When You Think You Have It All Figured Out...

Everyone has some notion of how they picture their life to turn out. Many times, life turns out to be quite the opposite of what you were imagining.

I always wanted to get married at a young age. I don't know why but since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a young bride. I wanted to be a wife and mother. And for a long time I was afraid that would never happen. I wanted to get married young, but my logic told me that because that was what I wanted, I wouldn't get it. I would have to wait, or there wouldn't be a man who would want to spend eternity with me. That would be my challenge in life, at least that is what I thought.

I have never been one of the pretty or popular. In high school I went on a grand total of 4 dates, 3 of which I had to ask the boy. I asked a boy to a dance my junior year, and he said no. All of my friends were asked out on dates or to dances by our senior year, everyone but me. I saw myself as a girl boys will only look to as a friend, nothing more.

I began the year 2012 convinced I knew who I was going to marry. I would just have to wait two years, but it was only two years. There wasn't a chance in my mind I would get married before he returned from his mission. Boy's werent interested in me. I was in a dark place. I have never felt so alone or abandoned in my life. I felt like everything was falling apart. Now, I see why.

I knew deep down that I wasn't going to marry the missionary, but I was so afraid to let him go. I was so afraid that if I let him go, no one else would want me. I was afraid to be alone. But it had to be done, and I knew it. I also knew that I was falling in love...with Michael. The relationship I had with the missionary I thought was perfect, but looking back, we weren't a good fit for each other. My relationship with Michael is so different in every way. I I never questioned his feelings for me.

Before I knew it I was engaged. I was getting married. The three months of planning my wedding was so surreal. I was preparing for MY wedding day. I never even imagined that I would get married so young, I wanted too, but I honestly didn't think it would happen. And here I was, getting ready for my day.

Looking back at the last year I went from feeling so abandoned and alone, to the happiest I have ever been! I have changed what I am studying in school, and my family has grown so much! It has been a year of a lot of changes for me. I have changed, I am a completely different person now than I was a year ago. If you were to tell me one year ago that in one year I would be married, I would have laughed in your face. But...here I am. Happily married and only 20 years old.

My point is sometimes things don't turn out they way you imagined. They turn out even better. So don't give up when your plans fall through, someone is watching over you, with a bigger plan in mind. And trust me, his plan is infinitely better than anything we could imagine.

I never imagined that I would be married at this point in my life, worrying about money and how to support ourselves while both attending school. But I am and I have never been happier.

I am so grateful my life didn't turn out the way I thought it would.

This is my life.

And I wouldn't change a thing.

Our Wedding Day

I guess it's time I actually write down my thoughts and feelings of my wedding day. So...here it goes!

I moved out of my apartment on December 20, two days before my big day. It was a hectic day but my sweet fiancé, mom, brother, and soon-to-be-in-laws came and helped me out! We packed up my belongings all morning, and cleaned all afternoon. I was going up to Bountiful that night and staying at my parents until our wedding. I got to spend a few hours alone with my sweetheart (which I always cherish), and then I had to leave. It was the last time I would see my love before we were married. It was the hardest goodbye I've ever had to say, but the sooner I left, the sooner we got married!

I ended up spending the day before our wedding with my family relaxing and making sure everything was ready for the big day. I spent the moring with my big brother at City Creek for a little Christmas shopping. I kept seeing the Salt Lake temple and thinking, I am getting married there TOMORROW! My sister Kristy flew in from Indiana that afternoon and I spent the evening with my mom and sisters doing our nails in a little Allred girls pre-wedding tradition. It was so surreal that I was getting married the next day! I couldn't wrap my mind around it. I had been imagining what my wedding day would be like since I was a little girl. I mean what little girl doesn't daydream about her wedding day now and then? I imagine at one point or another every little girl does...it is a part of being a girl. I couldn't believe it was my reality! I couldn't sleep that night. I was WAY too excited (mixed with a few nerves)! I barely talked to Michael all that day so we talked on the phone that evening. It did wonders to calm me down. I love that boy with all my heart--he makes everything better. I don't know when or how I even fell asleep but the 6 o'clock hour came way too soon. I jumped out of bed, showered, shaved, and started the portion of my makeup I was in charge of (eyeliner and mascara, the only makeup I do on a regular basis).

*Side note: I like to watch movies while I get ready, I like the back ground noise. What movie did I choose to get ready to on my wedding day? Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Fun Fact: this is also the movie I listened to as I got ready before I went through the temple for the first time a week earlier.

My amazing sister Stacy came up early and did my hair and helped me with my makeup. I cannot thank her enough because I have never felt more beautiful! It was so perfect and just what I had wanted. I kept looking at myself in the mirror and thinking that I looked like a bride! I then made sure, several times, that we had my dress, veil, recommend, temple bag, and everything else I needed for the day! And then we were off! The entire car ride I was grinning from ear to ear. I WAS GOING TO GET MARRIED!!!!

