Birthday Fun - Gifts, Sales, and Clearance

My birthday was two weeks ago and I thought I'd share some of the things I got as gifts and just gifting myself - haha! I'd like to say my latest Addition Elle, H&M, Reitmans,Torrid, and Taylor Swift orders that aren't in this post fell under that category, but maybe I can get away with blaming it on "Christmas in July"? Yeah, let's go with that. Technically, Reitmans and Torrid fall under the birthday category because I used my birthday rewards. I just don't have them yet and want to make sure they arrive before I share what I got. Perhaps, I'll post a collective haul on those purchases - minus the Taylor Swift items, because they said it might be two months before they ship.

So in this post, we have Addition Elle, some of my gifts, H&M, Shoppers beauty haul, Juvia's Place, and a few birthday pictures! Just typing all of this out makes me realize just how done I am right now. Like DONE. July was a fun month with a little getaway, my birthday ,and some retail therapy but I'm good to get back to normal and reining back the spending again. Though points, rewards, and gift cards made this feel a little less daunting on the wallet. (Except for the Taylor Swift order mentioned above. That one hurt. Don't even get me started on the shipping to Canada, but darn it Folklore is amazing and I just wanted the album and some of the merch to go with it. Who knows when we're all going to get to experience live shows again?!)

Keep reading!

Black Lives Matter

Like many other creators, influencers, brands, etc., I stepped back in promoting and creating my own material and such over the past week. Instead, I've been sharing Black-owned businesses, helpful info, Black creators, and more on my Instagram Stories and Twitter. I created a "Support" tab on my Instagram to start sharing more support to BLM, but also to other causes close to my heart. It's not much, but it gets the word out and that's something.

While doing and talking about things in real life, I don't really show that side of me online aside from likes/faves/saves/reshares. Still, I can be louder. I just haven't truly talked, mainly because my channels are mostly about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. Somewhere along the line, I forgot that this is very much under "lifestyle". I'm still not vocal about everything, but I'll be working on doing a better job at showing that side of me a little more and using what platform I have for supporting and spreading awareness. On this blog, I'm going to make more of an effort at making sure BIPOC brands are showcased when I can.

I've spent this last week putting together a list to share. This isn't about me, but the latter part was very difficult for me to write and open up about. I'm usually pretty private about those things. I have been putting in the emotional work and it shouldn't be easy for any of us. And I really hope you have been looking at ways to help, ways to change, and ways to grow. We each have room to grow and no one promised it would be easy.

Keep reading!

15 Years in Canada!

It's hard to believe that today marks 15 years in Canada for me. 15 years ago, I made one of the biggest decisions I have ever made when I decided to leave everything I had ever known to come to Toronto. When the heart calls, I believe we should answer. Today's post is about how one decision changed my life and how you shouldn't be afraid to leave your comfort zone and leap into the unknown.

Keep reading!

Refinery29's 29Rooms

I was given the opportunity to attend 29Rooms in Toronto and a party co-hosted by Stella Artois this past Thursday. Such a fun event! I wanted to get this post up quickly for any of my local readers who might like to go or to get a further idea on what is offered here in Toronto, as well as when it travels. 29Rooms is a pop-up style event set up with art displays and themed rooms based on causes, cultures, and artistic creativity. Many of the displays travel, while some are distinct to the city it is in. After Toronto, 29Rooms will travel to Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA. It's only in Toronto until October 6 and that date is coming up fast! You can find it at the Queen Elizabeth Building on the CNE grounds.

To not make this a picture-heavy post, I'm sharing these in collage format to fit a lot more in. There are many that I am not sharing, so I hope you'll look at what others are sharing and that you get the opportunity to go! 29Rooms is a perfect time to "do it for the 'Gram", because every room is just calling out for pictures! If you follow me on Instagram, I did share pictures on my Stories (now some are in my highlights).

Keep reading!

Happy 12th Birthday, Fashionable Heart!

Here we are again, folks! Let's see if I can put together a decent post. I'm sure I've put my thoughts more eloquently in all the previous posts where I honor my blog's date of existence. I won't make this a novel as I probably have in the past, because those thoughts and words very much still apply.

