Love, Relationships, and My Somewhat Jumbled Thoughts

I stumbled upon a few blog posts this week written by the semi-famous blogger cjane. She wrote about her 5 loves and talked with her now husband (and 5th love) about their relationship. She is a great writer and her words really made me think about relationships and their multifaceted nature. Sometimes I think of the relationship between married couples as existing in one way. Like every couple has basically the same story of meeting, falling in love, taking the next step to be married, and then working through what life throws at you together. I guess to some extent that is true. But as I read about her descriptions of falling madly in love a few times over and then marrying the one she didn't necessarily fall madly in love with but instead decided to just make it work, I realized the VERY different relationships we all have. I like to think I am not naive and I try (and have since I began thinking about marriage while dating) to look at the realities of marriage and realize it is not all fun and games. And yet I can't help that each time I look back at my love story I realize it kind of was like the books and movies. And I still often (not all the time) feel that it is perfect bliss.

Take for example, the other night. I was standing at the kitchen sink after an intense work out taking sips of water in between gasps for air. Standing at the sink, I was looking directly at Peter who was in the front room quietly studying at his desk. And I started crying. Sometimes I see him as that untouchable high school boy who I could not believe liked me, ME, out of all the girls in our high school. He made me (and still does) want to be better. He helped me define who I would be for the rest of my life. He showed me what I should be looking for in friends and relationships and taught me how I should be acting toward the people I loved. He was, in my mind, an untouchable perfect angel that for some reason wanted to be around me.

Now with the everyday monotony of life and marriage, that feeling has somewhat worn off--I like to think I am more realistic about life in general and his imperfections, although he is still pretty close to perfect--but if I step back for just a moment and see him with the eyes I saw him before we were married, for those 4 years of knowing each other, I can't help but be overwhelmed that I married THAT GUY. Peter Sundwall for goodness sake! The man I loved and dreamed about marrying for NEARLY 4 YEARS! Did I ever think that would happen? Well, yes. And I hoped it would. But that fact that it actually did just overwhelms me.

For some--like cjane--they fully admit that they did not necessarily “fall in love” as depicted by our society. They just simply realized that they wanted to work at loving each other and living their lives together. I agree that a good marriage takes commitment to each other, because trying times do come no matter who you are. But I cannot say that I did not fall madly, deeply, giddy in love. Because I did. I fell hard. And those same feelings I felt while we were dating and engaged come back often. I realize that it may one day (from what I hear) wear off and that is why commitment is so important. But for now, after 14 months of marriage, I cannot think of a more perfect person that could make me any happier than I am now.  

Boy do I love this boy. . . man.

February Highlights

For Valentine's Day Pete and I stuck to our traditions we started last year. Ironically I was sick this year (last year he was sick) so we made it pretty low-key, again. Just the way we like it.

The day included love letters to each other. A purple rose (for me). A homemade meal. A love potion smoothie. And the traditional Vday table cloth. We got to read what each other wrote last year  and write a new little thing that we love about each other.

Surprisingly, the evening did not include dessert. I was not feeling up to making anything but I had planned to make homemade Oreos. So a day or two later, after I was feeling better, we had those. And I was glad I waited until I had a proper appetite to enjoy them...mmmm.

While I was sick I would cough a lot at night and Pete had trouble sleeping. I didn't even realize I was doing it so he would just get up in the middle of the night and move to the couch. I would have never known if I hadn't seen this every morning. The poor guy.

After too many nights of this, we are happy to be back in the same bed again.

Pete and I attended his uncle Jon's wedding during February. We were so happy to see Jon and his bride, Heather, so in love and get to share their wonderful, beautiful wedding day with them.

My cousin also got sealed in the temple during February to his wife and sweet little girl. It was so fun to celebrate their wonderful day.

We felt the love this month.

In other news...my little dance class of 4-6 year old girls competed in their very first dance competition on Saturday. I am proud to say they ranked 1st place and received an overall award in their division for a high score! They did such a good job and were so cute. I sure do love teaching dance.

My Newfound Hobby

Lately in my down time I have been transcribing census information from FamilySearch.org! What better way to spend a little free time? I just turn on some soothing music and immerse myself in the past.

This way I don't bother Pete while he is studying, I get to relax, and I am helping someone somewhere get a little closer to finding out more about their family members from the past.

I am so interested in family history and getting to know the amazing people who have shaped the way I live today.

 And guess what? Anyone can do it! Just visit here and sign up. It is very straightforward, easy and fun. Let me know if you want more info or have questions about how to get started!

Fun Stuff--No Pics. That's January.

Pete and I have been doing a lot of fun things lately and I have even thought about taking pictures. But then I just don't want to spoil the moment--since we both don't enjoy pictures much. And so we never get pictures. But oh well, here are some fun things we have been up to anyway:

• Multiple birthday parties. My dad's birthday was last week and my niece Jennsen's was this week so we have been eating lots of cake over at my parent's house.
• Bridal shower! Pete's uncle John is getting married next week! Pete's mom and aunt threw Heather (his bride) a bridal shower for all the extended family. They let me participate by making cinnamon rolls which made me feel very domestic and included in the family fun!
• Jimmer game...I mean the JAZZ game. We had some tickets donated to the Little Heroes Foundation for the Jazz vs. Kings game. Our foundation invited a couple families in need and then Pete, Jeffrey (Pete's little bro) and I got to go sit in an awesome suite with them and watch the Jimmer-mania! We even sat next to Elder Eyring's suite--who, might I add, may or may not have the Jimmer-fever (actually I really couldn't tell, he was pretty straight-faced the whole time).
• Sundance Film Festival. Pete is part of the Honors Program at UVU. They got tickets to Fierce Green Fire at the festival and one of Pete's classmate canceled so I got to go instead. There was a terrible snow storm that night and it took us about 2 hours to get home from Park City but seeing all the crazy liberals boo and hiss (literally) at the screen with Ronald Reagan on it was well worth it. :)

I really wish I would have captured some of these wonderful moments with a camera. But nevertheless, they are captured in my brain and heart. I am sure I won't entirely forget this eventful January month.

I did find this lone picture that was taken of us during January. Really?

Not only should this picture not be posted on our blog to remember January by but it really should probably be burned. Not flattering. Of either one of us. And yet I still feel the obligation to post it so that this blog post will have some visual appeal....even if it's the kind that makes you want to throw up.