Well, once again I’ve fallen behind in blogging because of life. This time I think I have a pretty good excuse, though – I GOT ENGAGED! I wish I had a nice picture of us to share on here, but I’ll have to wait until we get some of those taken. In the meantime, I took some pictures of my ring, which I will post today. Isn’t it beautiful? For me, it’s perfect; I love it. 🙂 And more than loving it, I love the man who gave it to me.

I’ve been dating James for just over 2 years, and I’ve known him for just over 4. I don’t tend to write about it on the internet so much because – well, it’s personal, and as much as I like to be “Real” on here, I also like to try to keep some personal matters private– something I’m learning to safeguard more and more as time goes on. I suppose I want to protect myself against my own potential to search for accountability, affirmation, and friendship online more than I do in real life (in any area – especially important ones), spending more time in the virtual world than in the real one. I don’t want to teach myself to be dissatisfied at any time with life around me to the point that I feel the need to escape it, or supplement it, with something else, if that makes sense.

Anyway… That’s all rambling and doesn’t have much to do with my dating James, but that said– My journey of dating him has been shared most with those people I can talk with face to face. I am and have been grateful for that… but now it’s time to share this good news on the internet as well!

What an interesting, beautiful journey it has been! They say that no two love stories are alike, and I have found that to be true. My own story has begun differently than I would have imagined: It’s had its hard challenges and great triumphs, its little struggles and incredible joys… All leading up to that beautiful moment on October 4, 2018, when I gave a confident “Yes!” to the man who has loved me through it all so sweetly and faithfully. I have told some of my friends – “I always expected love to sweep me off my feet… but instead I’ve found love to be patient and to be kind. I’ve been loved to the point that I can’t help loving him back!” It’s so sweet and wonderful. 🙂 Here is where our love story really begins, and I’m excited to see where it will take us. (He does sweep me off my feet, though. Literally. <3 )

Aside from getting engaged, in the past weeks, I’ve spent my time working, hosting people at my house (we have had a lot of guests consistently for about a month and a half), and now, planning a wedding, planning a harvest party, writing a book, dating my fiancé, and baking up a storm both at work and at home… too busily to actually post anything about that process. Which is too bad. But I’ll share some photos of some of it soon! I’ve also had all kinds of appointments and commitments which have consistently pulled me away from the world of blogging…

…Ah, well. I should be thankful. Having “too much happening” around me, although it cuts into my blogging schedule, means that my days are full of life, and for that I am grateful.

Thanks for checking in! Despite my rambling about distancing myself from the internet, I obviously also think it has its good place- and here, on this blog, is somewhere I really love to be and share. Thanks for being a part of that!

–Naomi