Our First Year

Its been a crazy couple months in the Cope house.

Trips to Vegas, Thanksgiving, Christmas now New Years is sneaking up...

But today is the day I'm going to post about.

Our One Year Anniversary

Exactly two years ago Mr Cope and I went on our very first date. A blind date, set up by his sister whom I worked with. I remember how cold it was, and how nervous I felt. I was going back to Australia so I really didn't have plans to fall for an American, but the butterflies were definitely present that day. I remember pulling up into the parking lot where we decided to meet and just wanting to turn around and drive home. Then I saw him. He came up, introduced himself and hugged me. He was friendly, warm and cuter than what I had expected. I stayed. The rest of the night is kinda a blur. I think I talked his ear off... and made a fool of myself in front of his friends playing some smurf game..

 

But he asked me out again anyway.

And again.

And again.

Until one day I was his girlfriend.

 

We dated for 8 months until the big question came my way. I never thought I would be one of THOSE girls who said yes after just a few short months of knowing someone. In fact I remember having a conversation with my mum who asked me this exact thing and telling her I would just flat out reject him if he asked me before we had been dating for a least a year.

 

That morning we were up before the crack of dawn and set out to hike Mt. Timpanogos together. It is a massive 11,749ft hike which would take us 6 hours just to reach the top.

 

 

 He was being his cute Alex self, picking flowers for me all the way up and not complaining at all if I was going slow in the steep parts.

 

 

 

 When we finally reached the top we sat down on the front of the mountain and looked over Utah Valley.

 

 

As I was enjoying the view, Alex said he was uncomfortable and asked if we could move somewhere where there wasn't as much people. I was tired and didn't want to get up so said no. He kept asking, so we finally moved over to the back of the mountain. After sitting there for a while he looks over me and tells me he loves me. Then he said I had to close my eyes because he had something to give me. I thought it was just another flower and I was thinking that was kinda cute. I really had no idea what was coming. He then put the box in my hand, and told me to open my eyes. This beautiful ring was sitting in this black box just staring up at me. He asked me if I would marry him and I just stared at him and started crying. Then he started crying and we hugged. I told him that meant a yes because I realized I hadn't said anything yet in over a minute. Poor guy. But hey, we were engaged!

By the time we reached the bottom of the mountain I had 3/4 of our wedding planned.

 

 

 

 

 

We picked the 29th of December for our Wedding day. Mainly so all the family could be together at Christmas time. It was the COLDEST day of my life. But still the best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This past year I have grown more than any other year in my life. Alex has shown me kindness, generosity, patience, understanding, support, gratitude and above all love every single day, even through the tough times. I love him to death and even past it. He is my best bud. The memories we have made together will be with us forever.

 

 

 

 

I LOVE YOU ALEX BRANDON COPE!! TO ETERNITY AND BEYOND!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confessions of a Comparer

 

Looking back is a funny thing. I am able to see how every single puzzle piece of my life has fallen into place, everything leads up to something and it all eventually works out. I wish I could have that same assurance right now. Our life is amazing, there is not one thing I could complain about or alter to make better. But that's not to say it isn't tough. We face trials both individually and as a couple, but right now it seems like everything is weighing in on us. It feels like even the small decisions that are before us could heavily influence our future. Whether we keep renting where we are, whether to travel more before we buy a house, where to buy a house, when we should have babies, where I should apply to school..  

 

I'll be honest, it can get depressing when I look around and I see everyone accomplishing their goals and I feel like I somehow got left behind somewhere, like I missed out on some important step that they all took. I have friends that are designing and building their own houses! Having babies, travelling all over the planet, getting their dream jobs. I have friends from all walks of life yet they all seem so much further ahead on the path than me.

 

Ever since I was little I have spent way too much time comparing myself to others. I have no idea why I do this. I think it's a built-in thing in all women.  It uses up so much energy and is such a terrible thing to do. I have found myself wishing I was more outgoing, in better shape, craftier, smarter, prettier, more musical, funnier, etc etc etc.

 Sometimes people tend to glamorize life and it can really make you feel like you aren't doing enough. 

 

 

It makes me wonder where society has developed this sense of the ideal person.

