Just Me And You...

One year ago...
I met a boy down on the sand.
I wasn't looking for love.
But he was.
My Mom told me a little while ago that there was a Zac Brown Band song that she felt was perfect for me and James.
I thought - oh dear my Mom.
Next thing I know
I am sitting in Hoda Kotb's office
and she is blaring this song called FREE and dancing while talking careers with the interns.
(Evanne, Ky, and Colie - do you remember this moment?)
The song totally struck me.
New York was whirling around me
Careers opportunities were placed before me
And all I wanted to do was go back to that beach where I met James.
This weekend we headed back to California to take our engagements,
film a little video,
and vaca with my parents.
We touched down in my favorite airport of all time...
Long Beach.

Casa Blanca was filmed here and it's really where our love story began.
No big deal.
Next we headed to Balboa.
Played on the streets.
Enjoyed the sun.
Ate sugar for the first time in a long time.

Curse that LGN diet.
(look good naked)
Shoved frozen yogurt in each others faces.
Dreamed of owning a yacht.
James promised me he'd buy me one.
But the one he promised was a paddle boat.
I'll keep dreaming.
Next we headed to Laguna.
We met on a private beach.
You better bet we snuck on to that beach.
There were 3 people on the beach.
It was a dream.

James was adorable all day even though it was cheesy and filled with wedding talk.
Got caramel apples like we did on our first night together.
Told our story.
Headed to San Clemente where we met our photographer Whitney Law.
We were late.
So we had to RUN while taking our pictures.
No joke.
Running and sweating from pose to pose.
But to be honest I wouldn't change a thing.
We were so in love and had a blast.
It was one of those moments for me.
You know the ones where you look at the person you have chosen to marry
and while everything is swirling around you -
you just feel calm and everything is right in the world.
I never had a burning or overwhelming feeling.
I just knew.
And again on this beach
I just knew.
For a boy who hates taking pictures and anything girly -
James literally was the happiest I have ever seen him.
It was perfect.
The pictures turned out perfect.
My hair may not be perfect.
We may have been running from pose to pose.
And I may not look as put together as I would have hoped.
But we look like ourselves and are so happy -
what else could I have asked for!
Whitney was perfect for us!
We clicked with her instantly and wish we could be her best friend.
She was great.
After we took pictures at San Clemente under the pier we headed down to Dana Point.
Snuck onto a pier and got some quick shots.
Doesn't James just look so dapper!
I love it.
Pretty much in love with that outfit.
And that boy.
I was lucky enough to have our good family friend tag along with us for the day.
Mike Gardner
DMG films.
He is the perfect wedding videographer.
Mostly cause he rarely does them.
He is a professional videographer that spends most of his time doing films for businesses and companies.
Which means if you can convince him to do your wedding video it is super original.
My favorite part is that he really related to James.
James kept asking,
"Mike am I being super cute?"
Mike hates the cheesy wedding videos and tries to just make them fun and revolves around your story.
At the end of the night we dropped James off at his sisters in Irvine and my Mom and I headed back up to L.A. where my Mom and Dad were staying for a convention.
I was lucky enough to be able to crash with my parents.
Nothing like a free room on a college students budget.

Saturday my Dad had meetings so the three of us enjoyed being adventerous together.
It was a really relaxed day with lots of driving and eating.
We ate at Wahoo's
Which the Welte's so kindly introduced me too last year.
Love it!
And just enjoyed a lazy day waltzing around.

Poor James was stuck in jeans because in our rushing to change for engagements his shorts were placed in my bag.
And of course I forgot them.
He endured wet pants all day.
He was totally peeved but still but on a happy face.Thanks to my Mom for being the ultimate brides Mom.
No joke.
She is the best.
This weekend she didn't think of herself once.
Not once.
It was all about the bride.
Which is sometimes hard for me.
But she literally ran from place to place.
Just driving us around and loving our story.
I love you Mom!

Somehow I managed not to get a picture with my Dad in it.
My Dad worked his guts out at this convention.
He is such a trooper and works so hard for our family.
As much as I know he loves it I am still SO grateful.
Dad - you know you are always my first true love.
And I say it proud!
haha
Love you

As I start to say bye bye to the parentals pay roll I realize how much they have given me.
I love you guys!
Thanks for allowing me to dream big and become the person I am!

Saturday we went to The Farm at Beverly Hills.
It was delicious!
My Dad looked at our engagements and nearly gagged.
Apparently Dad's don't like to see their little girls be kissed.
It was pretty hysterical.

As I think back over how my life has changed in the course of one year I can hardly believe it.
James and I have decided our saying has to be Everything Happens for a Reason.
If you would have asked either of us where we would be at the age of 18 -
Neither of us thought we'd be here doing this with someone we didn't even know.
But sometimes there are different plans out there for us than we think.
And most certainly James and I were both placed on that beach in Laguna on the same night for a certain reason.
I am so glad I met him.
It really is incredible how we were placed in this place together.
Can't wait for it to be just the two of us....

We'll end up hand in hand
Somewhere down on the sand
Just me and you
Just as free
Free as we'll ever be

Love you James!
Thanks for being a
"SUPER CUTE"
trooper this weekend.