I rode to the temple with my mom and dad. We met Michael and his dad, Jose, at the temple. They arrived at the temple before us, but took the long way to get inside the temple so we were inside the temple before them. All the temple workers kept asking me where my groom was! As I was sitting in the temple waiting for my groom, I couldn't believe I was hours away from getting MARRIED! Talk about the most surreal feeling of my life! I saw Michael for the first time that day, looking as handsome as ever, and I knew without a doubt that he was the man for me! I have never been so sure of anything in my life! I have never been happier than I was that day. We filled out the paperwork before the ceremony and then we parted to get ready for the ceremony. We were reunited in the celestial room of the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. It was so nice having the time alone together to sit and reflect and prepare ourselves for the covenants we were about to make. The spirit was so strong and again I knew I was making the right decision. Michael was the man my Father in Heaven wanted me and needed me to marry. We sat holding hands, waiting for our turn to be sealed. I'm not going to lie, it was a LONG wait! Or at least it seemed like forever, because I was just so excited and so ready to be his wife! It was finally our turn and we entered the room we were to be married in. We were surrounded by our families and friends. It could not have been more perfect. I honestly cannot remember what the sealer said, I was too overcome with love for the man beside me and the spirit of my Father in Heaven. It was so perfect, simple and short. Before I knew it...I was finally MRS. FONSECA! We hugged our family and I left my husband to put on my perfect dress (I absolutely LOVE my dress. When I was dress shopping and tried on my dress everyone in the room knew that was the dress I was going home with. I lit up when I put it on)!

I put my dress on, did touchups on my hair and makeup, and made sure I looked as perfect as I possibly could. I then went to find my husband (it took me a while to get used to that, calling him my husband, but I loved being able to finally call him that). I was a little nervous for Michael to see me. He hadn't seen my dress. At all. No pictures, no discriptions...nothing. I turned the corner and there he was. My man. The look on his face when he saw me was more than I could have hoped for. It was just like the movie 27 Dresses. Perfect. He told me I was so beautiful and my heart melted because I knew he meant it. We then went outside where our loved ones were waiting to see the new Mr. and Mrs. Let the celebrations begin!



We got many hugs and shed a few tears. My best friend (since birth) made the long trip from Cedar City to come to my wedding. It meant so much having her there. I honestly don't know if I could have had my perfect day without her. We have been through so much together and she knows me better than anyone!



When we decided to get married in December, we were really nervous about what the weather would be like. It turned out to be a gorgeous day! It was the warmest it had been in several days and the sun was shining! It was really windy though, which made it pretty cold at times (just my arms and hands were cold) but we can't complain. It really was the perfect day. It doesn't really look like December does it?

 

We left the temple and drove to the reception center. We stopped and got some food before we had to be at the reception center. We stopped at a Wendy's close by because nothing says romance like Wendy's! Am I right? (We actually went to Wendy's because by the time pictures at the temple finished up we were short on time and needed something quick to eat). We then went to the reception center and I got back in my dress. We took more pictures and then people began coming! It was so amazing to see all the love and support we received! We had several people show up even though it was a little far to travel and so close to Christmas. We felt so loved! We stood in line and talked to our friends and family. Then it was time we cut the cake! We didn't really eat it, mostly just shoved it on each others faces. Looking back, we don't remember ever actually eating/tasting any of our cake.



After we cut the cake it was time for the bouquet and garter toss! I was joking with my best friend Lilly before the bouquet toss that it was coming for her! After I tossed the bouquet and looked back, I was surprised and amused to see that Lilly had actually caught it! My sister later told me that it headed straight for Lilly and no one else had a chance. (Looking back I love that she caught it because she is actually getting married next week!)



Next it was time for Michael to get the garter. I have never blushed so much in my life!



Before I knew it our day was over! I couldn't believe how fast it all went. Most of it seems like such a blur. It was such a whirlwind of emotions! I have never been happier in my life. I was sealed for time and all eternity to the greatest man in the entire world. He was mine and I was his in every way possible. It was the best feeling in the world knowing that nothing could separate us now. I felt the spirit so strong and knew I made the right decision.

December 22, 2012 will forever go down as the best day of my entire life. No doubt about that. My wedding day was more than I ever dreamed of!!! We've been married for over 6 months now! It is so crazy it's already been 6 months! It seems just like yesterday! It has been the best 6 months of my life! And I look forward to an eternity with Michael by my side!



*Funny story: Sunday we were getting ready for church and Michael realized he didn't have his dress shoes. We panicked because we had no clue where they were. We called my parents and found out he had left them at the reception center when he had changed and they had taken them home. Then my parents informed me that they remembered to grab Michael's shoes, but left MY WEDDING DRESS at the reception center! I'm glad they remembered the shoes at least. Haha. :)