This Season

My roommates used to make fun of me all the time. Not only because I'm a complete and utter goober, but because in every second of free time I have, it seems like I look back at old pictures. I know it seems really lame, but I'll tell you why I'm so caught up in these images. I'm known among my friends and family for taking lots of pictures because I seriously adore capturing moments, and not even moments, but also seasons of life.

See, I've always sectioned parts of my life off into seasons. For example, there was the season where I had to get my heart fixed. There was the season where I graduated high school and missed dancing. There were many seasons throughout my undergraduate career at Virginia Tech that revolved around concerts, visiting friends, and spending time with students. When I look back at pictures taken, I swear I can feel those seasons again. I feel the air, smell the smells, remember the food I ate, the friends I hung out with, the clothes I wore, and what music was on repeat. 

This past year and 4 months has been the season that we have been engaged. Although that's my favorite part about this season, so many other things have happened. Lately, I feel like I've looked at this season negatively, simply because of the desire to be married and the lack of time to breathe. Yet somehow I know, it's probably been the most beautiful season yet. So in this post (don't make fun of me roomies) I'm going to go through some of the pictures from this past season of life and pull out some of my favorite moments. 

1. Lindsay's bachelorette party

In March, I attended my first bachelorette party as a bridesmaid for my future sister-in-law Lindsay. Not only did we get to spend a weekend in the most stunning home overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, go flatfooting, learn how to write calligraphy, and taste delicious wines, but I also got to spend the weekend growing closer with Lou and her friends. My sister-in-law is hilarious and has the biggest heart, and her friends reflect that. Many moments in this season have included her. 

2. Graduation 

In May, I walked in my graduation ceremony, although I had technically graduated the previous December. Virginia Tech gave me the most amazing 4 years of my life so far. I grew closer with this gal, Spencer, and numerous other friends I wouldn't have known if it wasn't for this amazing place. I've gotten to stay here for my Masters year, but it just hasn't been the same since everyone left. I'm ready to move on to Roanoke, but Blacksburg (and it's food) will always be one of my homes.

3. Nashvegas 

In May, my parents took us to Nashville for a graduation trip and it was one of my favorite trips to date with this man. I had no idea Nashville would win me over but who am I kidding, all I really need in life is good music and good food. Nashville has got that covered. Can't wait for more trips with this man and my awesome rents! 

4. Grad school begins 

The last week of May, I started graduate school to get my Masters in Elementary Education. The summer was kind of glorious, as Blacksburg in the summer is empty and wonderful and I got iced coffee every morning on my walk to class. This summer was was hard because the previous summer I did CHWC staff. It was also hard because an incredible man was taken to be with the Lord in June. I still know, though, that it had to happen in order to get me here. I only have about 1 month left of college (EVER) and this beautiful place and program has given me everything I could ever need to succeed.

5. Lindsay gets married!!!

This was the best weekend. Lindsay got married to Nicholas on June 11 and everything was glorious. The venue was glorious, the people were glorious, the band that performed at the reception (#TBC) was glorious, but the smiles on their faces by far stole the show. I feel so honored to get to watch this couple grow in love. Don't be surprised if there's another post on here that revolves around them...

6. CHWC peeps visit
I've met some wonderful people in my life through CHWC. I was on staff the summer of 2015 but couldn't do it again because of my graduate program. So many of my loves came to camp in Roanoke in July and I got to spend a whole week with them. I even got to show one of my best friends, Mathias, around this place that I love so much. You know I love people when I'm willing to hike Mcafee's Knob in 96 degree weather!

7. Michael and Abby get engaged!
We had the honor of watching this relationship bloom in college. Mike and Babs were made for each other and it's easy to see. We got to be a part of their proposal this summer in August. By that I mean, we hid in the bushes, I sobbed like a baby, and Spencer took pictures. I have never experienced something so special as watching Mike propose to Abby. Their love is unlike any other and we cannot wait to keep celebrating them this following season!

