They always say the first step is admitting.

I have a huge confession to make...I am addicted to Diet Coke. BUT starting today I am done. I do not want cancer. I do not want diabetes. I do NOT WANT my glow from my skin to go away. I do not want my kidneys to not work. These are all things Diet Coke causes. I have been drinking a glass of cancer almost everyday. I am too embarrassed and ashamed to admit how much Diet Coke I drink a  day so I will keep that a secret. Some days I don't drink any. I use to think I was okay because I also drink almost 80 ounces of water a day. False. I am digging my own grave at 23.

To help jump start my Diet Coke free life, I googled it. I do not recommend doing this will all things. It can be scary, and may cause you to never eat certain foods again (for me I looked up hot dogs once. Bad idea).  This was the first website I found from Well and Good NYC. Now that I know some facts about it I can quit. I am not just quitting Diet Coke, but all sodas in general. Wish me luck. And pray for the headaches to go away ASAP.

 

 

10 days of pure Bliss

Birthdays.Forts.Playing House.Movies.Walks.Shopping.

[CAUTION: This is extremely mushy and gross]

 

The past 10 days have been amazing. I was fortunate enough to spend everyday with my babe. Those of you know that we are currently long distance. So anytime I get to spend with him, I like to give him my undivided attention and make each moment last. I always say when we are together, we are like a "real couple". He does not like this. I think its funny, probably more so because it annoys him.

 

We were able to start out our 10 days by celebrating Michael's 22nd birthday. I could not wait. I started buying him gifts well over a month ago. I loved spoiling him. He deserves every bit of it. The night started off by me showing up in Rexburg. I would not tell him what time I was arriving. I kept teasing him by telling him I was still in Provo, or maybe I was already in Rexburg. Then with the help of his sister Brooke and a few friends, we took him to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. Just to be more fun we put a bandanna on him. No special reason or surprise, just because we could.

 

 

 

Next.

 

After spending the weekend in Rexburg, I returned back home. Michael followed behind me the next day. We were so lucky to spend the next week together. We can honestly say we had way too much time on our hands. Watched almost a full season of The Office, 1,234,242 movies, went out to eat a lot, shopped, and played(abused me), date nights, made brownies, and built forts.

 

 

I had a real taste of what being married feels like. We would make breakfast, lunch and dinner. If I worked he would come and take me out for my break. I was so lucky to come home to him at the end of my day. We would make dinner together (mostly me ha ha), he would help with cleaning up. It was pure bliss. I loved starting my day to him, and ending my night with him.

 

 

 

 

 M is for Miller. Which is my last name, but today its for Missing Michael. Since he left me to go home to Texas for the rest of summer. Lucky for me I fly out to see him in 24 days. Please oh please go by fast.

 

Last but not least, I am so grateful for our date nights to the Temple. It is one of our favorite things to do. Since our first date and every time we are together, we go to the Temple and walk around. This is one of those special things that bonds us closer. Its not physical, its not emotional, its spiritual. It is something we both believe in. I am so grateful for this wonderful man in my life, who I love so dearly.

On our way to the Draper Temple

"...but I found him whom my soul loveth:.." Song of Solomon 3:4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Todays post is going to be a bit harder to write...I think this is due to timing. Next week will be one year ago that my wonderful Grandma passed away, and a birthday for a dear friend. Something I am learning is that as you get older, you are forced to take a look at your friends and relationships. You need to keep those around who support you and help lift you up.

 

Those who help you be the best that you can be.

Those who you can count on no matter what. Those who are the happiest for you, at the happiest moments in your life. Those you can see in 15 years still being a major part of your life. Those who support you

 

....I never wanted to be one of those girls who once she was in a relationship she lost herself. Lost her friends. I try very hard to still be the best friend I can be and make those friendships of mine a priority. But as you get older its harder. I find that sometimes I don't have enough time that week or weeks for my friends. I work two jobs, have a long distance boyfriend, and have countless things to do each day. There is just not enough time in the day. It is even harder when friendships are out of state. You can go weeks without talking or seeing one another, but the best part of friendships like that is that they pick up right where you left off.

We are growing up, starting our own lives. Creating those lives. How is that so hard to understand? But now taking a step back and taking a clear look at my relationships, I find that I have an even greater appreciation for those in my life now. How grateful I am for their patience and understanding. How grateful I am for the fact that they stick around. How grateful I am that they know that I am in the stage in my life, where my next chapter is getting married to the man I love. How grateful I am that they don't make me pick sides. How grateful I am that they love me enough to just let me be.

