Dreams are Wonderful Things

This past Saturday, I had a horrible dream. It was my wedding day and my (soon to be) husband, Kevin, told me he was having second thoughts only hours before the ceremony. It is every bride's worst nightmare! I began to follow him around trying to find out what was going on, only to discover that there was another woman. I confronted them and found out that this woman was everything I was not, which my husband once was: a smoking, rock music-listening (I gave up that kind of music after struggling with some personal matters), tattooed, pierced, drink-every-night kind of girl. Dream-Kevin wanted her instead of me because she accepted him the way he was.

Let me explain: I met my husband in college during his wild years. He smoked, drank behind the college's back, and wanted to eventually get a tattoo. I was the opposite. Although we both liked rock music and Ireland, we didn't share any other interests. We did, however, have the same friends that brought us together every so often. Kevin moved home to North Carolina after completing his coursework, and we began talking on Facebook.As our relationship grew, Kevin began to change. He gave up drinking and started the long road to quitting smoking. He still listens to rock music, but I don't fault him for it.

Months later, Kevin was back to Georgia to escort me to my Junior Formal, and to ask me to officially become his girlfriend. The night before Kevin's graduation, I met his family and loved them instantly! He and I spent the rest of the evening dancing and listening to music by Lake Hartwell. That was also the night he gave me a promise ring, the same one that his dad gave his mom. Not too long after graduation, he moved to Georgia so we could be closer. We spent every day together at my parent's house, and talked on the phone till we fell asleep. That September, he asked me to be his bride and we were married the following summer.

Kevin gave up everything to be with me - his home, his friends, his lifestyle. Until having the dream, I wasn't entirely grateful for what he has done to make our relationship work. You see, the girl in the dream wasn't a real person. She represented everything that Kevin left behind. In the dream, he wanted to go back to that lifestyle and knew our relationship wold not work well if he did so.

I began to cry, and not just tears running down my face kind of crying. I was sobbing. In the process, I woke Kevin up. He kept asking me what was wrong, but I was still halfway in the dream. I kept seeing Dream-girl and Kevin together and my heart broke. Finally, Kevin shook me fully awake and I told him about the dream. It wasn't until later that morning I realized the interpretation of it.

I am so thankful for my husband and the lengths he has gone in order to be with me. He has slain the dragons in his life so that he could be with his princess. Now, I am more appreciative than ever for what he has done.

Reader, go hug the person you love and thank them for what they have done for you.

Marriage Isn't For You

This article showed up on a Facebook page of a friend of mine who had recently been married. This concerned me at first until I read the comments. I am here to say that marriage isn't for me. Read the article and see why:

http://sethadamsmith.com/2013/11/02/marriage-isnt-for-you/

Books I Adore!

One of the most simple pleasures for me is opening a new book. There has always been something so promising about it. The sensation is similar to going on a first date. I am filled with excitement about the possibility of falling in love, and even though there is an end (with books anyways) I will enjoy every moment of the ride.

Books are one of the greatest inventions of all time. They are full of entertainment and can take you to places you would have never ordinarily been, especially if that world is filled with fantasy. Books are also one of the most Eco-friendly devices out there. They use absolutely no energy and are biodegradable and recyclable. Plus they are completely portable and you don't have to worry about having WiFi or a power cord. That is way better than a Kindle or a TV can say!

Ever since I was a child, books have had a special place in my heart. I was always read to by my parents and grandmother. Even before I could read fluently I would carry a book around almost like a security blanket. I have always identified with the character Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast because she was never without a book.

As I got older I was known as the bookworm because I was always reading. My husband met a former classmate of mine at the gym not too long ago. The classmate lived in my childhood community and proceeded to tell my husband that everyone classified me with the "smart people" because I was always reading and never had much interest in anything else. Yep, I was that girl.

Over the years I have acquired enough books to fill over half of our school library while still keeping my favorites at home. My favorite genre is YA Fiction, but as a teacher I have also collected quite a few picture books for children. The following lists are by far the best books and authors I have encountered:

Children's picture books and Authors:

• Eric Carl (i.e. The Hungry Caterpillar; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?)
• David Weisner (i.e. The Loathsome Dragon, Flotsam, Art and Max)
• The Princess and the Kiss
• Pete the Cat books
• Stellaluna

Children's chapter books:

• The Tale of Desperaux
• The Chronicles of Narnia
• The BFG

YA novels:

• The Giver by Lois Lowry (author of Number the Stars)
• The 5th Wave
• The Hunger Games trilogy
• Maggie Stiefvater books (i.e. Lament, Ballad, The Scorpio Races)

These are the most recommended titles and authors by me. If you have a favorite book or author, please leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers!