Summer of Tara



I just read my last post and WOW. I wrote that post in May of 2015. That summer I decided that I was going to choose joy, and that  it was, "the summer of Tara." Let me tell you what all I did, and the things that happened. 

Before last summer, life got hard around Thanksgiving. My sister decided to move and that meant that my niece would be going with her. I had spent the last couple of years spending as much time with her as possible. I knew it would just be a season, but I really didn't want the time to end. Saying goodbye to her for an undetermined amount of time sent me into a time of deep sadness. 


After months of getting used to a new normal, and still missing my girl, my birthday was approaching. I hate my birthday. I don't even know why. I just never have liked it that much. This time I decided it would be great, and I was going to have a great 39th year of life. This was when I decide it would be, "The Summer of Tara." I decided that I was going to travel, and I did. I had the opportunity to go to New York! It was amazing. I saw so many sights that I never thought I would. Plus I got to spend time with family that I hardly ever see. I fell in love with Degas, the water towers, and I started talking to someone that I would fall in love with later. 

Right before I left to go to New York I started talking to the man that would become my husband.  I had been on eHarmony for 11 months and was about to shut down my profile. I had talked to and met a few guys, but there was never that spark. I hadn't even looked at my account in months. I got a notification that this guy winked at me, and then he started asking me questions. I thought, "Hmmm. Let's give him a shot! He's cute, and seems normal." We got through all the initial questions, must haves/can't stands, and moved right into open communication. He was kind, funny, caring, and godly. We connected on so many things. When I got back from New York we had our first date. It was perfect. We went out about four more times and it was time for me to go to California. I had planned this trip months ago, and hadn't been back home since I moved back to AR in 2002! I was so excited, yet a large part of me wanted to stay, because I had just met this amazing guy! We spoke every day, throughout the day, and into the evening when I was gone. That's when I fell in love with him. I was home, with family I hadn't seen in a long time. I went to the beach everyday, yet all I could think about was him. When I got back we were inseparable. We spent as much time together as we could. By November we were engaged, and we got Married on January 7, 2016. 

Now, I'm not saying that my prayers were answered, because I decided to have this positive outlook, and choose joy. Maybe it helped, if you believe that positive thinking brings good things. I truly believe that it was just time. God's timing had arrived for me. I don't know what took so long, but the time had finally come. It was perfect too! I had an amazing summer of travel, and firsts, and it was punctuated with an amazing gift. I feel so blessed. 

I have a lot to say about all of this and so my blog is evolving. I am now a wife, and the journey here hasn't been easy. I plan to share some of the things I've learned through this journey in hopes that it will encourage, enlighten, and refresh others. Nothing is easy, except for the burden God places on us. His burden is light (Matt. 11:30).

Until next time. 
XO,
T

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