so thankful

i have never been good with words, and i get even worse when i try to talk about things that really mean a lot to me. they never seem to pass my lips with as much power or sincerity as i hope they would. i feel i often seem to "kill" my most precious thoughts and feelings by saying them out loud. i never do them justice.

there are a lot of things that mean a lot to me in this life. people, teachings, truths, and examples of love that touch me, strengthen me, or remind me of what i truly know to be the most important things in this earth life. 

for the past few years, as my life has taken on a new chapter with jon, i have had the wonderful chance to reflect on my life thus far. 

many times as i have looked back at my childhood, adolescence, and young adult years i am overwhelmed by feelings of such gratitude and joy. (something that jon has lovingly decided to call my "happy breakdowns" -he has witnessed a particularly bad one....) however, of course i do not think that i would feel so if i had not also had my own share of struggles and challenges that life brings with it. 

and there are two people that i will forever be so thankful for. i credit the joy i am often overwhelmed with to my parents. overwhelmed by the love they have for me. that they show and share with me. 

i carry with me their examples and hope to one day emulate that in my own family. 

sweethearts since their jr. year in high school. their love for one another is reason alone to look up to these two.