6 Months and a Wedding...

I cannot believe it has been 6 months since I walked down the aisle to the man of my dreams... he is so much more today than I could have imagined just 6 months ago! He is my best friend, protector, pillar of strength, he loves me when I am a mess, he pursues me when I want to run away and be alone, he holds me when I cry, he laughs at me when I am grumpy in the morning, he teases me about singing all the time, he hugs me when I get home from work, he makes me food, he dances with me at weddings, he holds my hand in hard situations where I feel uncertain and fearful, he reminds me that I am strong and capable and doing life well, he is proof of God's immense love for me! I am more in love with my husband now than I was 6 months ago and can't imagine how much more in love with him I will be in another 6 months.

I feel like Mr. Mertz and I have been through more than we bargained for in our first six months. I feel like we have been forced to have conversations about our marriage and future family that most people don't breach until a decade into their marriage. That's us, I guess... we talk and are not afraid to wrestle through the difficult topics. However, because of this, 6 months feels both longer and shorter than I expected! in many ways I feel like we have been married for forever and in other ways I feel like we just got married a couple weeks ago and everything is still a novelty!

I actually have thought about my wedding a lot lately! Friends of ours just got married this last weekend (the day after our 6 month anniversary) and we got to be front and center for all the excitement!! Aaron was a groomsmen, so he had his fair share of wedding activities to participate in. I was in charge of the bride and her sister's hair on the big day! I love doing my friends hair for their wedding! I get the bride all to myself for an hour of her wedding day. She is just sitting and relaxing and is surrounded by her friends... it is my favorite time of the wedding - the excitement and preparation of getting ready! Love it! I kept remembering my wedding day and how my bridesmaids were machines! They anticipated my every need and before the thought "I'm thirsty" or "I'm hungry" was even fully formed in my brain their was a drink and a snack in my hand. I couldn't get over how well they loved and cared for and protected me!
Josh and Kate's wedding was in a beautiful church and their reception was in the same location as our wedding! It was so fun to be back where I said "I do" just 6 months before. Many of the same people were there and we got the question "how's marriage?" and I loved being able to honestly answer - AMAZINGLY FUN!

Alright, a little about Josh & Kate - I have known Josh my whole life! We grew up at the same church and were in the same Sunday school class and even went to prom together as friends for my Jr year of High School! He is such a good man!! His friendship with Aaron is beyond valuable and I am so thankful for Josh's presence and wisdom in my husband's life and vice versa. Kate is one of the most bright, fun, beautiful, playful, and strong women I have ever met. When she and Josh began dating, it was pretty evident right away that they were amazing together! They were so fun and playful and comfortable together. I love this couple so much and am so thankful they are in our tiny club of married w/o kids group right now! So excited to hang out with them!

Mr. Mertz and I with the happy couple at their rehearsal dinner!

this picture does not do the stain glass window in the background justice... such a beautiful wedding!

The beautiful canopy of lights of The Hearn House

We are lookin' good!

First dance

Send off!! (my phone doesn't take great night pics)

LOVE this picture of Aaron and I with sparklers sending off the happy couple! (Thanks Erica!)

It was such a fun reception! Good food, dancing, good friends, being a married couple, all of it was awesome!

This was our first wedding as a married couple and I will be honest and say that weddings are WAY FUN with my husband! We kept laughing about how little stress we felt and how much more present we were in all the festivities cause we didn't have to talk to everyone and smile if we didn't want to... haha. We can't wait for our next wedding!! Gotta find some friends to marry off pronto!



So in honor of our 6 months we got a hotel room in Phoenix at one of the resorts and went their after the wedding! We told them it was our 6 month anniversary and they had strawberries and champagne waiting for us in the room! So nice :)

Good job Point Tapatio Cliffs!

The next day we ordered room service for breakfast and spent the whole  day just laying by the pool and relaxing!!! Oh glorious sun! I need a beach vacation ASAP!