Bon Voyage, Emaleigh!

I recently found out that my bestie, Emaleigh, will be moving from Athens, TN (45 minutes from Knoxville) to Denver, Colorado (1,335 miles away or 19.5 hours from Knoxville). What a CHANGE! Her husband has been given an amazing opportunity for a job, so I know they have to take this as a gift from God!

I'll admit-I'm not completely SHOCKED. They visited some friends there a few months ago and LOVED it. I guess I just didn't think it would be so soon! I've known Emaleigh since middle school. We've been through it all! She's an amazing friend and I love her so much!

We cheered together in middle school and high school. She attended a small private college in Athens, TN while I attended MTSU and later UT, but that didn't stop us from seeing each other. We visited each other regularly throughout college. We both got married and have big girl jobs now. It is INSANE to think that we literally have grown up together! We've been through so much, and if you look at our childhood pics to compare, we kind of look alike!

Emaleigh is a first grade teacher. She has her Master's Degree and is currently working on another certification or degree (I THINK). The girl is an AMAZING teacher! She loves kiddos and loves life. She even got the highest score that a teacher can earn on her most recent teaching evaluation! She's a wife, sister, and a daughter; I know her family will DEEPLY miss her. She's an aunt and loves on her family every chance that she gets. She is one of the most kind-hearted people that I've ever met. Emaleigh is one of a kind and I know that she is going to bless every person she meets in Colorado.

I know friends come and go in life, but I know that no matter where we live, we'll always be besties! I love this girl with my whole heart, and her being so far away just means more facetime-ing and a necessary ski trip soon! So here's to you, Emaleigh Rebekah Reagan, let's cherish all the time we have together while we're so close on the map. I know that once you move, we'll still be besties, because God blessed me with our friendship at such a young age and it has grown into a beautiful relationship. You're going to do big things, no matter where you are on the map! Love you, Em!

Here are a few pics of us for all of you blog stalkers to enjoy. :)

Sophomore or junior year of high school

Senior year of high school

After high school graduation

Dinner during college

Skatetown field trip!

During college

Em's Bachelorette party

My Bachelorette party

Wedding stuff

Love her laugh!

Besties

Color Run 2013

Marriage-always learning and always loving.

I've been married for a little over a year. My husband, Brandon, is a great guy. Here's a few pics from our wedding. (Because what girl ISN'T obsessed with her own wedding photos?!)

I won't bore you with any more of those photos....at least in this post. :)

Here's a more recent pic of us from our trip for our anniversary at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.

Last week, Brandon had to go out of town for a big job in North Carolina. He decided to put me in charge of a few things while he was out. I carried the company checkbook, I ran checks to the bank, I paid people, and I even dropped off some truck parts at the repair shop. Did I mention that I lost a key to the storage building and had to go buy a new lock?  Thank goodness for a father-in-law that could come to the rescue!

I knew I would miss my man-but I thought, "He'll be back by the end of the week...no biggie!"  Keep in mind, when we were in college, we did the long distance relationship thing a few times. Y'all, I missed him SO much!  I usually cook dinner every night-I love to cook. Not only do I like to cook because it is fun, but I love the feeling of having your family gathered at the table and sharing the details of each others' days together.  While he was away, I had friends over and cooked THEM dinner!  It was fun, but just wasn't the same as cooking for my man. 

I had to get up before the rooster crowed just to make sure his employees got out on time.  I made the employees some muffins for breakfast one morning too. I've obviously taken for granted how hard he works on a daily basis. I mean, the guy goes to work around 6am and sometimes doesn't get home until after dark!  (He's currently still working as I type!)  I got to live partially in the bossman's shoes for a week-it wasn't easy!  And I guarantee he deals with a lot more than I faced last week!

I wanted to boast about him because I am so proud of him. God gave me this amazing relationship with an awesome man that I sometimes take for granted. I'm starting a Bible study for wives next week. I've already started our first session-my main lesson so far?  A few questions that I had to face the answers to:

What would you like your husband to say about you after many years of marriage together?

What is important to you?  What does your husband perceive as most important to you?

Whoa.  This was like a slap in the face, my friends.  Why?  I'll tell you why. I used to think, "If I look like the perfect wife and act like the perfect wife, I'll be close enough to being the perfect wife and things will be peachy."  There is no such thing as a perfect wife. We're all humans-we make mistakes!  We all sin!  Recently, I've been obsessed with exercising. I love it-I love the endorphins, I love feeling good, and as a bonus, I look pretty darn good!  The problem?  I was starting to drop time I could spend with the hubs for working out. That being said, I don't mean you should never workout and ONLY spend time with your spouse 24/7. Not at all. Every gal needs girl time and their own time. But balance is key. I lost sight of that a little. Just like the house doesn't have to always be spotless. Forget about vacuuming for the night and just spend some snuggle time with your man and the pooches.  Who cares if you have a few dishes to clean or some laundry to put up?  Show your man your appreciation by supporting him. Encourage him. Tell him how proud you are of him. And always, love him. 

"His mouth is full of sweetness

And he is wholly desirable.

This is my beloved and this is my friend."

Song of Solomon 5:16

Brandon is my best friend and I love doing life with him-for better or worse, for richer or poorer, and in sickness and health. Till death do us part. 

I could write so much more, but I'll stop here for now. I cannot wait to learn with some wonderful other women about how to become a more godly wife. Ladies, if anyone wants to join our Bible study and you're married or engaged, holler at your girl!

Here's one more for the road!  What can I say?  I love my man!