The Swing of Things

When your husband comes home from deployment, it's like falling in love all over again. 

He'll buy you presents...

You'll hug and kiss...

He'll take you on adventures...

And take you out on dates.

Then, when you think it just can't get any better, this starts...

But you'll still love him anyway <3

The Crazy Army Wife

Sometimes, when your husband is deployed, you turn into a giant loser and you just go a little crazy. You spend your Friday nights sitting around watching Say Yes To The Dress and thinking about the beautiful wedding you had. You think of how happy you were that day and how your husband was actually home. Then you think of your wedding dress upstairs in the closet and you want to try it on. So you do.

You twirl and realize that your dress is about 3 sizes too big so you have to sit down. Then you become the crazy Army wife sitting around in her wedding dress missing her deployed husband.

Man, I'm such a loser.

Our Beginning

A year ago today, I woke up with a smile. I showered and gathered my things, a smile never leaving my face. Then, I left the house for the last time as Miss Megan Rice.

Now, I know that all girls think their wedding was the best wedding of all time. But here's the thing, mine actually was. My wedding was, without a doubt, the most perfect wedding in the history of the world. Here's a little taste of my perfect day:

And that, my friends, is the day my Liberato Lifestyle began!

On a side note: Do you think that it would be wierd if I wore my wedding dress around for the day. Maybe just for a little while? You know, since it's my anniversary and my husband is deployed and all. People won't think I'm crazy, right?

I'm the Lucky One

Today, as I was hurriedly pumping gas, trying to get it over with as soon as possible, the twelve-year old looking girl at the pump next to me turned and smiled. Being the friendly person I am, I smiled back. My dazzling smile must have seemed like an invitation to start up a conversation because she looked at me excitedly and said, "Is that, like, an engagement ring?!" A little confused, I looked down to check my hand and said, "Yes, and a wedding band too." As soon as the word wedding had passed through my lips, the girl got so excited, she looked like she might pee her pants. "You're married?!" she said, "You are so lucky!" In that moment, I just smiled at the girl and sense of pride washed over me as I realized that I really am lucky. My relationship with my husband is no where near perfect, but it is every bit the fairytale romance that my gas station friend imagined it to be. It's the imperfections that make our love truly beautiful and I wouldn't change a thing.

If You're Happy and You Know It...

After I threw myself a nice little pity party, I realized that, of course, I have a thousand reasons to be happy, even with my husband half a world away. Really, how could I have forgotten how awesome my life really is?! Here are a few reasons I have ditched my Negative Nancy attitude:

• My mom, aka the best mom ever, used her awesomeness to get me the BEST Christmas present ever! A homemade, black and white apron with Mrs. Liberato embroidered on it! I have been wanting one for a while now and she surprised me with it! It's even better than I imagined.

• My pink Reebok butt shaping shoes. Obviously that's not their official name but you get the point. Mom got them for both of us when I first got home months and months ago and I have gone down 3 sizes since then! Needless to say, I absolutely love those shoes [and my new, smaller butt]!

• A good book and a candle lit bubble bath...or really anything that helps me forget to be stressed about school and deployment. P.S. Bath & BodyWorks new Dark Kiss scent is my new favorite! It smells amazing.

• Victoria's Secret gift card...need I say more?

• Most importantly of all, I have pretty much accomplished my goal of Kardashian hair! I do wish my hair would grow a little longer but for now, I am perfectly content with my semi-long, dark curls.

And really, who can be grouchy when they have Kardashian hair?

Anniversaries

Every other girl I know is head over heels for anniversary celebrations, obsessing over presents, flowers and romantic dinners. Even Chris, who is not known for his romantic tendencies, keeps mentioning to me that he is trying everything he can to be home on our anniversary. 

All of this anniverary talk has me thinking: Is there something wrong with me? Am I the only girl on the face of the earth that has little desire for an extravegant celebration for her anniversary? Is it wrong of me to not want a huge celebration with candles, presents and surprises?

Don't get me wrong, if Chris did make it home and wanted to make big plans and go all out, of course I would be happy to do whatever he wanted. But if I had to choose, it wouldn't be extravagant, expensive or overly-planned at all.

Maybe it's because this is our first anniversary and I'm still in the newleywed love stage. Maybe it's because I don't want to get my hopes up and be disappointed if Chris can't be here. But really, I think it's just the fact that I have never really been a fan of giving expensive presents just to show a person how much you love them. Personally, I would rather have a heart felt "I love you" than a diamond anyday.

Is anyone else with me?

Chris and I on wedding day

8 months later...

It took me 8 months, but I finally did it!

I am legally Mrs. Megan Liberato!

The DMV was a nighmare of course! DMV #1 had a line around the building and after 20 minutes of the line not moving at all we were informed that the ID printer was broken! So off I went to DMV #2. After waiting in line forever, I finally turned in my paper work and got my picture taken. I'm handed my freshly printed ID...and it says Megan Rice! The paperwork lady forgot to change my last name even though that's the only reason I was there! So I had to get back in line and do the whole thing over again. Hours after arriving, I left the DMV as Megan Liberato. Finally!