Day 296.

Dear New Husband,

Tonight, we ring in a New Year. And we rang it in with what I would consider to be our Best Palzz here in Dallas. I know, Best Palzz is not the most correct, exciting or adult term to use in reference to adult friends of ours, but, well, I couldn't think of anything more witty or exact. Plus, the four of us are sort of done being adults for a little bit. So Best Palzz it is.

Though these letters are for you, many people have told me how much they enjoy reading this, as well as my honesty about the joys and sorrows of marriage. To all of those who have told me how much they enjoy and appreciate my honesty, I say thank you. I don't consider myself a brave or important or a person that lives a valuable or big life, but I hope that by documenting our journey as newlyweds I show that this marriage business is tough stuff; its not an answer to a problem or a question, its a choice. Marriage certainly makes life more rich, therefore I'm glad to be honest that being rich in marriage requires being rich in humor, faith, patience, forgiveness, respect and enduring affection.

As we begin 2013 I hope its as sweet as 2012, but more wise than 2012. I hope we can continue to bravely blaze this trail of honesty in marriage. 2012 was timeless - it was the year we got married, the year we traveled to secret places on the Earth that few have seen or heard of, the year we moved into two different residences, the year we faced a lot of tribulation, the year you started graduate school and the year I finished graduate school. 2012 has been wonderful, but dear one - I know the best is yet to come.

Especially since we realized we have leftover sparklers from our wedding that we can light up tonight. Hooray! Everyone wins with scars and firework accidents!

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 295.

Dear New Husband,

Today, was a day of compromise.

A day with using gift cards and movie passes to go see Les Miserables, AND watching the Cowboys v. Redskins game.

A day of cleaning and tidying up the rest of the mess that is still residing in our apartment, AND watching the Colts v. the Texans.

Marriage high five.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 294.

Dear New Husband,

Today, we had a lot on our to do list. Including getting my car's [Victor Hugo the Honda] brakes check and an oil change for your car. As well as several different items that had just fallen in the cracks in between finishing graduate school, graduating, Mexico, Christmas, etc.

Then we both treated ourselves for our semi-hard work. For me, that included dinner and an outlet trip with a hands down, all time favorite o' mine. For you, that included dinner by yourself at Chipotle and buying the new iPhone at Sam's. . . . .

How we ever fell in love, I'll never know. But I'm thankful that we know how to have independent fun, then reconvene for some quality time, marathoning through episodes of The West Wing.

Maybe we should send a Christmas card to Aaron Sorkin. And to Netflix for having The West Wing on streaming.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 293.

Dear New Husband,

After realizing we had some things at work that were time sensitive, we decided to drive back to Dallas today. I always leave my parents house wishing we could spend way more time there than either of our schedules allow, but I think that's a good thing; I don't dread going, and I dread leaving. I am fortunate.

So we traveled back across state lines to our home - an overflowing snail mail box, dirty laundry, several piles of unattended belongings from our Mexico trip, and other neglected responsibilities. The vacation had to end sometime!

But I still can't bear to take down our Christmas stuff. Maybe, if we pretend enough, it will still be Christmas until the end of January. Right? Right. Delusion is in the spirit of Christmas, right? I mean, Santa Claus is still a thing!

Just let me have this one.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 292.

Dear New Husband,

Another relaxing day, that ended with us going to go play a game of trivia to support a dear friend's ministry.

This trivia game reminded me of how ultra competitive we are [i.e. ME] and how we really should read more random factoids. . . So we can win trivia competitions in restaurants.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 291.

Dear New Husband,

Today was spent much like our days in Mexico were spent: Reading books. Although, tonight we ended our evening with viewings of Jack Ryan movies, instead of shame eating desserts we had ordered from room service.

Enjoying this vacation and quality time with you and my family. Its the quiet, peaceful moments that are my hands down favorite. Except those moments where we're screaming at our sports teams. Those are hands down favorites too. But only when they win.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 290.

Dear New Husband,

I should have known better than to expect snow today. The local meteorologists made it sound as though we would have a white Christmas. And then we didn't. Those rats. Meanwhile, its down pouring snow where we live. The horror.

But Merry Christmas anyways! You have experienced our family Christmas and lived to tell the tale! We open all our presents, watch the movies we all received for Christmas [Unfortunately, we didn't get to watch yours - you too cool for school Blu-Ray chap, you], eat Christmas lunch/dinner, then we usually go out to see a movie. This year's offering: The Hobbit.

It is so sweet to get to spend this holiday with you, so you can see my family's traditions, as well as become more part of our family 'gang'. Except we don't have any gang colors or tattoos. Not yet, at least.

Merry Christmas, El Huz!

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 289.

Dear New Husband,

Merry Christmas Eve! We spent the first portion of our Christmas Eve in the car, traveling to my parents so we could spend Christmas with the majority of my family.

And not surprisingly, we have had a most excellent day all day. How can anyone ever be in a poor mood when its Christmas?!

I'm very much enjoying having you here, celebrating our first Christmas as husband and wife with my family. A true joy that I am soaking up with every moment, every joke, and every laugh - especially the laughs that occur during very somber and serious moments, like Christmas Ever service. Whoops.

Thanks for always being fun, even when you're sleepy.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 288.

Dear New Husband,

We started the day here.

And finished our day here, celebrating our first Christmas together.

Merry First Christmas, El Huz! Thanks for the popcorn popper!! I'm overjoyed. And not just about the popcorn popper.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 287.

Dear New Husband,

I cannot believe that today is our last day. It seems as though we just got here.

And, naturally, we spent all of today sitting out by the pool, where I victoriously finished the first Harry Potter book for a second time and sunburned my feet. MY FEET. Of all things. Sheesh.

But we finished our trip off with a second dinner at our favorite restaurant on the property, and enjoyed discussing every detail of our trip. True quality time and sweet moments with you, darling one.

Thank you for planning this trip with me, for celebrating with me, and being just as excited as I was/am for spending time together, sharing this adventure and not being too annoyed when I keep singing "I got two tickets to paradise! Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!"

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 286.

Dear New Wife,

First of all, I'm surprised by how early we have gone to bed and how early-ish we have been waking up on our vacation. I guess our relaxed selves are actually 80+ years of age instead of mid-to-late 20's.

Today we toured the property for a sales pitch for buying into a vacation system. We didn't buy into the system - we just went for the free beach massage. And man. Oh man. Was that worth the 90 minutes we spent listening to why we need to travel NOW.

A relaxing 50 minutes of our afternoon was spent getting massages on the beach. Listening to the waves crash on the beach, with a cool breeze blowing, and hearing the bones in our bodies crack back into the right places. What a day to celebrate the Mayan End of the World. If that's what the end of the world holds, then I'll take more please.

However, we encountered the Mayan End of the World at dinner. Blech. We've eaten some pretty terrible things, but that was the pits. Here's to room service. Cheers, End of the World.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 285.

Dear New Husband,

We actually did something today! We adventured out to a nearby eco-park [Which, I'm still not sure what exactly that is. . . Maybe a natural park?] so we could zip-line, swim in a cenote [Which is a cave that has a swimming hole in it. Swimming hole; my Oklahoma is showing], and explore some caves.

Since pictures say 1,000 words, here are a couple of thousands of words to express how fun of a day we had. Despite the awful American tourists that were extra bossy pants, much to our grief and dismay.

Catfishies.

Sexy diaper floaties.

We only explore caves wearing the latest fashion trends.

And then we cleaned ourselves up and finished the day with this:

Dinner.

And a really strange tasting strawberry Bellini.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 284.

Dear New Husband,

Well. We successfully had a complete day with no meetings, no Concierge service to go talk to, generally no responsibilities at all. I mean. Seriously. This is our lives and our view right now:

What the heck?

Another day spent in the sun, AND NO SUNBURNS. I know this may seem like a small thing, but with Scottish and Irish roots, its a miracle I can even go outside. 

But I've enjoyed this quiet relaxation, complete with my Harry Potter book and your Tom Clancy manifesto novel when our only concern is how much sunscreen we are applying and our biggest dilemma is where to eat dinner. We are always blessed, but this trip reminds me how much we have been given.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 283.

Dear New Husband,

First full day in Mexico, and we didn't get sunburns!! Its the personal victories that I tend to treasure the most.

It was nice just to enjoy time by the ocean, and the pool, just enjoying books and the gorgeous weather here. I could get used to being waited on hand and foot. Although, its going to make going home a little more arduous. Please be gracious with me if we come home and I ask for a bottle of water and a Pina Colada. . . I over adapt to my climates.

I did throughly enjoy walking out of the evening 'show' when we found out that it was audience participation night. Audience participation nonsense? Nope, we're out.

Also, Apple really needs to work on how harsh the photo flash on the iPhone is. Sheesh.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 282.

Dear New Husband,

Here we are in such a gorgeous place in the world, shame ordering room service in our 'all inclusive' resort.

But seriously, the food portions are kind of small here when you're used to the globs and globs of food that is placed on your plate in American restaurants such as Pei Wei. I mean, seriously. Have you seen those portion sizes?!

However, I am very happy to be here with you. And that you're an accomplished travel companion that I know won't bring in any rookie items through security like hand sanitizer or bottled water.