If I recall correctly (it was a long time ago, afterall), I started the blog just a few days prior but didn't post until September 7th. It was originally known as Ordinary Superstar, a song that was featured on The Hills at the time. I decided to get my very own .com and so Fashionable Heart was born. The real reason behind me starting the blog was that my grandmother passed away that year (2007) and I was in a dark place. I needed something to put my focus on and I knew I loved writing and photography. I wasn't new to blogging, but this one felt different from the start. This blog came to be exactly two months after my grandma died.

I loved it so much and just kept at it. I blinked and somehow I am sitting here celebrating twelve years. It is insane how quickly time passes. I had no idea that day in September would bring me to this point. I've met some lovely people, worked with some great brands, and have had incredible experiences. Fashionable Heart means so much to me and has made such a difference in my life that it boggles my brain a bit to sit back and think about it.

Thank you to everyone who has deemed this blog worthy of a follow or any of my posts worthy of a read,share, or save. Thank you to the brands and companies that have worked with me. I appreciate all of you with every fiber of my being.

12 years. Wow. What a 12 years it has been! Let's keep going, shall we? :)

Five Friday Faves for August 2019

I was doing six on these posts, but my love for alliteration kicked in and I changed it to five. That's the type of person I am. So here we are! If you haven't read any of my other Friday Fave posts, I like to do one of these monthly (when I remember). I cover random favorites that don't fit into my usual monthly beauty faves. So if you're ever interested in what I'm reading, listening to, etc. etc., I share some of that here. It also gives me the opportunity to ask you about any recommendations you might have, because I love recommendations!

Keep reading!

My Visit to Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

Terre Bleu has been on my "to visit" list for a few years now and I finally got to take it all in! Well, not all. It's a huge place and I just couldn't see it all on such a hot day, because I started suffering from heat exhaustion (I take that very seriously) and cut our visit a little short. Honestly, I had fears that my knee injury would act up and it ended up being my sensitivity to heat. My knee hurt, sure, but it did pretty well walking through the fields. An improvement even from last summer that I will happily pat myself on the back for!

We were there for about two hours, I'd say. We took in two lavender fields, ice cream, visited the horses, posed with the yellow door photo prop, and just had a great time learning about the farm. Terre Bleu Lavender Farm is located in Milton, Ontario and I'd say it is high on many travel lists when you're coming to the Toronto area in the summer. Here are some pictures and information from our colorful day spent in the lavender!

Keep reading!

Milani Stellar Lights Highlight Palette in Rose Glow

Did I need another highlighter or highlight palette? No. Did that stop me from grabbing this the second I saw it? Also no. I can't help it- it's a weakness! I saw this being talked about on Instagram and knew I had to grab it. Milani's Stellar Lights palettes are gorgeous in person. There are two, Holographic Beams (cooler in tone) and Rose Glow (warmer in tone). While I normally like cooler, I gravitated toward this one a little bit more. Maybe because I was home and in that South Carolina heat and summer was on my mind? Could be!

Keep reading to find out what I think and to see my swatches!

Keep reading!

Burt's Bees Goodness Glows Liquid Makeup

I was sent a box of goodies to try from Burt's Bees. One of those items is the Burt's Bees Goodness Glows Liquid Makeup in the shade 1005 Porcelain. I was also sent the Nourishing Mascara, 2 Lip & Cheek Sticks from their All Aglow line, and a highlighter and bronzer stick also from their All Aglow line. I will have a post coming on the All Aglow sticks soon, though I am wearing everything below!

This post is solely on the Goodness Glows foundation. To see swatches and what I think, keep reading.

Keep reading!

Nude by Nature Sheer Light Pressed Illuminator

Coming straight from Australia, we've got Nude by Nature in its full rose gold glory in Canada exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart. I was sent a few products to test and review and one of those is this Sheer Light Pressed Illuminator. Unfortunately, it did not hold its own during the shipping process and arrived to me broken. That might be something to take note of if you're hoping to order this powder online. It was a mess when I first opened the compact!

Below are my thoughts and swatches.

Keep reading!

Nude by Nature Complexion Essentials Starter Kit in W2 Ivory

I recently received a lovely box full of Nude by Nature items and I figured I'd start off the reviews with the Complexion Essentials Starter Kit. Aside from this kit, I have the finishing brush and a highlighter to review. They also sent along a full size of the translucent setting powder but I am not sure that I will give that it's own post, since I'm touching on it in this review.

