Then Comes Marriage

There's really not much I can say about our wedding day...what do you say about the best day of your life?

Looking across the altar in the temple at the man of my dreams, knowing that we were going to have forever with each other...I couldn't help but smile. Caleb was crying and I was giggling, not out of irreverence, but because I couldn't contain my joy, I was so happy that giggles escaped my mouth...the same way they did when I prayed to know if he was the one the Lord had asked me to wait for. I was overfilled with joy.

Knowing that not only are Caleb and I married on this earth but that we are also sealed for all eternity and that even the bonds of death cannot break our marriage...that's something special. As Caleb and I sat in the temple together afterwards I thought about other religious marriage ceremonies and how they say 'till death do you part' and how terribly sad that is. My love for Caleb is bigger than this world and thinking that one day after I die he may not be there, well that's no heaven I want to know. 

I am grateful for the choices that Caleb and I made in our lives to marry in the temple. I am grateful for the people who stood by our side getting us to that point. A temple marriage is so worth it. When you love someone with a pure heart; a lifetime isn't enough.

The only thing left for me to say is this; girls, it's worth it. Wait for your prince and marry him in the Lord's castle. There is no other joy like it, I promise. 

Across the Country in 33 Hours

We are married! It was a crazy couple of months but we are (sorta) settling in and so excited for our eternity together. So, first off. Here are some pictures from our month long adventure to Southern Indiana, Northern Indiana, Ohio and then North Carolina.

On our way to S. Indiana

We started our car ride in St. George, Utah and drove straight through to Bloomfield, Indiana...about 33 hours in the car including short stops for food and bathroom. My Dad drove pretty much the entire way, with a little help from my me and my Mom. It was a LOOOONG drive and it helped my parents get to know Caleb a little better and gave Caleb a better picture of what he was getting into.

A short stop in Colorado

When we FINALLY made it to Bloomfield we got to spend some time with my Uncle John, Aunt Nancy, my cousin Camille and her two children. It was pretty cramped, but a lot of fun showing Caleb the town my Mom grew up in and getting to visit my Grandma McKean's grave. I always cry when I go visit her...poor Caleb got more tears than he bargained for...I just miss her so much and was really wishing she was around to meet my sweetheart. We also got to see our dear friends Emily and Teresa. They drove up from Jeffersonville to see us and meet Caleb. I was so happy to see them, but was missing the rest of the Smith clan. 

Vandalizing some train tracks

During a power outage Caleb sat around and played cards with all the ladies.

My great grandpa used to hide moonshine in this rock

My aunt and uncle and their plethora of hummingbird feeders.

Our travels then took us to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
I didn't really take any pictures of this part of the trip, but we got to spend a lot of time with family. Caleb met my Grandpa McKean and his wife, Grammy and her husband, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends who are basically family. It is amazing to me that after meeting all these crazy family members he still wanted to marry me.

My City

My favorite part of the trip was taking Caleb to Perry, Ohio. I was so excited pulling into Cleveland. It was a little pathetic...there may have been some tears. What can I say, I love that place! In Ohio Caleb met my best friend Abby and they quickly formed a bond and became really good friends. He also met so many other people who impacted my life, there are way too many to name. It was so fun showing Caleb around the place that I consider home.

My Abigail <3

Pretty convincing right? 

I'm still trying to convince him that we should move there and raise our family...I'll keep you updated on what happens. Abby threw me a bachelorette party while we were in Ohio :) She's the best. While she was getting a white ink tattoo, we tried convincing my family that I was actually getting the tattoo, so we set up this picture. That's Abby's hand in front of my body and we put my ring on her. Looks good, right? Anyone who wants a white ink tattoo and is in the Chardon, Ohio area should go to Chris Klee, he's awesome and he REALLY loves doing white ink tattoo's. :)

Took Caleb to Historic Kirtland

Kirtland Temple

On the plane :)

After Ohio we flew to Newport, North Carolina where I met his Mom, sister, brother-in-law, nephew and many other people who influenced him for the better and made him the man he is now. North Carolina is not my favorite place and I don't think we will be going back there to live...100% humidity!!! No thank you! However, it was wonderful to get to see where Caleb has spent his whole life and to get to know those closest to him. We got to go to the beach, which was a little scary for me, I had forgotten what real waves felt like! Sad, I know. We got to celebrate Caleb's birthday with his family. Since Caleb and I don't really have money to be spending on gifts I just got him a few of his favorite things...Oreo's, GingerAle (yes...that's his favorite soda) and Reese's and a coupon book. 

Caleb's Birthday

I got to meet the Rolling family who basically adopted Caleb as their own. They were so kind to us and completely welcomed both of us into their home whenever we wanted to hang out. We had an engagement party in his hometown and were so blessed by the amazing women in that ward who put together the entire thing. It was beautiful and so generous of them.

Meeting Poseidon 

 That ends our trip. We left North Carolina more in love than when we started our trip and with only 10 days before our wedding! I will post another update about our wedding fun :)