Reflection on 2017

Where to even begin with the ending of 2017.

First, let me apologize for my lack of posting.  This was 100% unintentional.  Life.  It happens.  Life comes so fast before you know it, 8 months have passed and well life forgot to get recorded.

This story #4evertheDays has been one for the record books.  I would be lying if I said it has been a walk in the park - we ALL know better than that!

Some highlights of the year:

Mother's Day was one for the books.  It was a weekend getaway tying up some loose ends for our upcoming move to Florida.  Time with my parents, husband and all of the kids made it extra special.  This was Hunter's first mother's day with me and it was a huge blessing.  He hand picked me out a bracelet that says "Love you More".  Totally melted me!

We moved back to Florida!  Such a fun move - my house sold quickly and seamlessly (mostly).  School ended with a bang!  (I will post about my son graduating in a separate post).

Leaving these amazing people was one of the most difficult things I faced in 2017 - I still very much miss them all!

The summer was full of softball and long nights.

Father's Day was a lot of fun this year.  Luke having all of his babies with him made it extra special.  A man never knows how soft his heart is until his lap is full of his children.

July 4th weekend and week was fun.  Haley's boyfriend Tyler visited and my sister hosted the events of the evening.  We had an amazing time of laughter, fireworks, good food and lots of good company!

Right before school started, my sister Rebecca hosted the first annual Hatch Girl Retreat.  We had a great time of relaxing, shopping, pampering, cooking, eating and pouring time into each other.  Our baby sister is in Alaska and we hope to do 2018 with her!

A new school was embarked upon for our daughter, Haley.  Hunter stayed in his school and as usual, the first day was nerve wracking but they looked like a million bucks! ❤

Haley started playing volleyball with the varsity high school of RHS.  She enjoyed the season and made new friends!  She was the starting center and rocked the court after suffering a minor setback of a sprained ankle.

Hunter was able to do his first science fair project.  He was so very proud of it.  As all parents know - it takes teamwork (mom, dad and sister's help) to make science fair projects successful and let's just say, we did our part!

It was also the year of the eclipse!  So, Haley and Hunter worked together making a great way to see the eclipse with cardboard and seeing the moon through it.  So cool!

Florida life means hurricanes and this year did not disappoint.

When I Said I Do...

In all things timing is everything.  It is divine appointment.  As a child of the Risen King, I’m humbled daily at His grace and timing.  He and He alone has perfectly wonderful handiwork and timing! 

There are moments in my life where I literally wrecked into a tree – the biggest tree in the forest but somehow I found that one tree and wrecked right into it.  Other moments in my life I have sat under that tree enjoying the blessed life and the view.  This season of life is under the tree.  It is under the protection of the Living Father in heaven.  It is beautiful and blessed.

As you may well know, Luke and I were married in 1999.  It was a spur of the moment decision (story here).  It had its highs and lows and was very short lived.  In that time something was planted in us that we really didn’t understand until May of 2016.  In all things and all seasons life comes full circle.  No matter what you do – right or wrong, left or right – God brings back to you what He had for you since the beginning. 

 

As I previously shared the beginning of my new life with Luke, emotions were high and love was woken quickly (story is here).  In late summer last year we started a long process of Luke reinstating his legal rights and obligations to our daughter Haley.  This was a very long and drawn out process as these things are difficult to maneuver around – specifically when a biological parent returns after allowing a child to be adopted (this whole post will come at a later date).  Luke and I could not wait to get Haley renamed as Haley Day – for her and him to have that connection even on paper.  When I say these 2 are like peas and carrots – it pales into comparison to the big picture. 

  

January of this year Luke and I seriously talked about marriage.  We had already talked about when and where – how and place – but life was so busy there was no time to make definite plans.  For Christmas Luke surprised me and took the diamond from our original engagement ring and had it reset into a new setting with a new promise, “to love me wholly and without condition the way a husband loves a wife.”  When I realized he had done that and recommitted himself to me in that way the deepest parts of my soul were immediately filled up.  I could not wait to be his wife.  Our favorite saying is, “I just melted into a puddle”. 

Over the next couple of months we talked about our wedding.  We talked about where to have it and who to invite.  Ironically, through our attorney’s for Haley, we were encouraged to just plunge into the marriage – that our love was something everyone around us could see and feel.  So, we took that advice!

Recently I recovered from surgery…you can read that here.  Once we returned from the beach during my recovery, we did it – we got married.  We called a close family friend that we recently met through Haley’s adoption.  This man has been a pillar in getting our family back on track.  He has encouraged us and loved us.  He has listened and poured into us in all ways a mentor and friend can.  He has cheered us on and given us hope.  He has inspired us and spoke blessings over us.  On March 23, 2017, he met us at the football stadium in Opp Alabama and married us.  He stood before us as we exchanged vows, smiling and praising God with us for this second chance. 

