And Forward I Go...

Wow! A whole 8 months has passed since I last visited this blog. As I wrote in my previous post in February, I have reached a point in my life where HIV no longer affects my daily thoughts, actions, or life in general.

And now, I may shock my readers with how much I've moved forward in the last 8 months...get ready...

On May 25, 2014, my boyfriend proposed to me. The specific timing and location of the proposal came as a surprise, although the proposal itself was not too unexpected. We had been discussing it for a few months, and had a solid understanding and belief of where our relationship was taking us and the future we both envisioned together. So, needless to say, I said YES!

We both agreed that there was no need for a lengthy engagement. We were serious in our love, commitment, and decision to spend our lives together. So, we chose our date, and immediately went forward with the planning. So I spent my summer months working through all the tedious tasks of wedding planning... making and sending out Save the Dates (and later the Invitations), finding a dress, caterer, DJ, photographer, etc. Fortunately, I did not work during the summer and had lots of time to dedicate to the planning... in between our vacations of course. (We managed to squeeze in a 7 day trip to Punta Cana and a 7 day trip to Hawaii this summer!)

When August, and the start of the new school year approached, I prepared to go back to work again. This involved a new school, as well as a promotion. At the same time, we also happened to be knee deep in house hunting.

By September 1st, I had started my new job, he had merged with a larger company and started his new job, we purchased and moved into a brand new home, and we were just about done with the wedding plans! As you can imagine, it was a time with lots of changes and lots of stress. But, we held tight to each other, pushed forward, and made it on through...

 On October 25, 2014, I married my best friend and love. We had a beautiful backyard ceremony and reception with 60 of our closest family and friends. The whole day went perfectly and in my husband's words "was way better than I ever even imagined it would be". From the weather, to the decorations, to the food and photography... all the details came together to make for a magical evening. We rounded out the week with a stay at the beach for a few days. Although, our real honeymoon is scheduled for Christmas Break, when we are taking a 7 day Caribbean cruise. We are now at home happily starting our life as a married couple. Life is good.

 If you happen to be reading this and are in a time of struggle, please have faith that you can move forward. No matter what you may be dealing with right now, I hope you can reach deep down and find the strength to keep going. Don't look back. Don't focus on what is or what has been. Just look forward and know that there is always more ahead of you. Stay positive (wink wink), and just keep going, one step at a time. I did it. And you can too.