I love when brands do little kits like this. You get a lot of bang for your buck and you get to try it extensively before deciding if buying the full-sized version is the right move for you. With this Complexion Essentials kit coming in at $50 CA at Shoppers Drug Mart, it's a great deal considering the amount of products you are getting. Bonus points for the makeup pouch and travel-sized brush. When given the option, I usually go with the lightest shade available. In this instance, that would be W2 Ivory. With only five selections available, I will say I wish there were more to choose from. Let's get to the products and swatches!

Keep reading!

Happy 11th Birthday, Fashionable Heart!

Today is the day that my blog turns eleven. Eleven years old! What?! My blog is basically in middle school now. On its way to preteen territory. And that's crazy to think about! I've been at this a long time and I guess I just haven't run out of things to say or the want to say them. That's the true power of blogging, isn't it? May all of the naysayers that say blogging is dead be wrong, because I think blogs are still as relevant as ever.

You can look at all of my past blogiversary posts to see more of what I think about this blog, what it has allowed me, and just how much I love it. None of that has changed. Another thing that hasn't changed is how much I appreciate all of you. Without readers, I'd just be talking to myself. Now, that wouldn't be much different from my everyday life (haha!)...but it means the world to me that you stop by to read my thoughts, look at my pictures, and support me on this journey.

Some of you have been here since day one and that is not lost on me. I'm so happy that I have gotten to know so many of you and formed friendships. I believe support shouldn't be one way. I love supporting you, reading your blogs, following you on social media, and meeting you! Paths that may not have crossed if I had never hit publish on this site. That's a strange and wonderful thought!

So thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything. Here's to another 11 years? Well, you never know!

Fashionable Heart Turns 10!

I can't believe it! My blog has hit double digits and has turned ten years old today. Honestly, sometimes it feels like yesterday that I started it. And I am celebrating in style, because I'm going to see Lady Gaga tonight! She always puts on an amazing show, so I can't wait. Now on to the schmaltzy part of this post...

Ten years. Wow, I don't know where time goes, but I do know it operates at a fast speed. I started this blog two months after my grandmother's death. I was at a dark point in my life and needed something else to put my attention on. It was the time of beauty gurus coming to be on YouTube and I knew that I wasn't comfortable enough to be on camera, but I've had a long history of blogging. So I decided to make this blog focusing on the very things that I still focus on- beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. Not having a completely dedicated niche has actually helped keep my interest.

Launching this blog allowed me to enjoy my other hobbies of web design, graphics, writing, and photography. It just all came together and I have stayed at it all of these years. I made friends with a lot of people in the early days that are still in my life! Along the way, I've found new blogs and have been a part of a community that I am so proud to be in. I joined a blogging network that is full of nothing but supportive people and that is the type of people we should all surround ourselves with.

After ten years, my blog is still not one of the "bigger" ones and I am okay with that. It still feels like a small blog and it takes quite a lot of pressure off of my shoulders not to have to strive for perfection or have that kind of magnifying lens on my life.

Because of Fashionable Heart, I've had so many opportunities to try new things, work with some amazing brands, and attend events and I've enjoyed nearly every second of the ride. The hard work will never not be worth it. If you're just starting out, don't give up. Keep going, because it is about YOU and nobody else!

A main thing this blog has given me is a voice. I've been able to open up about myself, what I am loving, and just anything that I want. Over the years, I've grown and so has the blog. I hope to keep going and just maybe I'll be blogging here another ten years and more. As long as ya'll don't get tired of me or I get tired of myself! ;)

Make Up For Ever Water Blend Face and Body and Ellipse Blender

I gave this foundation a short review on my Instagram a few weeks ago and I thought I would dig in a little deeper on here, as well as show swatches. You can only fit so much into an Instagram caption. I was also sent the Ellipse Blender to try, so I will also include my thoughts on that. Keep reading to find out more!

Keep reading!

Get to Know Me Pt. 2 - 10 More Facts About Me

I had a different blog post in mind, but the weather has not been cooperating for photographs lately (#bloggerproblems). I thought I might do another random facts post, seeing as my first one was back in 2014. My second one is here (which I totally forgot about and am editing in days after this post- oops!). Again, I don't like to get too personal on here as I enjoy a private life. I hope you enjoy getting to know me a little more and if you want to do a post like this, link me to it so I can learn more about you!

