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Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Opening up in marriage

Sometimes being married is hard. Not hard because marriage is a terribly difficult thing, but hard because you have to invest every ounce of yourself in it. Sometimes you have to open up and say things you really don't want to say to your spouse. Out of fear that you might hurt their feelings, fear that you'll expose a side of yourself they've never seen before, fear that by opening up you become really vulnerable to them. I hope that no one is in a marital situation where they would feel judged, because marriage is about two completely imperfect people coming together to make one thing amazing.

Sometimes it's easier to just sit back and think, "well, I can handle all my problems on my own and I don't need anyone's stinking help!" That's me, right there. I think I can just take on battling evil, keeping the house clean, work 40 hours a week, hit the gym, deal with family & friends, moving, cooking and trying to look nice for my spouse; all on my own. But I can't, and even though sometimes I try really, really hard to work out my issues on my own, I know it's always better when I tell my hubby what's going on. Because he can - no - he wants to help me get through my issues.

Today at church I was playing a game on my phone *gasps* and my hubby was trying to help me win it. Even then I thought, "I can win this stupid game on my own ..." I didn't.

I think, for me at least, it's really hard to see how much I need my spouse's help with everything. Sometimes it's hard, and sometimes I have to completely humble myself to dirt before I can work up the courage to say to him, "I need help ..." but when I do he's always there with a hug and non-judmental heart.

It's just another flaw I'm working on, but with time I'll get it right. Good thing I've got this handsome guy to help me with it. (Yeah look at those biceps!)

Chadsome

Any ideas, stories or suggestions on opening up to your SO?

Thursday, February 14, 2013

It's loooooooove

Happy Valentines Day!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

Whether you're with someone or with friends enjoy this day of chocolate, hugs, kisses, flowers and love. As for me, I'll be celebrating it solo on the couch with ice cream, while the hubs works all night long. Tomorrow we'll do something though.

Some of my most favorite pictures with my love.


First time he saw me in my wedding dress, he looks so happy:

1stlook

1stlook2

1stlook3

1stlook4

This is how I feel with him, pure bliss:

purebliss

Kisses:

helovesme

snow

dolphin

One of our first dates:

1stdate

Love:

11_BW

photo (3)

love

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Date Idea!

A few weeks ago I was feeling like Mr. Spencer was doing a lot for me, but I wasn't really giving anything in return. I decided to create a date that was focused 100% on him. It was super easy and cheap to put on, but we had a really great time. Here's the date.

  • Think of some things your SO enjoys. For me I came up with seven things that interest Mr. Spencer.


chad1




  • Write a sweet note explaining the date and what will take place.


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  • Plan an activity that corresponds with each interest you thought of.


This is what I did for Mr. Spencer:

1- Drinks, mixology:
Chad's always making great new non-alcoholic drinks. I decided to take him to Spark where we could try some of their amazing creations. We ordered habanero lime lemonade, simply citrus, passion fruit and desert pear lemonade. We also ordered herb fries as an appetizer.

2- Cooking:
Chad LOVES to cook but I saved this part for later in the date. After Spark we came home and ate dinner that I cooked for him. But knowing that he wanted in on the action I planned to let him cook deep fried Oreos for me. I'm glad I did because they were delish!

3- Music, piano:
Chad's an amazing pianist, and I can pound out chopsticks. For this part of the date we sat down and played a few SUPER EASY songs together. Then I picked out some songs I wanted him to play for me. It was great to see his enthusiasm for the piano, and just listen to him play.

4- Skiing:
This one was fun. We both put on a few pieces of our snow gear and sat down on the couch. There I pulled up some AMAZING freestyle skiing videos that were really fun to watch. You can one of them here.

5- Shooting:
It was too dark (and cold) to actually go out shooting. But that's nothing that a Wii shooting game can't fix.

6- Relaxation:
I let Chad get comfy and I put on some Enya and dimmed the lights. Then I gave him a nice long massage to loosen up all those tense skiing muscles

7- Your favorite:
This is NOT what you're thinking. It was his favorite movie, A Beautiful Mind.

It was overall a really fun date to plan and even more fun to do. Easy, cheap and fun! Plus your SO will think you're the best person in the entire world for thinking of them.

 

Monday, February 4, 2013

Her side of the story ...

It’s a love story – her side


I had come home from my mission totally ready to wed. I started going on lots of dates, think MILLIONS. With every type of guy God created. Some were fun, some were weird, some were boring, but none were “right.” My mom was prepping for her fall classes and I had the brilliant idea to look at her picture class roll to scope out some hotties. Nothing from her second class, her first class however was promising. I picked out one guy who was from California, brown hair, seemed legit. Then there was another guy, from Colorado, black hair and a gorgeous smile, seemed too good to be true. I tried to Facebook stalk him, which turned up nothing. First thought, “he must be married with kids!”

I decided to “drop by” my mom’s class on the first day and introduce myself. It was such a blur that I don’t remember seeing that stud from Colorado, but I did go talk to my friend Amanda F. about her up-coming wedding, told the class I was single and walked out.

I continued dating other guys.

A few weeks later I got an assignment from one of my classes to interview pre-med, bio students. Knowing that my mom pretty much only taught those kids I went to her class with a sign-up sheet. I explained the situation and asked for everyone to sign it. Done. Then I contacted the said individuals on the sign-up sheet. Enter the stud from Colorado.

I was getting tired and pushed for time so I emailed that stud to ask if he just wanted to do the interview online. He said that he preferred to do it in person, at 7:30 am!!! Ugh, that’s early. Everything inside of me wanted to ditch that interview but there was a little voice that told me to go and do it.

