The Mormon Cliché

Note to Self:

Remember how you planned to go to school, date around, just have some fun? And then, you met him. And now you're a Mormon Cliché.

So . . . life happens. Last year when I went to college I was in a much different place than I am now. I was 18 years old, leaving home for the first time. I was leaving behind all of the people and things and places I knew, to completely start over. And I had a plan . . . well, I thought I did. 

Basically I was just going to go to school. Hopefully get a job just for some extra cash, but my scholarship covered almost everything. I just wanted to have a chill year, you know? Make some friends, go out on some dates, really just have a good time. I didn't want to get serious with anyone and there was NO WAY I was even going to think about getting married . . .

And now I've become a Mormon Cliché.

Here I am, 19 years old, a ring on my finger, and a wedding in 30 days. Yup. People think I'm crazy. To be perfectly honest, sometimes I think I'm crazy. Maybe I am, maybe we all are. Who can say what is crazy and what isn't? Don't worry, I won't get all philosophical (I wouldn't know how) but it's just a thought. 

Stefen and I are definitely crazy. Separate and most certainly together. I'll be the first to tell you that Stefen is not the guy I thought I was going to marry. Don't worry, I'm not going to cause marital strife before the marriage even begins by telling you this, because he'll admit that I'm not the girl he thought he was going to marry either. So, surprise! What's really crazy, though, is that we are exactly what each other needed. 

In a lot of ways we are very, very opposite. At the same time, we're the same in all the right ways. We balance each other out in so many aspects. And, most importantly, we are ourselves together. We have been from the beginning and that's what's gotten us this far. Stefen has broken down almost every wall I've ever built (and I've built a lot). He's seen me at my highest and my lowest for sure. As cliché as it sounds, he truly knows me better than I know myself. 

Don't get me wrong, some days he drives me insane and I know I frustrate him in ways I'm sure he never imagined possible. We disagree and have arguments. We are imperfect people. And that is OK. 

Almost a year ago I wrote a blog post about the kinds of boys you'll come across in your life: the good, the bad, and the ugly. And then, I added one more category:

"And that category is "him." And he's different. Because he's not going to be perfect . . . but he's going to be perfect for you. He's going to do things that drive you crazy. He's going to say things that you wouldn't believe. He's going to make you listen to his music in the car. He's going to like to do things that you may despise. But at the same time, he's going to be there for you in ways no one ever has before. He's going to somehow say and do all the right things when you need them. He's going to make you laugh and smile. He's going to be the reason for your good days and the one you go to on your bad days. He's the one who knows every little thing about you and will never take advantage of that. He'll be the one that when he leaves you miss him like crazy, but it still feels like he's there with you. He'll make you want to be a better you, and help you to do that. He'll support you in everything. He'll help you grow and learn. He'll watch chick flicks with you. And even better, he'll let you watch Bride Day on TLC. ;)

The hardest part about "him" though, is that he can change. Because we change. There can be a "him" at one point in your life and then you grow up and change and now "him" is someone else. But if this is true, then how do we ever find that special someone? I'll tell you what I believe:

I believe that someday you will find a "him" that is different from the other ones. This one is different in the way that when you change . . . you change TOGETHER. And in this way, he can be your "him" and you can be his "her" forever."

Ladies and gentleman, I know that I have found my "forever him," and I pray every day that I'm becoming the woman who deserves to be his "forever her." 

Maybe I am crazy to get married at 19 . . . but I've learned that crazy doesn't have to be a bad thing. It can be a completely wonderful adventure if you let it be. 

God has a plan and I know that this is part of His plan for me. I can't tell you why, but I can tell you how grateful I am. I can tell you how perfectly imperfect this last year has been. I can tell you that none of my plans worked out, and I am so happy that they didn't. Finally, I can tell you that I have no problem whatsoever being a Mormon Cliché.



THIS POST WAS INSPIRED BY KELSEY BERTEAUX'S ARTICLE: http://ldsliving.com/story/76536-married-at-19-worth-every-lost-experience

THANK YOU BETHANY FOR SHARING THIS WITH ME :)

ANOTHER GOOD ARTICLE BY A TEENAGE BRIDE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natasha-craig/what-i-gave-up-the-day-i-_b_5001583.html