1. My dog Indy is my baby. My addiction. My obsession. And I'd take him everywhere with me, if I could. Total dog mom.

2. I suffered a Tibial Plateau Fracture during the summer of 2015. Since then, I still cannot bend or straighten my left leg properly and I am still learning how to walk again. I went from wheelchair, walker, to cane, to now finally on my own two feet. Long amounts of walking and standing still bother me a great deal, but I'm working on it! My two year anniversary is coming up and I am really proud to be in a better place than I was even a year ago.

3. I was an extra in a crowd scene at a hockey game in the Russell Peters movie Breakaway and I was also an extra in the music video for Aaron Tippin's There Ain't Nothin' Wrong With the Radio. And it was take after take after take...It's fun to say I did it, though. I was also once on a local children's show back home and on the news a few times. How am I not famous yet? I kid!

4. I have anxiety issues along with mild OCD and depression. I have good and bad days and I will always be open about it, because I believe we need to drop the stigma associated with mental health.

5. I also believe we should drop the stigma around infertility. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it, but it is okay if you do as well. It took me a long time to get to the point where I can talk about it. It hits everyone differently. And as always, if you suffer from any of the aforementioned issues, please feel free to contact me. I'm always ALWAYS willing to talk and listen to you.

6. I love to cook and bake. I'm always trying new recipes and my recipe folder is always growing on Pinterest. I sometimes share recipes on here, but I haven't in a good while. I'll try to rectify that soon and maybe share some summer recipes later on!

7. In my life, I've had two main recurring dreams. One was from my childhood where a giant ape was chasing me. And the other is still recurring in that I'm marrying George Clooney (I'm sooooo okay with that dream- keep it coming)! Gotta say I'm pretty happy to no longer be chased by an ape.

8. My favorite Disney princess is Belle and that is partly due to the castle's library she gets to enjoy. So many books. *insert heart eye emoji here*

9. I have had an obsession with planners since sixth grade and it has only grown. I've been doodling, using loads of stickers, and using them almost as journals since before it all became the big thing that it is now. Did I start the craze? I'm not saying yes, but I'm not saying no either. I'll pretend the answer is a yes. And you're welcome. ;)

10. What to share for the last fact in this post? Well, I'm an avid believer in ghosts and spirits. I don't know many people from the south who aren't, because we are among some of the most haunted places. I saw my first spirit when I was close to five. My aunt and I were both sitting in the living room when we looked up and both saw my recently departed great grandma look in on us and continue walking down the hall. I'll never forget that moment. I saw a few after that. I haven't seen any as I have gotten older, but I sometimes get a feeling like my hair stands up on my arms or my emotions kick into overdrive. I think it is all fascinating! I could spend all day watching the ghost hunting shows on TV and I love going on ghost walks and tours. It's okay if you think that sounds crazy!

And there we have it, ten more facts about me! If you relate to any of these, let me know! Thanks for putting up with my absence this past week while I was on a staycation. It was so nice to drop everything for a few days! I hope you all have a great weekend.

New Year, Improved Me

I'm seeing a lot of "New Year, New You" and "New Year, New Me" posts lately. I get it with the new year and all. In a way, this is one of them but I'm not looking to be "new". Just "improved". I don't like to make resolutions that I will not reach (waaaayyy too much pressure), but I do like to make goals that are attainable and can improve my life in various ways. So here are some goals that I look forward to working on this year!

1. Read more. I love to read, but I feel like I pushed it more to the side last year.
2. Try more new recipes. I've already gotten a pretty good start on this and have been sharing a few of the ones I've tried on my Snapchat (@wendybanner).
3. More date nights. I'm happy with nights in, but sometimes we get into a rut. And we always love a good date night! It feels fresh!

4. Skincare and pamper days. It may not come across on my social media, but I'm actually really bad at taking some time to wind down and pamper myself or remembering to take as good care of my skin as I should. Time for more of that! (Skincare featured is by Cocoon Apothecary and the review is coming next week!)
5. Be present. Often times my phone is my shield, my BFF, my lifeline. Last year, I got better at putting it down and just being "there". But I want to build on that.
6. Buy less fluff and more of what I truly enjoy. My spending habits have gone way down in recent years and I'm really learning to be more particular about what deserves my money. I want to continue this path and not just buy to be buying.

