promise rings&wedding bands.

Tonight, I watched you walk away once again.
The first time I saw you was December 18th, 2013. It was just a glimpse, but that's all it took for me to remember you. That face. The way you stood above all the rest with your tall demeanor. Tonight I had my chance, even my sister told me to go for it, but I sat back & watched you walk away once again... This was fully my choice & as my parents sat across from me, I explained to them as to why I wasn't going to approach you.

You see, I've carried with me everyday since I turned 15 years old, this beautifully cut diamond ring on my left hand. It's more than a ring to me, it a promise. A promise to me, a promise to my Daddy God, & a promise to my parents, to stay pure. Most importantly though, it's a promise to my {future} husband. As I was facing my parents tonight, a smile started enchanting my world, a smile I honestly haven't seen in a couple years. & as I began to tell my parents why I won't take this ring of my left hand & re-position it to my right hand, I told them that the right man will still approach me. This ring won't scare him off, it'll only capture his gaze even more. I walked away tonight feeling a bit defeated & let down, only because I saw you fade into the dusk once again. I had my chance, but it wasn't my chance to take. When it comes to moments like these, I stand firm on being the girl & allowing you to be the man. Allowing you to be the one to approach me & lead from the start of 'us.'

Tonight wasn't that moment & that's okay.

You see, I haven't been happier than I am right now, in years. I am content in the person I am & who I'm becoming. Any time I think about the future & the husband that will one day capture my world, I am content in knowing that it's all in God's timing. There is no need in rushing God, because in the end, He's always going to go at His own pace. He knows when we are suppose to meet. He knows why 'this boy' didn't approach me tonight. Believe it or not, God is everywhere & know everything.

Tonight & for the rest of my 'single' days, I shall wear this Promise Ring on my left hand & wear it proudly. Someday, somewhere, the right man will approach me & then I will exchange this ring with a wedding band.

Day by day...

I was given the most meaningful gift I've ever received, this past Christmas. It's a five year, day by day journal. My sister either hand wrote or wrote up the questions on her typewriter for every day. It has truly been that little spark of inspiration I've needed in my every day since January 1st. Here are a couple of my favorite questions captured so far....more to come within the next five years.

a trek through Christmas time.

{he has reached that age where he wants to be independent...He used to fall over when we'd put his backpack on his shoulders. Guess he's ready to take on the role of big brother in three months.}

{Pixel enjoying the beautifully decorated tree done by Nina.}

{Peeps 1st Christmas.}

{Ok, consider this...I'm not married, therefore I have no children, so Penelope is my puppy child. Therefore, I shall post a massive amount of photos of her. Enjoy for the sake of me. ;) }

{I do believe Peep enjoyed the ribbon more than the gifts. Good to know for next year.}

{Penelope inspecting all the goodies she got in her stocking on Christmas morning.}

{Despicable Me 2 & homemade popcorn. That was the stillest he's ever been....for twenty minutes.}

{Penelope resting from all that hard work she does as a pup.}

{One of Nina's gift to her was this giant bed...she basically gets lost in it, but nonetheless, she loves it & so do I.}

{This was captured in the middle of him saying the word..."YES!" one of his newest obsessions.}

{While in Starbucks, Liam is only your friend for as long as you'll allow him to have 'ka-ka'...then he's gone. Needless to say, Popi was his favorite.}

[Crazy bath time curls.}

{After bath time cuddles with my little man.}

--I probably say this in every blog post, but my life is incredibly blessed.
I have a nephew that runs up to me & grabs my hand every time he sees me, a pup that gives me endless kisses when I come home from work & a family that I know always has my back. These are only a few of the moments captured over the holiday season...most of them are just in my memory, but those are the best moments in my opinion. The ones where your sister-in-love grabs your hand & puts it on her stomach & you feel your niece or nephew kick for the first time, or the moments of helping your momma cook Christmas dinner in the kitchen or seeing that spark in your nephew's eye as he sees the Christmas tree light up. It's these moments that you can't really capture, you just remember.

I hope as you all go to sleep tonight...your life is blessed.

Grace.