8. Ocean Isle Beach
Spin and I got to go to the beach with my family and stay at our cousin's perfect, magnificent, wonderful, marvelous beach house. I live for the beach. This trip we took two cars, so Spin and I got to go explore the island some on our own. This included celebrating our 6 year anniversary with a chocolate bomb, which was obviously bomb.

9. BABY PEANUT
The most wonderful part of this season, by far, has been the fact that we are expecting a NIECE. I cannot wait to get to love on this little nugget in June. Lindsay and Nick are going to be the most wonderful parents. Watching Spencer anticipate this little nug has been the sweetest thing ever. Babies are the biggest blessings!

10. We start renting our first place!
In January, we moved Spencer into our first place. I am only slightly jealous that he gets to live here for months without me. I am so insanely overjoyed to finally have a place with this man. You can probably tell that by the numerous Insta stories that have been solely dedicated to video taping what our living room looks like.

This post ended up being way longer than I intended, but I think it's because I failed to recognize the beauty in this season. In between all of these moments, my world has consisted of work, lesson planning, wedding planning, job searching, and just trying to stay afloat. But oh this season, how wonderful it has been. We are coming to the final stages in planning which means bridal showers,  bachelorette parties, and lots of details. I'm currently job searching and praying for lots of clarity. Peanut, our niece, will be here in June and we cannot wait to celebrate her in the meantime. I think in the business of life we forget to stop and appreciate where we are. Where I am right now may be the most hectic season, but it is also the most beautiful one.

Ecclesiastes 3:2-8

The Proposal

October 23, 2015 was the best day!

I'm going to try my absolute hardest to explain the magic that was Friday. I got engaged to the love of my life and best friend :)

On Friday, I told Spencer I really wanted to go to Pandapas Pond and hammock! We went to get my car inspected and drove to the pond that was only 10 minutes away. We fought against the bugs that were flocking around Spencer's good smelling hair and found a perfect place to hammock. We stayed for only about an hour as the bugs did not go away and I was super hungry...per usual. We got subs at Firehouse afterwards and then went back to my place for a little bit. Spencer was adamant about leaving to go get my car inspected and I couldn't figure out why...we had plenty of time before out commitment at Sinkland Farms later. I could tell that he wanted to leave, though, so we went to get my car.

On the drive to Sinkland, I couldn't help but think of what an amazing day it had been. Spencer and I did something adventurous, which we strive to do but it rarely happens. We had spent a ton of time together and we only had one car, which kind of made me feel like I was married to him. I had to rely on him all day to get me places and it wasn't really an option to leave each other and do our own thing. It felt good, really good. I had gotten butterflies in my stomach a few times already that day and I had no idea what was about to happen.

To make this day even better, we were going to Sinkland farms for a party with Spencer's family. We were arriving earlier than everyone else to help set up tables and chairs. We pulled up to the building that the party was supposed to be in and I realized they hadn't cleared the space. Going into problem-solving mode, I immediately started trying to figure out if we were in the wrong building, or if the people who worked there had forgotten about the party. Spencer just took my hand and kept walking. I continued freaking out until he finally said, "Maria, let's just walk. There isn't a party."

This is when I figured it out. My heart dropped, I became pale, and started to cry. Spencer then proceeded to take my hand and walk with me for probably half a mile. He started by saying "We've been together for 5 years, 2 months, and 1 day now." He then proceeded to talk about asking my dad, how he wouldn't want to be with anyone else, and how he wanted to always keep God at the center of our relationship. He said many many more things that I honestly don't remember all that well.

We finally got down to the bottom of the hill and he proposed. It was perfect.

We then took some pictures with our friend Nathan who had been hiding in the bushes in head to toe camouflage for probably close to an hour (thanks for being amazing). Then we headed back to my apartment where my amazing roommate Caylin had planned for my closest family members and friends to be gathered.

I love how the wonderful day with my boyfriend turned into the day he became so much more. October 23, 2015 was the day that I committed to a life with this man. It was a day that I will always remember.

The Lord has been so good to us. I have a piece of his love in the tangible form of Spencer here on this Earth and I get to love him forever. What an absolute blessing. We are so thankful that Jesus sent his son to die for us so that we may know this type of love with one another.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17