Grateful for my husband

I was grateful for my husband, long before he was my husband, fiancé or boyfriend. He is one of the most supportive people I’ve ever met, and I appreciate every gesture he makes.

I’ve been really struggling with some pretty severe stomach problems the last few months that have made me bloated, burpy, nauseous and just plain grouchy at times. I feel really unattractive with my extremely bloated stomach, and my digestive issues are making me feel down. 

Brandon has been so supportive. He has made an effort to help me feel better about myself and remind me that my problem is new and not permanent (it may be a permanent problem, but there is a way to feel better and not always feel this way). We will find a solution!  We are a team.

The only thing I can say is, if your partner doesn’t make you feel better about yourself, your situation, your down moments, don’t be with them. Life has its ups and downs. We each deserve support systems, people around us to lift us up through the rough times. Being with someone who doesn’t lift your head up, your spirits, your self-worth, isn’t worth your time or energy! Find the big spoon to your little spoon, or your copy to your paste, whatever analogy makes sense to you! Find the person who compliments you and makes you stronger. 

I’m so glad I have someone who challenges and accepts me, loves me, dances with me to 90's R&B, cuddles, shares life’s adventures with me, is honest about how he feels, shares his fears and his dreams.

2+ months down

My husband and I recently passed our 2 month anniversary and I'm happy to say, so far everything has been smooth.

I don't think I had any anticipations of every day life changing that much, but I'm glad it hasn't.  Basically we just say, "let me ask my husband/wife" rather than "my fiancé/fiancée" and before that "my boyfriend/girlfriend."  We have had some BIG things come up within the first month of being married, including a health scare for me, health issues with my parents, and Brandon buying a new car (yay!).

I may be a newlywed, but I can honestly say the best foundation for a solid relationship is friendship.  Beyond our romantic love for one another, Brandon and I really like one another.  We find each other amusing, we laugh a lot, we support each other's interests and listen to each other.

Listening is so important!  I've been in enough relationships (friendships and romantic ones) where listening isn't practiced, and it hurts the relationship. People easily begin to feel undervalued.

Brandon listens to me, to listen, not to respond and I do the same for him.  Understanding how someone is feeling, getting their perspective, it helps resolve disagreements with less hurt feelings and (hopefully) more quickly. Sometimes you won't see eye to eye, and that's okay, but by listening, you can at least understand where the other person is coming from.

Name change - Part One Complete

Brandon and I went to the Social Security office on Wednesday for part one of the name change.

After reading about the Social Security Office and talking to people with previous experience, I took the advice to go mid-morning to avoid the crazy crowds.

We got to the office around 11:15 AM.  I checked in, got a number and we took a seat.  We waited about 20 minutes and then our number was called.  The process was super painless, almost alarmingly so.

Through the help of HitchSwitch.com, I brought my filled out Social Security Card application form, (Form 0960), a certified copy of our marriage certificate, my driver's license and my passport (just for good measure).  The clerk took my paperwork, and started typing away.  He had me confirm the spelling of my new name, told me my new card would arrive in 2 weeks or less and sent us off with a, "Congratulations Mrs. Tweed."  The whole process, once in-front of an agent, was less than 5 minutes.

HitchSwitch has my passport name change next in line for things to do.  Since I renewed my passport in November (so we could go on our honeymoon), I had to do a few different clicks when I filled out my HitchSwitch information to indicate that my passport was renewed less than 12 months ago.  But it looks like I follow the same steps from November, send the passport with a photo and the filled out form, but this time the form has my new legal name AND I have to send a certified copy of my marriage license.

I have requested a few more copies of my marriage license from VitalChek so I can submit one with my passport.

*You can only order certified copies of your marriage license 60 DAYS after the event.*

My appointment for my driver's license name change and application for the RealID is set for early June.  Once I get that completed, then it's my car title.  Name change is a lot of work.