Snapshots of Myrtle Beach, SC

This was pretty much our view the entire time we were in South Carolina. It was a very soggy, dreary week. But as I stated a couple posts ago, it was really nice to get away from the city and be by the ocean. I think we would definitely go back to Myrtle Beach - most likely when it's a bit warmer, and more sunny. 

Weekend Getaway: Skytop Lodge

We spent a nice weekend away in the Pocono mountains for our one year anniversary. It felt good to get away and just be. Here a few photo highlights from our trip.

 
▲We stayed in a beautiful historic hotel. Literally half mile before we turned on to the property, it began snowing, and it stuck. It snowed on and off for the duration of the weekend with crazy wind gusts and windchills bringing temperatures down into the negatives. We braved the cold to get a look around the property and snap some photos. It was so worth it!▲


▲ Every area of the property was decorated for the Christmas season. They had several trees spread throughout the lobby area, wreaths hanging on every single room door, and a full-size gingerbread house made of real gingerbread and candies. That place smelled divine. ▲
▲ Temperatures elevated above freezing the day we were set to leave, so we took a little hike out to Leavitt Falls. It was there where I discovered my fear of heights is really real and not just a figment-of-the-sitting-in-the-3rd-mezzanine-of-the-opera house imagination. I'm glad I sucked up my fear of high, rocky places however, because I would have missed seeing the falls which was literally around the corner from where I wanted to stop. ▲

One Year Married

As we approached November, I could not believe how quickly this year progressed. Wow! And here it is, November 24th, one full year since my sweet Beau and I said committed our lives to each other before our family and friends. It has been one crazy year. Many bloggers  post about how sweet and incredibly amazing their first year of marriage has been. I have to be honest and say that it has definitely been a long ways from crying the day we came back from our honeymoon. (It wasn't anything bad. haha. It was just a complete shock to my system... I suppose.)

I can boast about our first year being rather sweet and amazing, too, though. This was such a growing process for myself (and Beau, I'm sure). I learned so many great things about Beau that I never knew while dating or engaged. Like, how he would have been a Philosophy/English major in college had he not pursued a degree in architecture. I have also learned how one of his deciding factors in marrying me was the fact that I made "bangin' ackee and saltfish"- a traditional Jamaican dish. But on a more serious note, I learned how hard-working he is and how committed he is to making me happy. I have also learned how incredibly calm and placid he is. I think that is my favorite trait about him, to date, although it drove me nuts in the beginning. Most of all, I loved that he loves me HARD. That is something that I have been lacking in my life. It was something I needed. I never really asked of it from him, but he gave it to me, full and big. This has been the most rewarding part of our marriage for me. Someone who loves me wholeheartedly, even in the midst of my complaining and less-than lovable times.  

This year has truly been amazing. We faced some difficult times, but through those times, we were able to see the hand of God working out those tough situations for us.

I am so incredibly happy I get to share life with my sweet Ansel. I look forward to many more years of learning, growing and loving with him!