7. Be more active. My knee injury forces me to be active, because it has to MOVE. I still rely on a cane sometimes, but I'm walking a little more without it on each outing. I know I can do better. I want this to be the year that I get my knee as straight as I can, bend it as much as it will allow, and build my stamina back up to be able to walk without getting tired and winded. "He who limps is still walking" is my mantra this year.
8. Talk to you guys more. I do my best to respond to every comment, email, you name it. I'm not a "big blogger" by any means and I don't mean it to sound like that. I just know that I really like it when a blogger takes the time to respond to most of my questions and comments. Every blogger and person on social media should take the time to communicate or why bother being on here?
9. Think more positively. I'm one of the first to say "I can't..." or "I don't think I..." I want to start taking away some of those negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. 
10. Keep this blog going and growing. Last year was one of my most successful years and I want to keep that going. This year is off to a promising start! I keep hearing about how video is this year's thing, but I'm not entirely comfortable with that. While I have a YouTube account that I use daily, I very rarely upload to it. Editing requires a lot of time and effort on top of the time and effort this blog and social media already takes. I find the most successful YouTubers do not seem to be bloggers, so it is great that they have a main focus and that one channel to market. For me, my blog is my focus and passion. I'm also not very comfortable in front of a camera. I understand video being huge, but I'm not sure it is in my future at least not in an everyday way. I might fiddle around and see if I can figure a way to make it work for me. You'll be the first to know, if so!

What are some of your goals for this year? I'd love to hear them!

Happy (Belated) 9th Blogiversary to Me!

For the first time in nine years, I forgot about my blogging anniversary for this blog. What?! How could I?! On September 7, 2016, this little space of mine turned nine years old. So close to hitting a decade and I honestly cannot believe it. I certainly did not start it thinking that I would stick with it this long, but I've let it evolve with me and it's still my favorite creative outlet.

Sure, I enjoy Instagram and Snapchat and all of those other social media sites. But this blog allows me to have a bigger voice with a longer opinion. I can't limit my thoughts on a product with Twitter's 140 character limit, that's for sure! There's just a special place in my heart for blogs. It's disheartening to hear people say they don't really read or comment on blogs anymore when there are such good quality blogs out there!

I was never sure how long I would keep this going and these nine years have gone by in the blink of an eye. There have been some wonderful opportunities come my way and friends crossing my path all because of this blog. That will always be special and meaningful to me.  I still have a lot of readers on here that have been here since the beginning or close to it. That's so amazing and it does not get lost on me.

Blogging keeps changing, but I just want to continue getting on here and sharing what I love. Rather it be beauty, travel, recipes, fashion...I just want to keep letting it grow with me. Bloggers are more than what you see on our blogs, but our blogs should still reflect our personality and character in what and how we choose to share. I hope you get that from my posts and my other social media outlets. I don't want to be like anyone else. I just want to be the best me that I can be!

So rather you came here on day 1 or just got here five seconds ago, thank you for investing your time on Fashionable Heart. I love how many of you I have gotten to know through here and your other social media links. You guys are the best! Now to experience a new blogging year of growth, dedication, and fun times. Time to reach that decade mark!

A Few More Things About Me

Because why not? It has been since 2014 that I did my last post like this. Literally two years to this day and I didn't even plan that. I just noticed! If you're anything like me, sometimes you enjoy knowing more about the person behind a blog. And while I try to give you an idea of who I am on here and my other social media sites, you still only see certain things. So here are some random little tidbits!

1. I have mild OCD and anxiety. Both can get pretty bad, but I have them under control most days. Yoga has been a huge help for me.

2. I'm really shy and nervous during a first meeting. It takes a little while for me to get out of my shell. Once I am, good luck at getting me back in it!

3. I am an avid list maker. I even have a list called "Lists I Still Need to Make". I really do.

4. I used to hate shopping for shoes, because my feet are big, flat, and wide. Now, there are such cute options out there and most brands seem to cater to those needs. I only wish the same could be said about plus-sized clothing. Christian Siriano gives me hope in both categories!

5. One of my favorite parts of the week is getting up on Sunday morning, cranking one of my Spotify playlists, and dance and sing while I make our breakfast. 

6. It's summer and my favorite reality TV show is on- Big Brother! Anyone else a fan? I am so happy the teams twist is over. 

7. I've mentioned it before, but I play the flute and piccolo. I started in sixth grade and did concert band until high school and marching band in high school and college. I still love playing, but don't as much as I would like to. Band geek forever!

