago at work. It took me back. One year ago on that same day, it was my shower they were throwing. I was embarrassed with all the attention on me. They had cupcakes because I love them, and they decorated the table with sweet wrapping paper, which I’ve decided is an incredible idea. They wrote to me all the advice they had, and I tried to remember it.

I looked at the soon-to-be bride, and I thought about what she might be feeling, both excited and super nervous and really just not knowing what to expect as far as the marriage thing goes…

If it were last year, that night I would have been making an offer on our first condo – Tyler by my side. Later on, my family would have arrived in town from all over the state; they’d have pizza and talk to me about the wedding plans and all. I won’t sleep. Because the next day, I am doing something I’ve been working towards and praying about for a really long time. The next day is the day I go through the temple for the first time. Going to the temple is a very big step in life as a Mormon and a very big deal for me.


The day was incredible. It was that day that I realized more than ever that God loves me and that I am in love with someone who is in love with me. And he held my hand and looked at me and smiled at exactly the right moments.

This time last year was the most incredible, overwhelming, terrifying, happy time of my life. I wonder if the bride-to-be is feeling the same way? I bet she is. I would tell her that after all of the extravaganza is over, life is still good. Better than she could ever think. Even though she will soon have the title of “wife” and he “husband,” they will still laugh together. They will still play cards and go to dinner and hold hands. It’s better than she could ever imagine.