family | Sam from Amsterdam

It’s been a couple weeks now since we’ve been back from our wedding and honeymoon, but I can’t help looking at the pictures every day. I used to make fun of the people who’d say the cheesy line, “my wedding day was the best day of my life,” but I know understand it. Our wedding was beyond perfect.

I made a point in not being materialistic about our wedding, but also didn’t like the idea of not having my family there and to elope. Charlie unselfishly proposed to have the wedding in holland, so my family could be there, since we live here in Alabama.

My family made our wedding day spectacular, they spent months planning and making speeches. I have never understood making a big fuss out of the materialistic things that come with weddings, since the only thing that matters is the promise of spending your life together with your new spouse, not the knife set you registered for, or the flower arrangements on the tables.

To walk down the isle to Charlie was definitely one of the most memorable and happiest moments of my life. To see my family standing there smiling at me, in a room my mom and sister had so carefully decorated, while holding my dads arm, walking towards the man whom I’ll be spending the rest of my life with, was simply magical. And my dad performing the ceremony was the cherry on top.

The whole day was just full of fun, love and laughter. From the speeches that brought us to tears, to the kids dancing to Charlie and his dad’s music. I couldn’t have wished for a more special day, and I feel so blessed to have people who made all that happen for us, without us having a hand in it.

I can’t thank my family enough for making this day so memorable.

support.. Everyone needs it, but can be tough to get sometimes, since Everyone has their own opinions and ideas. There’s so many reads about being a strong independent person. I believe that only makes you happy to an extent. I’m not saying not to be independent, but it’s nice to have someone that is proud of you and talks with praise about the things you do. Any new project I take on, I know that I can rely on the support of my family, my best friends and Charlie. For example, training for a marathon can be brutal for the people who are around the runner. The constant tiredness, and planning everything around it. Charlie doesn’t get running, he said he’d only run that far if his car broke down. But still he’s there for me and rubs my feet after a long run and makes me a nice dinner. For my first marathon I worked full time, so we’d only get some “date” time on the weekends. Sometimes I’d have a bad run, and just wanted to lay down and go to sleep. He never complained once, and was more than happy to get some take out and eat in bed. Just like my parents who came to florida for a relaxing vacation, but rode their bike for 17 miles with me, from which their butts hurt for days!

This goes for everything! Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can just do everything alone, I’m sure you can, but you don’t want to, believe me.

For example now that I’ve started to get into this yoga thing, Charlie’s got my back on that too. I get so excited when I get better at a new pose, that of course I want to share that.

Even doing little projects around the house. Of course I do it for me too, but it’s nice when I finish a craft or something that he’s excited about it too.

The point is that honestly, Charlie could care less about crafts, or marathons, or yoga, and I’m sure many more interests of mine. But he’s always extremely supportive. It’s the best feeling to be able to share every aspect of your life with someone. I feel so lucky!

I know me and Charlie have been together for only 4 years, so I’m not gonna preach about how your relationship should be. I just want you to be sure that you’re with someone who supports you. Someone who asks you how your day was at work, someone who is proud when you get a bonus or a raise, someone who will be there for you no matter what! Not to sound cheesy, but material things really don’t mean anything. If someone tries to constantly give you expensive gifts, it’s a distraction from what they’re lacking. How much someone cares for you shows in their actions!