Wedding, Honeymoon and the Big Move

The wedding week finally came! What a crazy mix of emotions: Sick to my stomach to think about leaving my sweet family and friends, not knowing when I'll see them again. But also excited beyond belief to marry and start a new, exciting, unknown life with the one person who makes me the happiest I've ever been.

However, when the morning came, all my nerves vanished! Everyone kept saying "Liz, I cant believe how calm you are.". I only started feeling crazy excited and nervous right before I walked down the isle.I couldn't WAIT.

 Here are some photos my talented brother in-law who photographed our special day. 

                 

And then the hard part. Saying goodbye. These make my heart pang when I look at them.

It was a completely perfect day. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing in the world. I had my family and my a few close friends there to witness Jamie and I marrying. All the people I love most in the same place! What could be better?!

A few days later, Jamie and I headed off in a jet plane to an unknown (to me) honeymoon destination  Jamie organized and planned the entire trip. 53 hour of traveling before we checked in to our Hilton Resort on the Island of Phuket, Thailand. Ummmm...."wow" is an understatement! He did such an amazing job!! It was honestly and truly paradise! 

9 long days of of relaxing in pools, swimming in the ocean, canoeing through ocean caves, elephant riding, sleeping in, eating amazing foods, exploring local towns and fully enjoying our time away from everything and everyone we knew.

Pretty soon it was time to head back to Brisbane, our home, as a married couple. WEIRD!

                                           Here I am, with all that I packed up and took with me.

My new home!

      

                                                        Our first piece of "official" mail :D

Much love! -Elizabeth

What Brought Me Here: Part II

When I left Australia in 2010, I never expected to see Jamie again. Or to stay in such close contact with him. But that's exactly what happened. Over the next two years, Jamie and I chatted every few weeks. Like i stated in an earlier post, dating this amazing man was completely out of the question for me, having been in a long distance relationship previously.

Its amazing what two years, many challenges, hardships, trials, kindness, support and love can do to change someone. When Jamie and I started talking more towards the end of 2011 and then almost every day at the beginning of 2012, I still had no idea he was interested in me. Call me " Lizzy the Clueless". I've never been fast that way.

Anyway.

By March of 2013 we were texting or talking on the phone every day. On my 21st birthday, Jamie asked me to be his girlfriend. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. He blew me out of the water!

March 26, 2012

Jamie was able to fly over to the US a few short months after we began dating. July was there before we knew it. He stayed for 6 weeks and we had a blast getting to know each other as "boyfriend and girlfriend". I realized how very much we'd both changed in the past two years. We spent a lot of time with my family, giving Jamie, and them, a chance to get to know each other. We spent a week in our favorite little town, South Haven, right on Lake Michigan, we took a few road trips to St. Louis and Kentucky to see my sisters. With the exception of this year, last summer was the best one of my life. Falling in love is one of the most amazing things ever! :D Here are some photos of our summer together.

We were also maid of honor and best man in Douglas and Magdalen's (our older siblings) wedding.

                                           And then.....we had to say goodbye. Again!

I left Australia, again, but this time for the last time. We decided the wedding would be on June 1st. The following months were full of planning and organizing, working long hours, especially for Jamie, and trying our best to talk every day. Which proves to be very difficult with a 14 hour time difference and totally unpredictable internet reception. But I will say, "THANK THE GOOD LORD IN HEAVEN FOR IPHONES AND SKYPE AND THE LAMEST MOST AMAZING APP, VIBER!".  

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