Do you hear the faint ringing of wedding bells in the distance?

You guys know how I just love countdowns?  Well, in 24 days, I'm getting married.

Bizarrely enough, it does not feel like I have already done this twice.

It feels like I'm doing it for the first time.  It's kind of magical, actually.  

Yesterday I put together a ceremony script for our officiant (including the vows) and sent it to Jimmy for his approval.

He texted me, "Well, I can tell by the first paragraph that I'm going to lose it at the wedding.  I'm welling up in McAllister's."

Um, good.  Cause I'm going for sappy and sentimental because that is how being with him makes me feel.

Like, (and this is probably the most telling example of what my life is like that I will ever give), I ate too much, and I was uncomfortable, and then, like, 5 minutes later it was bed time (all of this happens regularly), and I was whining about how uncomfortably full I was on the way up the stairs.

We got into bed and he got all comfortable.  But I kept tossing and turning and adjusting and moving and being totally obnoxious (not on purpose - I could not help it!)  And instead of raising his head and saying "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WOMAN, GET IT TOGETHER AND GET STILL!" like most people probably would have done (and rightfully so), he gently placed his hand on my back and said in the kindest, gentlest, most loving voice, "Just try to think about something else, baby."

Which caused me to stop dead in my tracks and smile the biggest smile and just say a little "thank you" prayer for that man and drift off into a blissful, peaceful sleep.

Little things like that probably seem insignificant to the people around us, but it's in those small moments that I feel more loved than anyone has ever made me feel.  

It's in those moments when no one is around and it's not a special occasion, and I've been wearing the same pajama pants for two days, and I'm covered in spit up, and my hair is a rats nest, but he'd still rather hang out with me in the den of chaos that is our home than do pretty much anything else.  

It's in those moments where he is unjustly angry with me, and I can calmly and succinctly state my case and walk into the other room to fold towels or do dishes (because I clean when I'm upset).  He always truly listens and thinks about what I say, and when he comes to the conclusion that his anger is unjust, he is a true man and walks into the room where I am scrubbing squash out of a onesie and begins his apology with a hug and ends with sincere and heartfelt words addressing the situation.

It's in those moments where one of us is in an absolutely foul mood, so the other one has been picking up the slack with the kids and the house and all the little fabulous components of being an adult to the point of breaking, and the one in the foul mood suddenly sees that her/his rock is beginning to crack and that it's time to suck it up and tag in and let that person regroup....and always immediately does.  There is no turning on the other person or taking advantage of their support.  It's leaning on the other but knowing you have to allow them to lean back on you as well in order for everyone to stay upright.

It's in those moments where I see clear evidence of the fact that I live with a friend.  I live with someone who genuinely cares about me and my well being.  I live with someone who is invested in me and who dreams with me.  I live with someone who places importance on many of the same things as me but also allows me to have my differences without making it out like they are my faults.  We have different political views.  We disagree on the right approach to handle the children in some areas.  We disagree about whether or not black olives are delicious and spinach is disgusting.  We disagree about how watching football is the most entertaining thing to do on earth and how watching baseball is like watching paint dry.  

But, like true companions...true friends....we respect each other.  We can see past our differences and recognize that just because he wants to eat thin crust pizza instead of ordering deep dish like God intended, he isn't a bad person.

I'm making a lot of jokes, but the truth is, Jimmy and I are good for each other.  We're our own little quirky family, and it all works so, so well.  Our home is a beautiful place to live, and I am so grateful for every day I get to spend with all the wonderful people who make it a home.  

I sincerely look forward to becoming a wife for what feels like the first time and for what I know in my heart will be the last time.