Luke and I laughed at ourselves.  This time before we actually married I called momma to tell her.  She was also our biggest cheerleader.  My baby sister called me also over the moon for us and loved us and encouraged us!  We shared with the kids that we were going to have a ceremony with them and their little brother as soon as we had him for spring break and they were all so very excited. 

While standing in that stadium Wednesday, March 23^rd, the excitement and intimacy was so surreal.  The sun was bright – it was neither hot nor cold.  As we held hands in front of Mr. McGuire our hands trembled in each other’s – our eyes watered – our voices became shaky – our emotions flowed out of us with the biggest smiles on our faces.  As we said our vows, the inside of our bodies exploded in happiness and completeness – in all things the world was right!

As the marriage certificate was being filled out, right there in black and white was the address of our officiator.  King Street in Opp, Alabama.  in 1999 at King Street Baptist church we met.  May of 2016 we reunited on King Street in Andalusia.  This day, we were put back together on King Street.  Life has come full circle!

This day is wedding day – 3.23.2017

 

 

On April 9^th, our baby boy was now with us.  We spent the whole weekend at the beach celebrating.  He would turn 8 on April 20^th.  I’ll write another post about mine and his birthday’s and spring break.  Sunday, April 9^th we woke up early and began the day getting ready.  The dresses were bought, the shirts and shoes were ready – a blue thing, a new thing and an old thing was in tow.  An intimate wedding celebration of just Lucas and I with our 3 kids was celebrated. 

We both took time to prepare our own words and vows.  Since this is my blog, I’ll share my vows.  Luke will soon allow me to start writing his story – so be sure to stay tuned!!  This day could not have been more perfect.  The wind didn’t blow too hard – the kids woke up happy and ready – the waves were calm – the beach visitors cheered for us and celebrated with us.  We danced.  We laughed.  We loved.  We united.  We cheered.  We kissed.  We celebrated.  We cried.  We hugged.  We made memories.  We united.  We committed.  We came together as forever the Days #4everthedays .

One of the best moments for me was when my oldest son walked me down the isle.  He is so handsome, loving and kind.  His spirit is meek and his words are few but his heart is spot on.  He came to me and said, “mom, he’s (Luke) waiting for you.  I’m so happy for you and love you so much.  Oh, and he’s so nervous!”  As I fought tears I told him how much I loved him too and we laughed the whole way down the isle – he hugged me and gave me away.

 

Getting ready with my only daughter was extra special.  She is by far so beautiful and full of life.  She is full of words and her heart is as big as the ocean.  She helped me get dressed and told me I was beautiful. She had no hesitation in her excitement of her dad and mom being one again.  In these pictures her beauty and her love shines through – after all, she is the house that held our love all these years!

 

Watching baby boy Hunter stand with his dad waiting on me to take Luke’s hand was a precious moment.  He smiled at me and said “I’ve never been in a wedding before.”  I giggled and told him how handsome he looked.  When it was time to dance and take pictures he came up to me and hugged me again – he admitted he never danced with a girl before and I told him I’d dance with him anytime – it was important for a boy to know how to dance.  He laughed and asked, “is that why my dad dances with you all the time?” 

 

The day was beautiful and perfect.  I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Before the pictures, here are my vows to my husband, William Lucas Day

 

Lucas,

You are an answer to a prayer I forgot how to pray.  You have been a light to remind me that God still loves me and you help to show me that every day. And the truth is, I gave my heart away a long time ago, my whole heart, and I never really got it back.  I love you William Lucas Day and I’ll love you tomorrow and every day after that!

When I look into your crystal blue eyes I lose myself.  I feel your heart.  I can hear your thought.  I am thrilled, blessed and excited that you are now a forever part of my daily life.  It just makes sense in every single thought, plan, desire and way.  To say I love you seems so inadequate.  But I know that I was created to love you and be loved by you!

Being in love with you makes sense.   It brings joy, happiness, peace, contentment and sound mind.  It is beautiful and perfect.  Being in love with you is more than just the simple I love or I miss you – it is fulfilling, breathtaking, perfect, true, pure and forever.  It is the light in the morning and the goodnight’s rest each night.  It is the reason to smile and laugh.  It is the tears of joy and contentment.

I often find myself caught in thoughts.  Those thoughts are no longer silent, they speak.  They speak of love and life – happiness and joy.  They speak perfect and wonderful – together and forever.  They speak lifetime and eternity.  The speak Rachel and Lucas.

To know you is to love you.  To touch you is to desire you.  To hug you is to feel your soul.  To kiss you is to see your heart.

You are my voice of reason and my purpose for life.  You are my sounding board and my forever good morning.  You are my protector and life partner. 

