Last I wrote, Adam was selected to the Florida (soon-to-be-Miami)
Marlins. And what a blessing! As I sit upon a deflating blow up mattress,
resting in the air-conditioned refuge of my Florida home, I can do nothing but
smile back on the summer that changed the course of my life forever.
Immediately following the news of Adam’s job placement, we
quickly selected our wedding date – 9.10.11 – a most perfect day. From then on,
it would be a whirlwind of errands, trips, selections, opinions, tears, laughs,
struggles, emails, receipts, phone calls, and late nights that brought us to
our special day. In that time, we
also celebrated our one-year anniversary, served as Bible study leaders at FUGE
camp, saw my best friend get hitched (yay Katie!), moved Adam’s mother into her
new home, signed a professional baseball contract, raced the Dirty Dash, took
Adam to the airport, skyped from 4,000 miles away for 3 weeks, received my
first concussion, had both my bridal shower and bachelorette party, developed a
dirty curveball, worked daily with my personal trainer, established
unbreakable relationships, rekindled others, saw some fade, and through it all,
felt God’s hand guiding my every step. It was a summer I’ll never forget and
one that I’ll cherish all of my days.
The weeks leading up to our wedding were some of the craziest
I can remember. Hours spent clicking through the wedding pages of Stumbleupon.com
created an expectation that drove my efforts. I wanted that day to be one that
was, through and through, a perfect depiction of the relationship Adam and I
had built by the love of our God. Not ironically whatsoever, we spent on a very
tight budget, and therefore were able to create just that – a wedding that
would capture the Conleys perfectly in their passions. Collectively, with the
help of many, we put together a ceremony that reached far beyond anything I
could have ever dreamed of.
That day sped past us both like a bullet. I remember
butterflies, anxiousness, hope, peace, and comfort as the day unfolded. I spent
much of my last hours as a Mays girl laughing and running around Olympia with
my best friends. While we skipped from place to place, tying loose ends and
beautifying our exteriors, many others were hard at work piecing together the
rest of the details – thank you.
4 o’clock rolled around in a flash. Pictures. It was finally
time for me to meet eyes with my groom. It seems though, that with me,
something always comes up last minute that bothers my punctuality. So it
was 4:10 when I finally got to see him. He was waiting at the bottom of a
beautiful scene, and I hurriedly walked toward him in a rush of excitement. I’d
never been so eager to stand before him. Our first look is one that continually
sends tiny little love sparks through my being. I placed my had upon his
shoulder and as he turned, I was struck with the most joy I had ever
experienced. A handsome, brilliant, passionate man of God would soon become my
husband. Naturally, a smile burst from my elation and he laughed. “Honey!” he
said. “You look beautiful, but…I think you have lipstick all over your teeth!”
We immediately shared a heartfelt laugh that was so Adam and Kendall. Just two
kids. Passionately in love. Beginning our lives with a genuine laugh. I
think my wedding day may have been the only day I’ve ever worn or will wear
lipstick again. But I couldn’t be more happy about it. As he wiped the sticky
mess from my crooked front teeth, I could feel his overwhelming sense of love
reach out and wrap me faithfully in his arms. With him, I’m forever safe. Safe
to be the goofy woman of God that I’ve been called to be.
Before I knew it, 7:00 was upon us. A summer of preparation
had come to fruition. At last! Our gathered community of friends and family had
arrived safely in support of our vows before God. And I was ready. I was ready
to stand in front of my God, Adam, and the people who mean most to me, and
promise my life to a man whose most
important relationship is not one that involves me. The Lord first. Me
second. Just how it should be.
As I walked down the staircase, down the gravel hill, down the
aisle, I was enthralled in love. Absorbed in the beauty of the moment.
Captivated by the image. My watery eyes met his. And as I stood before my
groom, I was thankful. That I had found him. But more than that, that I had
found the most unique, important, and perfect relationship only 2 years before.
Before I even knew who Adam Conley was.
Before I even cared to know him. I have a love for this man because of
another who pours it through me second by second, day by day. A perfect puzzle
was pieced together that day, through the inspired sermon of our dear friend
Josh. The words that flowed from him were met with open ears, and hopefully
some open hearts as well. I couldn’t have asked for a better message, ceremony,
and gift of sunny Olympia weather.
Our Vows. Our Rings. Our Covenant. Our Communion. Together,
with Our Love and His, we’ve begun Our Lives as The Conleys. And we couldn’t
have hoped for a more unique way to venture off. As with any new journey, the
possibilities are many. My hope is this: that one day, I’ll be able to look
back on these memories and realize growth. In myself. In my relationships. In
my service. In my God.
Because of this, I’ve embarked on an exciting task: to capture
the first 365 days of our marriage in photographs. So far, I’ve got 15 days
worth…and it just keeps getting better!
You can follow us daily at http://a-life-in-flight-365.blogspot.com/
And finally, I’d just like to say thank you. Before the
letters go out. Before the notes get personal. Before my hand cramps like it
used to during Microbiology lectures. Thank you for everyone whose had a hand
in Adam’s life. And in mine. We feel so blessed. So fortunate to have been
surrounded by beautiful people throughout our days, even before the two of us
laid eyes on each other. Adam and I each have encountered separate lives up
until the past year and a half, and without many of you – some I may never meet
– our stories wouldn’t be the same. So thank you for your dedication to both of
us, however big or small. Something brought you here, and as you read, I hope
you understand that even the slightest smile, the weakest encouragement, the
faintest provision, is worth enough for me to be thankful for.