We met at Jamba Juice and I offered to buy him a Jamba in exchange for his time. I remembered thinking he was pretty dang cute. He also refused my Jamba offer saying, “I have a bagel.” Which he never did eat. I interviewed him and a few things stood out to me. “I won’t perform a legit surgery on my own until I’m 36.” “Saying I’m going to be a doctor is nice with the ladies.” We finished the interview and he was a gem and offered to walk me outside. He stood up and we talked and walked outside. We were in front of the Crab Tree where I worked at the time and I said thank you again and he told me he had to go finish a paper for my mom’s class. We went our separate ways and I kept thinking, “he is a stud.”

Sent him a follow-up text. He texted me back.
We texted back and forth for about a month and a half before our first date.

He texted me while I was sitting in sacrament meeting. “This is last minute but I was thinking of driving the alpine loop today, want to go?” I thought he would never ask! I was soooo ecstatic that it must have been the longest 3 hours of my entire life. I came home and got ready and literally waited, heart pounding for 45 minutes.

When he came and picked me up my first thoughts were: 1) OhMyGosh he is SUPER handsome. 2) What a cool car! 3) I can’t believe this is happening, finally.

The Alpine Loop was great, but being with him was better. He was funny, classy, open and intelligent. I wanted the loop to last all day. When he asked me out for a second date while dropping me off I couldn’t hold back how happy I was and I’m sure I had a ridiculous smile on my face.

Yes, yes, yes!

Date 2, 3, 4, 5 …

Text to my mom, “he is the BEST unofficial boyfriend EVER!”

One night in particular he asked if he could call me his “girlfriend” I have never been so happy in my entire life. We sat there in silence, cuddling. It felt so good and so right. I felt like I belonged with him and that we fit together so perfectly. Beside the fact that he was so incredibly handsome, I wanted to be with him all the time. He was all I could think about, all I could talk about, and all I wanted.

10 months later I became his wifey, forever.
And I couldn’t be happier.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

The men in my life

I have been so richly blessed to have amazing - no that doesn't even describe it - extraordinary men in my life.

Starting with the obvious:

My husband.
Chad M. Spencer is extraordinary in every single way.
I literally do not know where to begin.

  1. He is a worthy priesthood holder

  2. He has the hardest work ethic of anyone I know (tied with my dad)

  3. He is extremely loving towards me, even when I'm being a brat and don't deserve his love

  4. He has already accomplished so much at the age of 25, and he still has so much more he will do

  5. He lets me take long showers sacrificing hot water for himself

  6. He plays with me

  7. He is a great older brother, who is always looking out for his sibling's best interests29380_433693020023437_1109910409_n


My dad.
Thomas W. Nickell

  1. He is a worthy priesthood holder

  2. He taught me how to work hard and the value of a dollar

  3. He always fulfills his callings, work responsibilities with grace and accountability

  4. He has always made time to be apart of our family and do activities with me

  5. He let Chad marry me

  6. He treats my mom like gold

  7. He makes great engineer/dad jokes


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My little brother.
Elder Harrison T. Nickell

  1. He is the most hilarious person in this world

  2. He is a worthy priesthood holder

  3. He extremely loyal to his family and friends

  4. He makes up the best songs

  5. He also makes the best videos that will make you fall over with laughter

  6. He never gives up

  7. He has a big heart towards people and animals

  8. He has the most wise advice even from a 20 year oldHarry


My brother-in-law
Seth C. Spencer

  1. He is a worthy priesthood holder

  2. He has the brightest testimony in the world

  3. He is the strongest person you will ever meet

  4. Kicked cancer in the butt, TWICE

  5. He is super optimistic

  6. He makes great baklava

  7. You will never find a kinder, more determined young man


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My father-in-law
Todd M. Spencer

  1. He is very helpful around the house

  2. He is a worthy priesthood holder

  3. He has bees which make delicious honey

  4. He cares about his family more than himself

  5. He is very kind

  6. He loves his work

  7. He makes others feel welcome in any situation


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How lucky am I?

Monday, October 15, 2012

First Date

This weekend was really great with my Chadicous. No we didn't do anything crazy amazing. But there were some moments we had together that were priceless to me.


Friday was a stressful day for me. That husband of mine gave me a back massage and let me drift off to sleep early.

Saturday was a nightmare. That husband of mine picked me up from the ground where I sat crying and carried me over to the bed. Where he cuddled and kissed me. And asked about my feelings and really cared. That same night I was washing dishes when I heard music coming from our living room ... piano music. It was Chad playing the piano. I can't think of any better thing than listening to him play the piano. It was soothing. He let me pick out some songs for him to play. One of which was "Come What May" yes, from Moulin Rouge. Hearing him play it on the piano was even better than the movie. I had so much emotion tied to him playing that song. I felt, overwhelmed. It was a really intimate moment for me, one that he created without knowing. I felt connected to my husband and I wished he would just play that song all night with me sitting there staring at his hands gracefully moving over the keys.

Then he was my hero and played "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons. My heart literally soared the entire time he was playing it. He doesn't like Mumford, but he has no idea that him playing made my entire day. He then kissed me on the forehead. That wonderful hour of him playing is one of my fondest moments to date.

Sunday I made waffles for breakfast and we went to church. Afterward we drove the Alpine Loop. One year ago we drove the same Alpine Loop for our first date. How charming life is to be with him in the same car one year later with a ring on my finger. On our first date I didn't even think about if we would get married. All I knew was I wanted to be with him. And now I am. One year later from our first date, I'm his wife.

How lucky am I?



P.S. To see how Chad's interview went check out his med school update page.