Excited to be here with you and so glad that I always get to have adventures with you.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 281.

Dear New Husband,

What a day we have had today. What a journey is over, and what big of an adventure still awaits. Starting tomorrow. With a much needed vacation to Mexico.

Thank you for being you - for being the level head when I fly off the handle, for being the logic when my passions and zest drives me nuts or to overreact, and for always communicating how cute I look, even when I feel like a nasty, drab lady.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 280.

Dear New Husband,

A very exciting day indeed - my bestie & her El Huz, and my parents are in town to celebrate me graduating with my Master's.

AND YOU BOUGHT ME AN iPAD YOU STINKER. As I continually tinker with this new piece of technology, I want you to know that you are so loved, even without the immense gifts of love you buy for me. Though I am excited to use this and play way too much Fruit Ninja on it, I dearly love the bottle of win you got; a bottle of wine from the vineyard we visited on our honeymoon.

Speaking my love languages all over the place! Thankful for your thoughtfulness and generosity, even with the sacrifice it brings.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 279.

Dear New Husband,

Playing hookie & driving to go see The Hobbit with some favorites of ours was so delectable. A great way to spend a Friday with you.

Also, I feel like a failure for not being able to proclaim that I had actually read the book before I watched the movies - my inner nerd-ness and terrible need to show how amazing I am at things such as reading books before they became movies is pretty rotten. Not gonna lie.

But thanks for continuing to love me and buying me mounds of movie theater popcorn, slathered in fake butter substances, that will inevitably make me feel gravely ill, and for always sharing the middle seat with me. You are a treasure, dear one.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 278.

Dear New Husband,

Despite the movie we went to go see ended up being a dud [Playing for Keeps, in case anyone was wondering, is pretty 'meh' - wait for Redbox], I enjoyed venturing to the new 'Bar & Grill' movie theater that has opened up down the street from us. The seats were comfy, but they are so obviously learning how to provide service in a very dimly lit movie theater.

One of your sweetest qualities is how gracious you are to businesses that have just opened. You are so polite when the service is somewhat terrible, and are incredibly patient with wait staff that is trying to figure out how to serve food and drinks in between rows and rows of moviegoers that are silently, yet passive aggressively, munching on their "tardy" food.

In those moments, I'm so proud to be your wife. Rather than hitch my wagon to a man that is openly complaining about the service, you somehow seem to find a bright spot and encourage how to improve. As we strolled back to our car, you even talked about how you wanted to come back, when I know there were others that did not share your optimistic view. You make me proud and inspire me to bite my tongue.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 277.

Dear New Husband,

Well. We ripped off the band-aid and saw how much we owe in student loans. . . Ugh. Sticker shock.

But I'm thankful for your level head as I tried to convince you we need to liquidate everything we own in order to pay it all off - which in hindsight would have been a horrible idea.

Thankful for you, your willingness to help and for always trying to be the best cheerleader and solution finder there is. . . As per usual, you da best.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 276.

Dear New Husband,

My first day as a 'Master's Graduate' [Well, technically its my first day. I haven't officially graduated yet, but I've completed all the coursework!] and I go into work as I have neglected work for what seems like months. I know that 'months' is not true - but I love my job and hate that I have had to put it on the back burner these past few weeks. 

And then you made it to the finals of your basketball intramural league! We won't talk about the outcome of the game, but I'm so proud that you guys made it to the finals! It may be just intramural's, but its still important to you, which makes it even more important to me.

Sweet, simple day - complete with pizza because hey, sometimes you gotta neglect all those leftovers for hot, fresh junk food. C'est la vie.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 275.

Dear New Husband,

Okay, now I am actually finished with graduate school, as I do not have any more classes to attend. Ever.

And, its our 9 month anniversary! Congratulations on spending 9 months with an absolute type A over achiever!

But I am relieved, excited and sad that this chapter is closing. I probably could have stayed in grad school forever. I cannot help myself. I love academics. . . Maybe a little too much. It might be considered unhealthy.

A big thank you goes out to you for supporting me so well these last few weeks and encouraging me to finish strong.

And thank you for celebrating in a way of my choosing: With bubbles, popcorn and sweet quality time.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 274.

Dear New Husband,

I am so incredibly proud of you for finishing your half marathon today! You inspire me with your athleticism and dedication to perseverance, even though your body was begging you to stop at a couple of points.

Plus, I'm so glad I got such a prime spot so you could give me a drive-by smooch right before you crossed the finish line. You're such a sweet romantic, dear one.

But I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished - the dedication you put into this race is inspiring. Thanks for letting me be part of your story!