8. I like supporting other bloggers. I always try to retweet links of at least two bloggers a day on Twitter and choose a featured blogger each month on here. I try to follow back bloggers on all of my social media and interact. Showing support and kindness is easy and worth it! 

I'd love to hear if we have any of the above in common! Hope you all have a great weekend!

One Year Since My Tibial Plateau Fracture

Yesterday marked one year since my injury. My "akneeversary", if you will! And while it was at the back of my mind, I did my best not to focus on it. I've spent every day of the past year focused on this darn knee of mine and I wanted to reclaim June 27th.

I played with my dog and stood out on my balcony in the sunshine. I stood at the stove and made dinner and cleaned up around the house. Just standing has become such a beautiful gift to have back! I tried not to think about the things that now take more effort or that I can no longer do. I did the things that I can do! I'm not back to where I was, I might never be. I still walk with a slight limp until I get my extension back and I pull out the cane for long distances. But I'm walking and I'm stronger, mentally and physically now.

I approached the day quite scared of how I would handle it, but the thing is that I CAN handle it. I've had to handle a lot this past year and this just put it all in perspective. Each day gets a little better. Maybe I'm not where I want to be in progress, but I can't deny myself the acknowledgment of the progress that has been made.

This year has been the hardest thing I have ever gone through and injuries like this put your emotions through the ringer. They put everything you have to the test! I started off in the most physical pain I ever been in, went through anger, sadness, impatience, more sadness, more anger, and then finally acceptance. This is an injury that I have to deal with for the rest of my life. I have one plate and six screws in my left leg. They'll stay there unless they begin to cause problems. I have a higher chance of arthritis and a knee replacement as I get older. It is a lot to take in and accept!

Some people expect you to just bounce right back and that just isn't the case a lot of the time. I slowly went from wheelchair, to walker, to cane, to my own two feet. Three months were spent not being able to put any weight at all on my left leg. A year later and I'm still going to physio twice a month and would go more if I could afford it. I'm still barely at 80° flexion on a good day. I'm still learning how to walk properly and do daily activities like getting up from chairs, stairs, etc. I'm still building up all of that lost muscle and beating down scar tissue to straighten my leg. Every single day is leg day. And yes, it sucks.

This tibial plateau fracture is tough and a hard pill to swallow. The lessons I got from it, though? Those outweigh the bad things. I learned how strong I am. How hard it is to be so dependent on others and appreciative of them being there at the same time. I grew in my faith. My husband really stepped up to the plate and I realized just how concrete our bond truly is. I am more of a fighter than I thought I was, because this forces you to tackle everything head on.

It takes a lot from you and gives a lot back in various ways. I won't say I'm grateful (that would be crazy talk!) for the TPF, but I am no longer angry or sad about it. I hope to one day not have to focus on it so much, but I refuse to let it define me. One day at a time, one glorious step at a time!

To read about how I fractured my knee, I talk about it here. And if you come across this post because you also have a TPF, I highly recommend joining the Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery Facebook group. You'll find that you are not alone and it is a safe place to vent, celebrate, and everything in between! That group has continued to help me a great deal.

My Tenth Wedding Anniversary

Right now, we're driving back from the Lake Muskoka area of Ontario and heading to dinner tonight. It is our ten year wedding anniversary and we've been enjoying the week off together. I'll update soon with pictures from our trip. I found a place that is pet-friendly, so Indy was able to come along. It's always a nice weight off of my shoulders knowing that I don't have to board him.

In a lot of ways, I cannot believe that it has been ten years of marriage. The BIG ten. I feel so blessed to have Larry in my life. I don't talk about him often, because I keep a lot of things and people in my life private. But being injured this last year and having to relearn everything, he has truly shown me the meaning of "in sickness and in health". He has been by my side for all of it. He takes me to all of my appointments and cheers from the sidelines as he watches me struggle to walk. He took time off of work for months to care for me and help me get around.

But more than that, it is having that support, the love and admiration that I never doubt, and all of the memories and traditions that we have created and will create. There is no way that I can fully express the way I feel for my husband in this post. I'm so happy that I get to have and build this life that we have with someone that knows how to treat people with respect, that never fails to make me laugh (or groan at his corny jokes), and appreciates the smallest things in life as much as the biggest. I'm a lucky girl to love and be loved by someone like Larry. Everyone deserves that kind of love!