13 Memories of 2013

2013 was a big year for Robbie and me! Here are 13 memories of 2013.

1. Road trip with Shawney and Jessica to San Diego
Gosh, I love these girls. I met them in the first ward I was in on condo row. Shawney and I had an instant connection because she was a teacher, and I was going to school to become a teacher. Shawney was actually the one that helped me get the teaching job I have now. Such a blessing. Both of these girls are a TON of fun, and convinced me to go (sometimes I think too responsibly, go figure) with them on a spontaneous road trip to San Diego over Presidents Day. We stayed in the most ghetto hotel and a small percentage of me feared for my life. However, we survived, and actually had a total blast.

 Shawney, Jessica, and Jessica's friend, Dawna 

Coronado Beach

2. San Diego with the Bean's
My parents and I drove down to San Diego to meet Emily's family and go through the temple with her (I did baptisms, which was awesome). The Collins were so hospitable and good to us. They took us to all of their favorite restaurants, the beach, and even took us sailing on Bro. Collin's sailboat. I loved getting to know Emily and her parents better, and seeing Richard & Emily together more made it even more evident to me how perfect they are for each other.

3. Fell in love with Robbie
Robbie told me he loved me on January 5, but I wasn't ready to say it back. It took me a little bit longer. The first time I remember thinking, "Oh my goodness, I love this man!" was sometime in February when he surprised me with a double date with one of my best friends, Whitney Lewis. Something about that night just opened my eyes to how wonderful he was and how wonderful we were as a couple. I told him I loved him on March 1. I will never forget how happy we both were that night.

Traditions Ball in March

4. Grandma Ray passes away
Grandma Ray passed away on the morning of the last day of school. I remember texting Robbie with the news as soon as I woke up, and he soon after came over and gave me a big hug before I headed off to school. Her passing was something we expected, and I was surprised at my ability to emotionally keep it together...until the kids left after school. A faculty member at school came up to me and offered her condolences, and I just lost it. I was a mess for the next couple of hours, on and off, as I cleaned my room and checked out. It was a crazy mix of emotions. I was so relieved and happy to be done with school, but I mourned for my grandma and my mom and my grandpa and everyone else close to her. We drove out to the funeral a couple days later, and it was a strengthening, happy experience. I sure love and miss her.

My cousin's son kissing Grandma Ray goodbye

5. Finished first year of teaching
VICTORY DANCE!!! Words cannot describe how I felt on that last day of school. To accomplish something I didn't think was possible was a pretty amazing experience.

6. First Bean sibling wedding
Richard and Emily broke the single Bean streak! I love them both so much. Their wedding is what really got me thinking about whether Robbie and I were really going to take the next step and get engaged.

7. Portland
Robbie and I went on a road trip to Portland together in June. We knew we were going to get married, but didn't want to go on a roadtrip as an engaged couple (sketch). We did some research of the best sites to see around Portland, and had a wonderful time together. Being together all of the time confirmed to us that getting married was the right thing.

8. Got engaged
Robbie proposed on Sunday, June 9th, the day we got back from Portland. We were elated.

9. California trip with the Simons'
Because I was engaged to Robbie, I got to go on a family trip with the Simons' to visit Wilson's mission in Roseville, California. I loved getting to know his family better, and felt like one of them. I got my first real taste of the awesome family I was marrying into.

10. Lots of wedding planning
My goal as a future bride was to never be a bridezilla. I wanted to really pace myself so that stress wouldn't be an issue. I wanted to enjoy the wedding planning process. Of course there was stress towards the end of the planning process that was inevitable and something we couldn't really control (changing reception venues because of the weather), but overall I really enjoyed planning our wedding. I couldn't have done it without Robbie and my dear mother.

11. Wedding & Honeymoon
We were married on September 13, 2013, which was Friday the 13th! So many people helped to make this day incredible, and we are SO thankful for them. This truly was the best day.

Robbie surprised me with a honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico. And when I say surprise, I mean that he accidentally let out the word, "Mexico" a couple weeks before our wedding. The surprise part was that we were going to Cancun, which he told me as we left our reception. Haha, we had a good laugh about that. It was so rejuvenating to just be together and begin our lives together in such a beautiful place.

12. Grandpa Bean passes away
We got word of Grandpa Bean's passing while we were on our honeymoon. I remember going to the lobby to check our email. Robbie started reading his email on his phone, gave me a big hug, and handed the phone to me so I could read it. It was such a blessing to have Robbie with me. He held me while I cried, laughed with me as we talked about memories of Grandpa, and then helped me feel at peace as we talked about both of our grandpas together in heaven cheering us on.

13. Colorado for Mark & Elissa's Wedding
We finished the year off with a third Bean wedding! Robbie and I spent Christmas with my family, and then flew out to Colorado the next day for Mark & Elissa's wedding. They were sealed in the Denver Temple, Robbie packed extra tissues for me (he knows me so well). It was a sweet and powerful sealing. I was overcome with love for my brother who I have always looked up to, as well as a new love for his new bride. I love these two!

Here's to an amazing and wonderful 2014!