Our families were both excited for us as we began the wedding plans. I was the first to be married in my family, so the expectations were high. Ben was the fifth to be married in his family, so it seemed that his family had more realistic expectations. I can remember the beginning of the plans to be so fun and exciting, but after a few months they became quite stressful and full of drama. Life was overwhelming but in the happy sense. In March we had our engagement photos taken. Here are a few of my favorites.
Then at the end of March an event occurred that would change everything. I developed a severe case of Mononucleosis (Mono). At first I thought I just had a flu but as time went on and I got worse, and after MANY doctor visits I was told it was Mono and Bronchitis. Because it took so long for me to be diagnosed and I was pushing myself to continue school, work, and wedding plans the Mono took a turn for the worse. Just after designing our wedding invitations, I received a phone call from my doctor instructing me to go the ER as my blood results showed signs of life threatening things. I can't quite tell you what they were as I was so out of it then and didn't understand fully what was happening to me. So I went to the ER and they flushed out my system and ran several tests. It turned out that I would be fine eventually, but that I had developed Hepatitis (swelling of the liver) from the Mono. Within the next few days I dropped out of school, quit my job, and put wedding plans on hold as all I could do was lay around in absolute misery as there is no medication or cure for Mono besides rest and letting it run its course.
I have never experienced an illness as awful as Hepatitis/Mono and Bronchitis. I was devastated as I had lost tuition money, credit for the classes I had worked so hard in, and the ability to save money for my future with Ben. I believe it was no coincidence that Ben left his job due to the taxing nature of it about the time I got sick. He then was able to take care of me as I struggled to do simple things like shower or eat. It was a humbling experience for me as I had to let Ben see me in the worst state I had ever been in. For the next month and a half Ben and I were able to connect in a way that I believe would have never occurred had it not been for my illnesses. Looking back now, I can see how it was such a blessing from my Heavenly Father. Sure being sick was absolutely horrible, yes I didn't get to plan out or do certain details that I had hoped to do for my wedding, and ya we hardly saved any money and were forced to live with my parents after marriage instead of an apartment, but I got to see how amazing of a man Ben was, and learned how to rely on him in my time of need. This experience just made our choice to marry each other even more powerful and right as we were able to see the true nature of each other. I will forever be grateful to Ben for his love and devotion then and now. It is those moments that I remember when times get rough for us in our new marriage, and I remember how we made it through them together with Heavenly help. So to anyone reading this, don't be afraid to show every part of you to the person you love. It may be scary, embarrassing, humbling, and uncomfortable, but I can testify that it will cause a deep and rewarding relationship with your loved one as you connect with them on a whole different level.
When the end of April came we were faced with the decision to postpone the wedding or not. After much thought we decided to keep the original wedding date, and relied on our family, friends, and Heavenly Father to help us accomplish all that we needed to by May10th. As soon as I was able, we had our formals photo shoot, which helped to spark the excitement once again.
