Yosemite Vow Renewal (pt. 1)

It all started with a spontaneous hug after a group outing that caught us both so off guard and it left my head spinning in circles. That was the moment I knew he was mine. If you had told me on day one the journey we would walk those first few years, I wouldn’t have believed you. And, if you had told me in January 2018 that we would continue to walk this wild journey together, I would have laughed and said there’s no way. It’s been one hell of a ride, but if I’ve learned anything, it would be this – disappointments are inevitable, but honesty is a choice worth making.

It was May of 2022, walking on a beach in Florida, and what could have been just an average moment of chaos with two little boys squealing and running with delight, became a spark of hope and a moment of clarity. A new hope was born out of the thought what could be if I showed up and chose to press fully into the life I was living. Stop holding back that last 10%. Give my heart over again 100%.

During the year that followed we dreamed, we planned, we learned, we continued to hold on to a faith bigger than our understanding and we kept all of this dream a secret between ourselves and the sweetest wedding photographer/planner.

That 3:30AM wake up call came early after a full day of travel the day before, but it was worth every single moment of lost sleep.

Sunrise at Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park, California, USA

September 25, 2023. Our 7th wedding anniversary and the first day of the rest of our forever.

No preacher. No officiant. No guest. Just each other and Jesus.

The simplicity of the morning and way it was ours, I can’t explain just how redemptive it felt to stand there together 7,214 feet up in the mountains. The crisp, cool morning air. The sun coming up over those mountains tops. Those excited wedding nerves I didn’t expect to feel again. Surrounded by the evidence of God’s goodness and greatness. The grandure of His creation spoke for itself. And maybe that’s the incredible value of an elopement, no expectations, just the things that are most meaningful to you and your experience. Justin and I each asked one person who knows our story fully and has played an influential role in our lives to write a letter that we could read together during our vow renewal. I will treasure these letters and the words they spoke over us forever.

The Blessing with Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes played over and over throughout this special day. It’s lyrics the prayer of our hearts. It was so important for us to include Jesus into this day, to acknowledge that none of this, none of us, would exist without him. To acknowledge the Father’s love that will remain no matter season, no matter the circumstance. To acknowledge all the ways He is writing our story.

And this is where I wish I could say it’s a success story, but who’s defining success and who’s to say it doesn’t all fall apart tomorrow. I really believe we’re just living on holy middle ground. Experiencing the kindness of God while also acutely aware that our daily choices WILL impact the outcome of our lives, our relationship, our family, and the legacy we pray to leave behind. It’s a day by day journey, leaning into Jesus, holding onto hope, living out love.

I don’t know what your story is. I don’t know what your redemption story will look like. But, I do hope you never quit fighting for the beautiful life you envision. It won’t be easy. It won’t always feel like a dream. Fighting for it will for sure make you want to quit. I hope you keep fighting anyway. When it’s good. When it’s bad. When it’s hard. When it’s unknown. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. Keep believing you are worth every effort you put in. Keep fighting for all that is good.

Here I am on the edge of the world with you, and we’re going to make it to forever after all.