The Best Kind of Lucky!

I was looking through our photos today--randomly reminiscing. Tomorrow, we will be 24! Time flies.

I am finding it hard to articulate how grateful I am for you. I have never thought of it as just my day--it is our day! (I have always loved, however, how Mom+Dad strived to give us independence by having our own cakes growing up)...We learned from a young age how twins originate from a scientific and physical sense but something I have thought about more as we have aged is why we were so "randomly" lucky--> God paired me with you, to enter and experience this life---together. Yes, being a twin has brought hardships and trials most will never understand but it has also brought strength, joy, and love that is hard to articulate. I count having you as my twin sister as one of my greatest blessings in my whole life! No one quite knows my sense of humor like you or can get me laughing as hard as you. I feel more complete and alive when we are together. The way we think, act, and speak--is so closely aligned. We were wired similarly yet we have so many magnificent differences. It has made for quite the team the last 24 years! 

You have been there with me through it all....traveling the world, awkward stages, break-ups, sports tournaments, moving a bazillion times, college, temple trips, dating, all nighters, marathon/triathlons, marriage...you name it, you were there by my side. I mean, we learned to communicate before we could talk. It's the moments that I don't have to say anything and I know you just understand. You know my soul unlike anyone and it is something I will forever cherish. I love you! Happy Birthday!

We have traveled to various destinations around the world together (pictured here: Jerusalem, Jordan, Mt.Sinai, Egypt, Alaska):

 

We graduated high school + college together!

Three of my favorite photos of us from my wedding, were completely candid. It was when I came out of the temple to see you for the first time. To me, this picture symbolizes one of our first major separation breaks. It was hard--we lived together all of our lives. That next year and a half was one of significant growth as we learned to live fully apart.

 

 Happy Birthday, Chels! I love you! 

xoxoxo

BIRTHDAY BLISS!

My/Our Birthday ROCKED! One of the best ones yet!

I am surrounded by such amazing family and friends. 

I love Chels! I love being her twin.

We have been through it all together and I feel so privileged and grateful to share a birthday with someone I so deeply love and admire.

Unfortunately, I was not able to spend the day with her... B-U-T due to the fact that Carson was in Poland for a week (post coming up on that fab trip later!) I was able to spend almost all of the week with her. I am talking {quality} time, just like we always did, along with my family. WOW. It was like a dream. My family is everything to me. [P.s. My mom and sisters took me to yoga (4x) and I fell in love w/ it-->seriously, I waited this long to discover this treasure?!]  It was such a fantastic WEEK. Thank you family for taking extra good care of me--for feeding me, waking up at 6am to wipe the snow from my car before work, and for spoiling me rotten. 

Sunday. February 9.

I woke up to an amazing/hilarious setup, balloons, a banner at the Garrett household. Kenna, my beyond marvelous mother-in-law is without a doubt one of the most thoughtful + loving people I know. {I am positive she changes lives every day.}  I almost cried when I saw it. I could not believe it-- I love this family. They treat me like one of their own. I even got to eat off of the "celebratory plate." (Yup, that is me in my awwwkward stage when I was obsessed with tigers and wrote various Chinese leaders to educate them on their roles to prevent the extinction of Bengal Tigers.) The whole thing was so meaningful and kind.

ALSO... Did I mention, Carson and Phil returned home from their 8-day (felt more like a century:) Business/Mission excursion? Having Carson home felt like CHRISTMAS! 

We went over to the Jackson household and had dinner and our traditional birthday treat with Liza and my parents (cupcakes in ice cream cones!) I could not stop smiling.

Needless to say, it was a G-O-O-D day.

Seriously. I could barely go to sleep that night, I felt so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the love and kindness I felt from all of you. 

Thank you, ALL OF YOU, again. I am so incredibly blessed.

"Double Take"

Love Laura's freckles ^^

 Life has been so very busy and so very good. One of the many things we that have taken place: Last weekend, Chels and I photographed a wedding. First time. My Dad was joking that we should start a photography business called "Double Take." We are too busy at the moment but it was a hilariously creative suggestion! Here are just a few of the many snapshots (from my end) of that beautiful event. 

***

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

-Lao Tzu

College Grads

Friday, we graduated from BYU!

It was the happiest of days.

After countless hours of studying, working (& playing!), and preparing for this moment: it happened. 

We are official college graduates. 

 Chels and I have been together from the beginning...literally. I still remember the days spent using our wild imaginations building forts in the dumpsters behind our house, the (MAJOR) awkward stages, all the first days of new schools (we moved 11 times growing up-->we had quite a few first days), the dances/plays we put on for our parents on our child-crafted stages, the first kisses, the sports teams, traveling across the world, we did it all. We did it all together. 

As we get older, our paths slowly diverge in different directions (naturally)--> new people, opportunities, and responsibilities enter our lives. So, it was so very special to make this monumental step together--I would have had it no other way.

We spent the day surrounded by our closest loved ones; the people who have been cheering us along the entire way. 

***

They went to two ceremonies (I know, the life of having twins.

We do everything in two's.) Good thing they were short ceremonies: 

Doesn't Chels look so cute riding her bike to the ceremony?

^^I came across this picture and I LOVE it. These two are my angels and my loves.

As I sat in the Marriott Center, I looked up to see my husband, my sweet parents, my sisters, my Garrett family, and my Grandparents smiling and waving at me. I was so overcome with deep feelings of gratitude. I felt empowered. I felt love. I felt confident. I felt strength. Because of them. They are the reason I was sitting in that chair that day. They are the reason I continue fitting for my dreams. The last few days, I have been overcome with love. The moments I look at where my life has taken me and where I am going, I just cannot help but cry. The people and the blessings that surround me give me every reason to be happy.

I am going to miss this life I have embraced for the last four years. I love college. I love the time I spent here. A part of me will always be here. I will forever cherish the experiences and wisdom I have gained from this little Happy Valley. Unfortunately, I don't have much time to soak it all in, as the next chapter of my life is knocking at the door. In less than 48 hours, I will be in front of hundreds of students, some only 4-5 years younger than I am, teaching U.S. History and Govt. in my own classroom. (I graduated with a degree in Social Science Teaching and a minor in music.) I never anticipated doing this but I was guided here for some reason. Although I am just a fresh college grad, there are differences to be made and people to serve. 

I am so very excited and passionate about teaching.

Am I in a little over my head? Probably. Am I nervous? Definitely. Am I ready to instill in the next generation a motivation for learning and a power to follow their dreams? Absolutely. 

 I do not know what the next 50 years has in store--I don't even know what the next year has in store--but I do know:

I want to live a life of learning. I want to live a life with love and passion for what I am doing.  

I want live a life of continual progression and service. 

***Thank you, Mom and Dad, for raising me to believe I could be and do anything.

 Thank you for loving me enough to get me here. 

***

"The heart of human excellence often begins to beat when you discover a pursuit that absorbs you, frees you, challenges you, and gives you a sense of meaning, joy and passion."