walking next to you...

today was my first day back after spring break and what a wonderful day it was. there are ups and downs in every day but that doesn't mean anything. deal with the downs and love the ups and you're golden:) i thought it would be a good idea to take a break from my mexico reading(a country that my students see as eh, kinda boring, after studying nigeria and iran...no offense...hopefully it will get more exciting when we cover the aztecs and corruption:) before i begin writing about the coming days, as graduation approaches, i have to go back a bit and tell you about my spring break:)

it was WONDERFUL:) the wednesday before break, i signed a contract for year two AND i got this fancy little ring from the man in my life which means, yes, there is going to be a wedding! he came to visit here for a few days since this will be his new home and he brought a few goodies with him, one being the sweet ring. but honestly, i just was so excited for him to be here with me....i cried three days before he left because he was leaving:)

during his visit, we did so much but all so wonderful. we purchased a new beautiful bed. i love it and we get to use all of the cool pillows and blankets we have accumulated over recent years:) we did some traveling around florida and it was amazing! we started off by going to st. augustine, the oldest city in the us! we visited the fort and the old churches and held hands as we walked down the streets and zack took photos:) i loved just watching him. i loved looking at his face and him catching me and us smiling and talking and it was good. i missed him so much. in so many ways. when you have a love of your life, distance is no issue but it doesn't mean you don't miss him;) we enjoyed that place so much and will go back once we are all moved in in the summertime! after st. augustine, we drove to jacksonville for something so special.

john mark mcmillan! we were able to experience him together which was so amazing because one song that has become so special to both of us individually and together is how ho loves and we were a part of something really wonderful that night. i still had stitches in my hand because they refused to take them out on wednesday. zack was so careful and loving to me and to the hand:) jmm was amazing and i will not forget experiencing that with zack anytime soon.

we had an interesting drive home. too many deer. if i don't see another real deer in a very long time, i will be a-ok with that:) zack was a trooper and he got us home and i just loved him more after that night. i can't believe how my love for him grows. but it does and i know that all glory goes to God for such goodness:)

on sunday before church, zack took me to get the ol' stitches out! woot:) the people at the er are just amazing. they got me in and out so that we made it to church in perfect time AND the stitches came out! sunday we had lunch with lena and heather and went home to work on our home:) oh i love, love, love the sound of that! zack made dinner and during dinner he started talking about leaving and i just broke down into lots of tears. the idea of him leaving just ripped my heart to pieces. i know i will see him soon but after having him here and loving it so much, loving him so much, to hear him say those words....blah.

on monday, we spent the day in orlando with jen strahl. it was amazing. she took us all over the place! the beautiful leu gardens, the mexican restaurant with the 'don't drink the water' sign, the winter park lake tour, rollins college tour, a record store, and disney mini golf and a few other locations. we had such a blast! she was the best city guide:)

tuesday oh tuesday, so bittersweet. tuesday we walked around montverde. by the park, the post, the fire station, the equestrian center, and the lake. it was perfect. zack made coffee and we walked and talked and i was thinking about him leaving the next day. but finally decided to enjoy the day completely since he was with me. that night we had dinner with shawn and sean and lena and heather and it was mmm mmm good:) and the cupcakes, unreal:) and duh, we watched hotrod:) love that movie!

well, the following morning, zack got on a plan and now he is living it up in san fran:) having him here was the best gift. just simply the best. i loved every moment. he is such a brilliant man with a brilliant heart and i get him. again, woot:) in just a couple of months we will begin our journey together and God is going to move us to wonderful things, i know it. it's so crazy that it begins here, in small town florida. i love how God works:)

he got fitted for a shirt and bow tie today. God things to come...

back to mexico i go:)