Such a tired hunk.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 273.

Dear New Husband,

A day spent running errands. . . Which was a recipe for disaster. Sometimes, life is not as fun as we would like, but I love that we know how to make up and move on in a healthy manner. Thanks for always sticking it out with me and trying to see what life is like from my side of the world.

And, what started out as going to run some more errands following dinner [Delicious roast beef recipe that my Momma taught me the last time she was here] ended up going to look at Christmas lights in a neighborhood where Clark Griswold resides.

Spur of the moment little adventures like that is one of the reasons why marrying you was such a wonderful idea.

That and you don't make me look like the only ridiculous person in a photo. But really, we get easily excited about Christmas.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 272.

Dear New Husband,

A moderately busy day. A morning of meetings, being incredibly overwhelmed by the amount of study materials I have to take for my licensing exam, but still being relieved that the finish line is near.

Again, another evening at home, complete with a homemade dinner - but this is how I want to spend my Friday night. I want to spend it with you, addressing Christmas cards and watching Christmas movies. Nothing is more relaxing than a quiet evening at home [Which lets be honest, we seldom have gotten the last couple of weeks] and enjoying simple pleasures.

Thanks for always being up to being slightly agoraphobic with me.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 271.

Dear New Husband,

A mental health day for me as I celebrate the first day 'off' that I have had in a very long time. Granted, I got bored pretty instantly, but it was good for me. 

Plus, we later got to spend a wonderful time at Trader Joe's. Nothing I love more than grocery shopping with you. Plus, I don't have to do all the heavy lifting. Everyone wins!

Thanks for a peaceful evening, and for enjoying the simple pleasures with me. Including leftovers.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 270.

Dear New Husband,

It was an enjoyable date night, celebrating the fact that I am finished with my major assignments for graduate school. We celebrated by going to see Lincoln at a nearby movie theater that serves dinner and drinks, while you are reclining in a recliner.

I mean, really. How much more American could we get?

But movies like that get me all twitterpated in regards to the democratic process of policy making. . . Gives me an itch to get my law degree. Hold me back, dear one. Encourage me that master level social workers can get somewhere with policy without a law degree.

Otherwise, you will have more psychotic, emotional breakdowns if I do decide that law school is in my future. You've been warned.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 269.

Dear New Husband,

IT. IS. FINISHED.

I did it. I finished my capstone paper - adding research, revisions and edits - in 13 hours. Holy. Crap. I cannot even believe its over. Thank goodness.

Now my heart will just shrink down to the size of a raisin until I get my grade back. No biggie.

Thank you, again, for being so supportive and sweet today. I did nothing to merit your support and I'm so thankful and grateful for it. You always da best.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 268.

Dear New Husband,

A day full of school work for me. A day filled with regular work and some school work for you. So excited that our school work is coming to an end.

Hopefully my school work is coming to an end forever for me; or unless I elect to self-inflict more education on myself. Which I, sadly, could see myself doing. I literally cannot help myself - I love learning and academics. Although, today - Its the worst.

But thanks for pulling out all the stops on being extra supportive this week. Especially since tomorrow is going to be super painful as I finish my capstone paper tomorrow. Woof.

I love you,
Your New Wife.

Day 267.

Dear New Husband,

A day complete with discovering you may have been bitten by a brown recluse [Pending further investigation and you making a doctor's appointment for tomorrow], me napping for most of the afternoon as I stayed up until 2 am last night working on a group project/assignments for class, me working more on assignments for class, and ending with a Dallas Cowboys win. 

Oh, and your triumphant return home. Let's not forget that. I'm glad you had a great time, but I'm so glad you're home. Mainly because I love you. And mainly because I still have some Christmas decorations I want to hang, but cannot do it solo because I'm too short.

Thankful for your genetics that make you tall. Thankful that you always miss me when you're gone.

I love you,

Your New Wife.

Day 266.

Dear New Husband,

While you're off in the woods and I'm at home, doing things like getting a mani/pedi, getting a car wash and spending our money at Trader Joe's on things like Greek yogurt and prosciutto, its fun for me to live the pseudo single-lady life style.

Well. Pseudo single-lady life style that includes staying up late to continue to work on my school work and work projects that are still left undone. But that's beside the point - its nice to have some alone time, and some time with friends. Not that I don't get those things when you are in town, but. . . I feel like I'm explaining this wrong and making it sound terrible. But you know what I mean. I think its something along the lines of absence makes the heart grow fonder. And I'm enjoying getting some things taken off of my to-do list. Or something like that.

Excited to have you back home tomorrow, but have enjoyed this weekend.

I love you,

Your New Wife.