Each and every day I pause to remind myself who and what makes me thankful and grateful. These last few years have been challenging as my family has become smaller. I lost my Opa, my cousin Tessa and I had to put my dad in a home. Each left a hole in my heart that I still struggle to fill. Letting go of my people sits heavy.
My dad’s mental health journey has tested my mental health in ways I never knew existed. Putting him in a home and parting with his belongings hurt my heart. I still question if I made the right decisions even though I know in my heart I did. I always dreamed of what it would be like when Papa retired. The boy and I had many fun plans dreamed up. While I am grateful my dad is alive I am saddened by his quality of life. I live for the small moments during our visits where I can see the man who used to sit beside me on fun road trips. The glimpse of the dad I once knew. The happiest passenger in a Caddy! We struggled our whole lives to build a relationship, we both didn’t always agree on each other’s decisions but at the end of the day he is my dad and I did my best to have a relationship with him. I am thankful he still knows who I am and no matter the day he always hugs me and tells me he loves me I will never be ready for the day I no longer have that.
This year for Thanksgiving I didn’t see any of my actual family. Everyone had different plans. We ended up going to see the in-laws for an amazing country day that filled our hearts and stomachs. As I sat around the table I am so thankful for my new family, for the laughter, good food, and never ending views.
With each year that I age I am more and more grateful for those who love and support me and those who gather for meals. This started with my grandparents and I hope it continues long after I am a grandma.
I tried to show my thanks and how grateful I am for my people when wedding planning. Weddings are labled the brides day but I wanted to share how grateful I am for each and everyone who showed up.
When I wrote my vows I think it summed up my thankful heart. I started my vows by making a joke at my sister Shelly. I adore my sister and I couldn’t imagine life without her. When I was a single mom she was right there with me figuring it out, when I needed help with dad she never complained she always showed up. She planned the funnest bachelorette party with our other sissy Sarah and it was the perfect day. I am thankful for the years we have been sisters. I laughed when she tried to help me write my vows to be fair I was behind. I had an idea of what I wanted to write. I just had not yet sat down to write. We may have had a few drinks when she attempted to help me. She kept writing Dear Allan and then she didn’t know what to write so when I sat down to write without thinking I wrote Dear Allan and started to laugh. They went from tears of laughter, tears of sadness to tears of my heart not being able to contain the love I feel. I will share with you the vows I wrote and said without messing up! Some of the things I said only my husband would understand and I knew they would make him smile.
“Dear Allan (I just want to admit Shelly helped me write that part of my vows but the rest is from my heart)
You are my unicorn, the same brand weird, my soft place to land and I have never felt so secure and more at home as I am with you. I am able to fully be myself when we’re together. I appreciate all the time you put into our relationship. I love you soy much!
I grew up watching my Opa and Gran overcome and build what I think was the most amazing and cutest love story. They embraced all that came their way with open honest communication and they never gave up on each other; they always worked things out. This was always something I wanted and something I never found in another person until you came into my life. My Opa always told me looks fade but personality and the way someone treats you is forever. I have always been terrified of spending forever with the wrong person but with you I am confident and I know I am making the right decision. I happily take you as my forever.
The way you not only added to my life but the way you bonded with D and have become BOYS! warm my heart to a level I never knew existed. You came into our little family like you always belonged. You didn’t just get my heart, you got Dans too.
Thank you for refinding me! I am still shocked after all this time that my person is Allan, Allan from PA who would have known! Our lives crossed paths so many times over the years from childhood into adulthood and I whole heartedly agree that this is our time and we are making our dreams come true. I can’t wait to spend forever with you as my husband. To always communicate openly and honestly to never stop learning and growing with you. To always hold hands through whatever comes our way together. I know with you no matter what life throws at us we can figure it out together. I choose you today and every day forward in every lifetime. Here’s to all the memories we’re going to create hand in hand.
We the Davis’ are excited to become the Mitchell family.”
I am thankful for all the years as a Davis and I am excited to experience the next years as a Mitchell. I am thankful for my son who always signs up for the next adventure with me. I am thankful for my family and friends standing beside me throughout my life. I am thankful for my new family who just feel like they have always been family. I am thankful for all the heartbreaks and lessons learned to make me into the wife I always wanted to be. I am thankful for good health and my memories. I am thankful each and every day I am given to live my purpose. I am thankful for the small moments each day that allowed me to reflect on how thankful and grateful I am to be living this life. Thank you all for being a part of this journey!