You have opened a piece of me that I didn’t know existed.  I used to pray for a Christ-like love from a husband.  I had given up on that prayer.  The day you walked back into our lives, that piece of me began to wake up.  I can’t say the moment you hugged me the first time in 16 years I felt it, but it began to grow.  My promise to you long ago was to make sure Haley knew you loved her, and deep down I told myself that you loved me too.  Each day as our daughter grew, I saw you.  With each joke, smile, good day and bad day – I was able to love you.  Our daughter is the best parts of both of us.  Beautiful, hardheaded, vibrant, cherished, loving, giving, outgoing, a fighter, a lover, caring, daring and the perfect creation of me and you.  She is the house that was built to bring us here to this day, for this moment to cherish for the rest of our lives.  Her life has been the house for the love that we didn’t realize we had 17 years ago.  I can’t thank you or God enough for her.

Thank you for being the daddy Haley needs.  In her eyes, you are perfect.  A little rough around the edges, completely hilarious but she would have you no other way.  You are a completion of her inner being.    You love her just the way she is – and as much as I hate to admit it, she is also a daddy’s girl.  Her eyes light up when she talks about you.  You are her bandage wrapper and boo-boo fixer, her foot rubber and her bag of happiness wrapped up in jokes.  Her love for you is deep, pure, whole and cherished.  You are her hero and soundboard.  You are her today and tomorrow.  You are the gauge for her finding a man to love her wholly.

Our sons, Chandler and Hunter are very blessed to have a man like you to show them how to love a woman, how to fight and stand up for what is right, how to forgive others and love Jesus.  Chandler loves the time and long talks the two of you share.  He admires your inner strength and your total truth in all things.  He loves your love for me and our family.  Hunter loves your love for him.  He knows that no matter what, daddy is going to make everything better.  You pouring into them, loving them, and believing in who they are and what they were created to be is so humbling and breathtaking.  It is an honor to be your wife and their mom.

I love you more.  More today than yesterday – more tomorrow than today – more than any argument or disagreement– more than sickness – more than the world around us – more than sleeping late on the weekends – more than dove dark chocolate or even birthday cake – more than the words in the dictionary.  I love the way you look at me.  I love the way you hold me.  I love the way you say my name.  I love the way you believe in me.  I love the way you reassure me.  I love the way you are patient with me.  I love the way you grab my hand when I’m happy and when I’m sad.  I love the way you kiss me.  I love the way you see my soul.  I love the way you cheer me on. I love the way you hug me.  I love the way you tell me I’m beautiful.  I love the way you gently rub my face.  I love the simple gestures you do for me.  I love the way you make my coffee.  I love the way you cheer with me on the sidelines of a ballgame.  I love how you love our children.  I love that you stand up for us.  I love the way you talk about the kids.  I love the way you encourage the kids.  I love the way you are a dad.  I love how we debate but never fight.  I love that you came back.  I love that you love me and most importantly, I love the way you love me.  William Lucas, I am in love with you and I love you more than the waves in the ocean, and I’ll always love you more. 

Thank you for loving me and cherishing me.  Thank you for picking me up and putting me back together.  Thank you for helping me realize my worth as a woman.  Thank you for thinking I’m worth more and thank you for giving me your love – a love that is pure and unwavering, a love that is perfect and filling, a love that never gives doubt or hurt, a love that grows and wants to love me more tomorrow than today!

You've taught me that the honesty of a man starts within himself. You have shown me selfless love with no conditions. A love I've never known. A fairytale kind of love. A love where your only job is to do for the other, and this in turn will deliver the same feeling of satisfaction within.  No one can hold a candle to the love and happiness you have brought into my life. 

You took my soul with just one touch.  Loving you is an honor and something I cherish from the depth of my soul.  In you I have found the one my soul loves.  That’s exactly why I love you, because you love me.

I want to make you proud each and every single day.  Proud to be my husband, the mother of your children and the love of your life.  I want to make you proud of yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. 

So, today and forever I choose you.  I choose your love,  I choose your name.  I choose your side to stand beside.  I choose your forever.  I choose your daily dose of laughter.  I choose your crazy jokes.  I choose your crazy and sane.  I choose your happiness, good days and bad days.  I choose your words meant only for me.  I choose your simple gestures and beautiful flowers.   I choose your forever and always.  I choose your daily cup of coffee.  I choose your here and now, tomorrow and every day after that.  I choose you in sickness and health.  I choose your hand to hold and your back to rub.  I choose your belief in me and in us. I choose you for better or worse. I choose your daily hugs and countless kisses.  I choose your love that has no condition.  I choose you.  I, Rachel Elizabeth, promise to love you patiently, wholly, kindly, without envy or self-pride.  I promise to cherish you, speak to you in love, rejoice with you and love you in truth.  I promise to speak life into you daily.  I promise to daily love you with no condition.  I promise and vow to bear all things, believe in us always, pray for you daily, hope with you, enjoy life with you and endure all things with you.  I promise to kiss you good morning with each sunrise and kiss you goodnight with each sunset.  I promise to love you always and forever – from now until eternity with my whole heart, body and soul.

Vowing to love you for the rest of my life,

Your Wife,

Rachel Elizabeth Day