THIS IS YOUR LIFE

Engagement Photos

01.15.2012

Here is a sneak peak at our engagement photos. More are coming mid-February!

Happy New Year

01.02.2012

2011 proved to be a fantastic year! I met the love of my life, got engaged, and moved to Chicago!

So looking forward to this next year! Especially March 3, 2012 when I get to marry my love, my best friend, my perfect, David Stupay!!!

I love Christmas time! It’s one of my favorite times in the year. The music, twinkling trees, baking, stuffing stockings, candlelight evenings, cuddling up on the couch by the fire, gift giving, reading the Christmas story and remembering all that I have to be thankful for. I am especially thankful that I am home in Chicago with David.

As I daily reflect on this season, I am reminded that a Light truly did dawn in my life and I am no longer a person that walks in darkness!’ Hallelujah, Christ came! For me, for you, for all people. Rejoice and celebrate today!

David & Vanessa’s Engagement Story

11.28.2011

The story begins the morning of Wednesday, November, 23, 2011! I drove David to work, stopped at Starbucks, and then headed back to his condo to prepare food for Thanksgiving. As I opened the front door my eyes immediately caught a vase of flowers sitting on the ottoman in the living room. These flowers were not there before I left so I walked over and there was a note taped to the vase that said; ‘A gift for you because…’ so I opened and read the inside of the note. The words were so sweet and made me smile big! As I walked into the kitchen another gift caught my eye! This one couldn’t be missed as it took up the majority of the counter space! Then I opened the cupboard and another gift, all with a card attached that said; ‘A gift for you because…’ within each card the inside words revealed something about David and I’s relationship or my character. Extremely sweet and beautiful! By the time I got to gift number 3 I decided to text David to make sure that I should be opening all these gifts? His response; ‘YES!!!’

I went about opening the gifts and giggling as I opened each one. A short time later David called and I told him of all the gifts that I had found and how excited I was to receive all of them, he then told me that I had not found all of them. What?! I had 5 more to find, so I excitedly started scouring the condo. Eventually I found the remaining 4 of 5 but could not find the last one. I called David told him that I couldn’t find the gift and he told me that I was overlooking it and that it was in plain sight! So for the next 6 hours I tore the condo apart trying to find the last gift! David did give me a few hints, but they all just seem to confuse me further.

By mid afternoon, I had accomplished nothing and need to head back to David’s office to pick him up so we could get dinner at our favorite place -Penny’s! Throughout dinner David told me that he could not believe that I didn’t find the last gift and that it was in plain sight in the TV room. I happily and confidentially argued that I had searched high and low in the TV room and could not find it. David continued to give me a hard time and reassure me that once we returned to the condo it would be there.

After dinner we went back to the condo and walked into the TV room, sure enough there was a mid-size pink bag sitting on the end table. My first response was; ‘No way! That was not there all day!’ David had a huge smile on his face and told me to open it, so I did! The gift was a booklet to Sandals Resorts, St. Lucia! At first glance I was a bit confused, David’s response to my confused look was; ‘I bought you a trip to St. Lucia!’ my immediate response was; ‘Are you going with me?’ and this is when David got down on one knee, pulled out a ring and said; ‘Only if you’ll marry me!’ My response was a resounding; ‘YES!’

I couldn’t be more thrilled to be able to marry the man of my dreams! Life with David is amazing and I know that God has unbelievably blessed me! Thank you to all for your widely huge support, we love you and are so thankful for each person that has encouraged and been apart of this part of our journey. We know that this is just the beginning of an incredible story!

San Francisco

11.15.2011

Being in Love

11.09.2011

This photo explains it all!

Being in love with David Stupay is absolutely amazing!

Bacon Cupcakes!!!

10.11.2011

So I had Bacon Cupcakes delivered to David’s office today!

They are a pancake batter cake with maple frosting and real bacon strips on top.

He says they’re ‘solid’!

Yay, WIN!

Summer 2011 REWIND

09.18.2011

Well it has proven to be a busy summer. Busy, but incredibly fun and life changing! As we welcome the first day of Autumn on Friday I wanted to reflect on the summer. I have been rather absent from my blogs over the past few months. Some due to the busyness of life and all that it brings but also for the pure fact that a great man has captured my attention and heart. Some may have read ‘The Short Version‘ which explained in brief of how we met and where our relationship has developed. Our relationship has been that of a long distant one, as David was in Africa the entire time up to the last 3 weeks. So much of my time this summer was invested in emailing, Skyping, and talking on the phone with him. It was has been a wonderful adventure and I wouldn’t trade our story for anything.

But I did want to take time to reflect. As I look back on the summer, I am reminded at how blessed of a life I get to live. My God is forever faithful and good! It’s a joy to live for Him and His glory! I am confident that His plans are far better than my own and with every new season I continue to grow in loving Him and the people I get to do life with even more deeply.

Memories that were made….

Started a relationship with David Stupay via Twitter that changed my life.
Visited Botanical Gardens, Denver.
Went to my first rodeo and wore cowgirl boots.
Moved to a new house.
Went to the drive-in for the first time in my adult life.
Hiked Eldorado Springs Canyon with Nichelle.
Watched the sunset over the foothills on several evenings.
Ran trails in Fort Collins, Petoskey, Bedford, Toledo, and Chicago.
Did an Esther study with Rachel, Becky, and Nichelle.
Took numerous coffee breaks with Becky.
Went Gluten Free.
Fell in love with the man of my dreams.
Found myself pool side many weekends.
Vacationed with my entire family in Petoskey, MI.
Went home for a week.
Spent time with friends that I will have for life.
Hugged and squeezed my Hannah as much as possible for the week we were together.
Spent time with my grandma.
Received flowers from a boy for the first time in my life!
Body surfed in Lake Michigan.
Ate an abundance of Sushi.
Spent time with my cousins; Olivia and Elizabeth.
Had a sleep over with Kelly.
‘Planked’ and ‘Owled’ with Caleb.
Laughed often.
Spent numerous evenings on the porch with my roommates.
Waited for the love of my life to return stateside.
Had morning coffee and conversation with my mom.
Photographed as much as possible.
Read a few books.
Finally found myself in the same breathing space as David.
Visited Chicago.
Tried to embrace every moment!

The Short Version

09.09.2011

A boy started following me on Twitter

I started following the boy on Twitter

One year later I was intrigued with his photography so I FB friend requested him

Our mutual interest in photography started short email conversations

Short turned into long email conversations

Emails turned into Skype dates

Skype dates turned into daily phone dates

The phone dates turned into us visiting each others worlds

And now a little over 3 months, 6 countries, and 4 continents later

We are madly in love

So that’s the short version of David and I’s story. The last 3 months have been incredible! We are both grateful for the miracle God performed in bringing us together. His goodness is oh so good! If I could lend any advice it would be to let God write your story. Waiting on Him to bring about His purposes, is so worth it!