sometimes you need a change...

you need to breathe in fresh air, spread your wings, and fly...

it's so easy to get stuck in what's comfy...

what's "normal"...

and while that may work for some, i just get bored...easily....

i get antsy and anxious and want to try something new...

but packing up my whole life and moving somewhere new never really crossed my mind.

and then my family moved to texas this summer...

my parents who were stuck in "normal" and have lived in illinois their whole lives

made the decision to move...and they actually did it.

they spread their wings, and they jumped, not knowing if there was anything there to catch them...

and they landed just fine and started fresh.

so after johnny and i got married we surprised my parents in texas for a little visit,

and when we got back home something didn't feel right...

we both looked at each other and knew that we didn't belong in naperville anymore...

it was time for us to fly...

so, johnny transferred national guard units and without giving it a second thought we moved to texas...

no hesitating, no second guessing, no doubts...

lets just say that packing day sucked....

it was like 40 degrees and raining and i had to guard truck to make sure no one stole my shoes....

can you imagine how horrible that would have been??

 above...all the layers we shed when we finally got to texas

below...the huge smiles we had from shedding said layers

sometimes you need a change...

so we held hands...

smiled...

and embraced our "new normal"

be pretty~melis

so in the midst of crazy party planning and condo packing,

i realized that i didn't post the rest of our elopement pics...

and some of these are my absolute faves!  

so enjoy the rest and stay tuned for our 

1920s party pics from our 

reception/going away party we just had!

don't you love my second headpiece? 

i'm obsessed!!

and don't be sad...

there are still more fun wedding pics to come!!

hooray!

be pretty~melis

when i first got engaged, before we decided to elope,

my mom asked me where i wanted to get married.

now as you know, this was not something i ever really thought much about.

kind of stumped i told her i wasn't sure and she asked me about places that i have been to that i've felt the happiest....and instantly i said by the ocean.

 when johnny and i first started dating a hundred years ago

(okay almost 10 years ago)

i had only been on a plane when i was like four...which doesn't really count.

only a very short time into our relationship

johnny was off to sunny san diego for school and so my first "real" plane ride was to visit him...

and the first time i saw the ocean was when we went to coronado beach to watch the sunset.

it was so magical and i remember thinking that nothing bad can ever happen staring out at the waves.

so the decision was made...

we would get married on coronado beach

with the ocean waves in the background and sand in our shoes.

one of my most favorite pictures...i adore forehead kisses.

i made this adorable little sign that says

mr. & mrs.

it was all pink sparkly like...

if only you could read it lol.

my prince charming:)

be pretty~melis