 

 

A couple years ago I had my life laid out, everything in its place and going its course. I was going to travel, to Ireland, Greece and Egypt. I was going to finish my Bachelor's Degree and be an Elementary school teacher. I was going to own a house on the beach and eat fish and chips with gravy for the rest of my life while riding off into the sunset.  I had so many more ideals in my head that I just assumed would be part of my life. I was wrong.

 

I never planned on Alex.

 

I mean, of COURSE I wanted to get married and everything, but still seemed like so far away.. Life really puts you in your place sometimes just when you seem to have things figured out.

He is in school right now and because it's so expensive I have to wait until he is done to go back and finish my own.

I admit this used to make me bitter.

All I could focus on was the fact that I gave up everything to come here and marry him and how inconvenient and upsetting it was to put my life on hold for him.

I got angry and jealous that he could see the light at the end of the tunnel and that he was leaving me behind too. Poor Alex had no idea what was going on in my head until it all came out one day.

He thanked me over and over again for all the work I was doing to put him through school and how much it meant to him. I felt like a horrible person... I had such a selfish influence on our marriage, and immediately changed my perspective.

I realized it was my problem. It wasn't Alex's and it wasn't anybody else's. It was up to me to change my way of thinking and to improve my outlook. I should be proud of the things I have accomplished. I should be confident in who I am both physically and mentally. I have found the less time I spend focusing on myself and comparing myself the more time I have to improve myself and improve my relationship with those around me, especially Alex. When I focus on serving others I think less about myself and in turn I am much happier. 

 

 

 

It truly is an honor to be working to put Alex through school. He is working 65 hours a week (40 student teaching 25 serving), trying to bring in money and set us up for the future all at the same time. I have it so much easier than him and yet I still found a way to make it all about myself. I still feel so guilty that I ever thought that way. Alex is amazing to me, I cant ever let myself get in the way of noticing this with my selfish, bitter thoughts.

 

 

But now I've realized something I've always known, I would rather be struggling with Alex down a seemingly endless road than by myself ticking off some list I made when I was 14.

It's about taking one little baby step at a time, even if it all seems pointless and unrewarding. Every little step adds up and before you know it you're on a path that is better than any you could have dreamed up 10 years ago.

 

 

Our happiness in life and marriage should never come from checking off our list of "things to do before I die". You're always exactly where you are meant to be, so find joy in the moment instead of sittin, waitin and wishin. There really is no wrong answer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BIG 2 4

I have had the BEST birthday ever! Alex sure does know how to spoil his woman..
 

(P.S I got a fancy new camera from Al!!! So Of course I took photos of EVERYTHING)

 

He started out with decorating the house with streamers

 

 

Made me delicious Vanilla French Toast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had My favourite flowers anonymously delivered to me (Thanks Rob!)

 

 

 

 

 

Then we went to Mt Timpanogus Temple to do some sealings.

 

 

And had fun taking photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then had lunch

AND TOOK MORE PHOTOS!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

" 

 

 

Funny story- Alex planned this WHOLE day as a surprise to me. He did everything I liked that he could possibly fit into the day. I don't deal well with surprises. for weeks leading up to my birthday I kept asking him to just tell me what we were doing. He is way to stubborn.
Anyway, as we were out for lunch, I was trying to get out of him where we were going for dinner. After guessing practically everything and getting no reaction, we changed the subject.
A few minutes later he was telling me that he completely forgot to get a cake for me. I told him that maybe at dinner we can just get dessert and stick a candle in it, same thing.
He then replies- "But its Indian, what will they have?"
Yeah... way to slip up there hun...
We were laughing forever on that one
Such a Dodo bird...
 

 

 

 

So....Then we went out to Indian with my family!

 

 

 

AND OPENED PRESENTS!!

 

 

Alex took me to see ENDER'S GAME just to top off the most

PERFECT DAY EVER

Gosh darn I love him

 

 

 

It was 66 degrees yesterday, sunny and beautiful.

Today it is snowing outside.

Coincidence?

I THINK NOT

Utah was wishing me a happy birthday :) maybe we can be friends after all...