Perspective on Valentine's Day & A Love Story

Images by Michaela Noelle Designs

February 14th. A day so many of us dread, and for others, it's a beautiful day celebrating love. I'll be honest, I used to be one of those girls who dreaded it! I can remember thinking I wish I could have just skip right past the 14th and onto the 15th, because I was certainly going to die of being alone on Valentine's Day. Thankfully, I lived to tell the story. Only one year out of my entire life, not counting this year, have I "had" someone on Valentine's Day. I think all those years spent "alone" {and by that I mean they were spent with great friends and loving family} taught me to really cherish the moments of being with my guy now. 

God has certainly blessed me with a wonderful man and I'm so excited about life with him! If you've been reading my blog for a few years now, you might remember this post about the time I experienced true heartbreak. I was devastated. BUT. But God mended that broken heart, brought restoration and healing to my soul, and then filled my heart to the brim by bringing this amazing, selfless and caring man into my life {in an apple orchard, for heaven's sake!} almost two years later. If I had to go through heartache to get to this one, then I'd do it all over again. 

Want to hear a crazy story about how God works in your life when you don't even realize it?! About a year ago, I was approached by a major TV network to audition for a new design TV show airing this Spring and after auditioning, contemplating and weighing the options, I finally told the producers if the show was going to embarrass me, force me into reality TV drama, or ruin my career before it even started, I'd rather not take the chance. I was torn, though, friends. I would have loved to be designing dream houses on TV, but I just couldn't imagine something going wrong on the show, that would later prevent me from doing what I love for the rest of my life. Obviously, I didn't get chosen for the reality show after mentioning that concern to the producers.  I was a little bit sad, because of the exciting possibility on the horizon. BUT. But God had other plans. Had I been on the TV show, filming would have began late Summer and I would have missed my trip to go visit Ashley and her new baby in Michigan. It was on that very trip where we did this photo shoot together and where I met my handsome boyfriend. God knew all along this is where I would meet him, and if I had been filming for the show, I would have missed him. I'm so thankful this is how things worked out, because I honestly can't imagine my life without him in it. {This is definitely my most sappy blog post. Ever. Sorry!}

So, to those of you who dread this day like I used to, be patient, hopeful and prayerful. The best is yet to come. To those of you who love love and live for this day, enjoy every ounce of it! 

Cheers to being thankful for the love we do have in our lives, for the many people who bring us joy, and, of course, to chocolate, some bubbly, and lots of dessert!
Happy Valentine's Day!
xoxo