Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Found My Way to You :)

Here is the last layout I created this month using the October Journey kit by Scrapbooking From the Inside Out.
This photo was taken before Mike and I were married. Or even really dating. We look like such young babies don't we? :)
It wasn't an easy path for us to end up together. I had actually been dating someone else for almost seven years. But at one point, he decided that he didn't think he wanted to marry me. Ever. And truthfully, it was a blessing in disguise. At the time though, it was pretty confusing for me. I mean no one wants to hear that the person who supposedly loves you, doesn't want to marry you, right?
So I broke up with him.
At the same time, Mike and I had been friends for several years. And even though we were "just friends" there had always been a connection between us. We had so much in common and just really liked hanging out with our other friends. As time went by, I realized that I had slowly been feeling more than friends for a while. And so we started dating. Briefly.
Because my ex-boyfriend decided it was too hard out in the dating world. And that it would be easier to get back together. He even told me at one point that he wanted to get back together because it was safer than starting over. Once again, who wants to be told something like that by the person who is supposed to love you. And that is when I began to see that maybe he didn't really love me. Not the way I wanted to be loved.
But fool that I am :) I got back together with him. It was just so confusing at the time. And a few friends encouraged me to "do the right thing" and go back. To be honest, it probably *was* for the best. Because it gave me the time I needed to see that we weren't right together. And that Mike was the one who had my heart.

Journaling:
We went through a lot to be together. We were just friends for several years, and I was dating someone else at the same time. But when that relationship ended after six years, we began to see each other. Briefly. Because when Paul decided he wanted to get back together because he was scared of starting over, I was so confused. And a few well-intentioned friends didn't help matters by saying I should give him another chance. So I did.
But it just didn't feel right in my heart. I was so miserable without you. I missed you so much! You had become not just my friend, but my best friend and I knew I couldn't give you up.
After almost fifteen years of marriage and two beautiful kids, I can honestly say I have never, ever regretted my decision. There are ups and downs to be sure as in any relationship. Like car troubles or extended family drama. Life isn't always easy and it's not supposed to be. 
But I know what life is like without you. I've been there, and it is not a good thing. And I like that we can handle the hard times together. I love that sometimes I can still just look at you and fall in love a little bit over again. And when I look at this photo taken on our "break", I remember how much I wanted to be with you."

To the right of the photo you can see the lyrics to a Jason Mraz song that made me think of those early days in our relationship:
All I really want to do is love you.
A kind much closer than friends use, 
but I still can't say it after all we've been through.

And all I really want from you is to feel me.
As the feeling inside keeps building.
And I will find a way to you if it kills me,
if it kills me.

I really am so glad that I took the chance and didn't play it safe :)

Just two tips I want to share about this layout.
For the numbers in 1995, I used a Colorbox fluid chalk ink pad in Yellow Cadmium to color the foam letter stickers. They were originally white.
And for the canvas resist birds, I used Tattered Angels glimmer glaze in blue and Smooch Spritz in Tea Party to color them.

I will be back on Thursday with a few peeks at my projects for the next issue of Crafting Ireland magazine!



24 comments:

  1. Ohhhh...sweet story! You have really been scrapping some layouts full of precious, heartwarming memories lately!

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  2. I feel like I could have written this journaling with a very similar story (and maybe I should, LOL!), Mary Jo. I am so loving these layouts you are creating for SFTIO and how you share the stories of your life. Thank you! :)

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  3. what a wonderful layout! wow the journaling is wonderful!! what a great story!

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  4. I love all the journaling and that you scrapped an old photo of you and your husband before you were even married. Great layout!

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  5. I love the layout and the journaling is so heartfelt. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  6. This is such a beautiful story and I loveeeeeeeeeeee your lo!!! So awesome that you documented this!! I love it!!!!

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  7. Beautiful layout! I love the various pastel colored patterned strips bordering your page. What a great photo to have...and sweet story to tell.

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  8. A priceless photo and I love how you've captured the memory of that time. Life and love are hard work sometimes, but oh so worth it in the end!

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  9. I love layouts with great stories and song lyrics.

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  10. Gorgeous layout! I love that you left so much room for the journaling. And I love that photo! You are so adorable. Great story and history to document. We get so much wiser with more years under our belts, don't we? :)

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  11. I love all the heartfelt journaling on your layout, it's a good life story to have told. I'm glad you found happiness together! Love the birds, they are lovely colours! x

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  12. This is such a great layout. The journaling is really wonderful, I love that you made a layout dedicated to the story of how you and Mike became you and Mike!

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  13. Great journaling and so beautifully told. Also makes you glad to have all that in the past, I bet!

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  14. I really love this layout! Excellent journaling!

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  15. Very beautiful LO!!
    Love how you added the journaling and the rub ons!! What a sweet and touching story about how you Mike met!
    What a blessing that you both are so close I dont have that and never will because I cant change dh he has to change for himself he has alot of issues with dishonesty in our marriage. I still have joy through Jesus and Ellie & friends so life not that bad!

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  16. What a great story to document-I think it's really important that our children & grandchildren know how their family started-even if it wasn't the easiest path. :)
    Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Such a heartful story to document...not always an easy subject...you can look back now and appreciate what you have now. Thanks for sharing this <3

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  18. That is quite a story and definately a perfect scrapbook theme. But I have to say, you are awefully close in that photo for "not quite dating", lol (just kidding around)

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  19. This is so lovely. What a wonderful thing to document!!

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  20. This is such a great story for the young women out there. The moral of the story....Don"t settle.
    Great layout.

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  21. Such an awesome layout! That journaling is the BEST! :)

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  22. I can't imaging bring in a relationship that long and hearing those words. So sorry.

    But definitely a blessing in disguise. Beautiful LO and story...very special!

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  23. Beautiful work! Love your journalling... so meaningful!!!

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