I just want to yell at you, and scream at you for being so selfish. I just want you to see what you said to me. You literally told me to pick another date for my wedding [ which there is NO DATE SET] or a [Proposal]. That's not a healthy friendship. Its a toxic one. But no matter how mad I am, I will always be grateful for the years we had, for all the times you were there for me. For all the times you had my back. For all of our funny memories. For all those all-nighters we pulled in college. I meant what I said when I wish you the best. We are just starting new chapters in our lives. This is apart of growing up.

Missing in Love....maybe action?

Where on earth have I been? Not blogging about my life and super sweet travel adventures, that is where. But instead I have been falling in love with the most amazing man I have ever met. My sweet Michael. I don't even know where to start about how blessed and grateful I am to have him.

How it all began.....

PART 1
It was the weekend March 30th and I was working at Chili's like normal. One of my very best friends from high school was in town from Rexburg for the holiday weekend (Easter). He came in to see me with a few of his roommates and friends from BYU Idaho.
.....PAUSE. A few hours, maybe a day before this I knew Bradyn was in town and had that night off from work, but instead of going and hanging out with him and his friends I decided to work. Plus I had plans that night with another guy.
.....PLAY. Bradyn and several very attractive guys walk into Chili's to my section. This was the night my life changed forever. There was Michael, and at the time he doesn't remember this but he introduced himself as Mike. I helped set up a table for all these boys with free drinks and chips. I sat there talking to all of them and thinking "had I known good looking boys like this go to BYUI, I would have finished my application 4 years ago". I remember looking across the table and staring at Michael, watching him watching me. Hanging on every word I said. I couldn't help but stare at him. He even moved seats to leave me an open one to sit next to him. I had to politely decline, only because I needed to watch the restaurant and for my manager. Sitting on the job is not permitted ;).

The very next day, Michael added me on Facebook and messaged me thanking me for the drinks and chips. Such a sweetheart. We continued to talk everyday for the next few until he finally asked me for my number (LONGEST 3 days of my life). We couldn't stop talking, after this. Everyday.

Little by little, all the other boys I was talking too started to fade from my life. My feelings for Michael began to grow. The more I learned about this guy, the more I liked him. I was so comfortable with him. It felt so natural. There were a few times he came back into town and meeting up did not work...so after the 4th attempt to meet again in person failed, we decided to take the next step in this new forming relationship and Skype and or Facetime. Let the late nights begin....

 

 

May 10th 2013





Our First date

After the longest month and a half of my life, Michael came down to Provo for the weekend. What an eventful weekend, and scary. I wasn't sure how anything would turn out. The first date had to go well for the rest of our weekend to continue. Or for any future plans to be "planned".

 

What an amazing first date..Remember this is the first time I had seen him since the weekend in March. I was so nervous to see him, as was he. When I heard that knock on the door I ABOUT had a heart attack. Michael showed up at my door with my favorite flowers, Tulips. He looked so handsome with his plaid button up and Sperry's. His hair was a lot more auburn "red" then I remembered. It made me laugh. My first date with a ginger. A very handsome ginger I might add. He took me to dinner at Olive Garden, followed by a fun night at the Nickel City , a walk around the Provo Temple and a movie at my house. It was definitely one of those marathon dates.

This was the same night that he kissed me. I NEVER EVER kiss on the first date, well that's not true. I never kiss on the first date if I find myself interested in the person. But for him, it was worth it.

 

Since the first date went well, the weekend continued. I woke up to Michael making me breakfast in my kitchen. SO sweet. This followed by us going to City Creek, shopping, walking around the Temple and lunch.

 

Time was flying and I wanted to be with him every moment. That evening we decided to drive up the canyon and go lay out under the sun in the park. We talked for hours and hours, napped, kissed, and cuddled. I couldn't have been happier. This is when My Life Really Changed.

 

Michael: " Erica what would your Grandma say about us"

Erica: " That she was happy for me and happy for us"

Michael: "Erica if we are going to date then I think you need to change your cover photo on Facebook." (HAHA my cover page said "Im not a princess I am a queen, I got this sh** handled")

Erica: " Michael what does that mean, if we are going to date?"

Michael: " Erica I don't want to rush you or us but will you be my girlfriend?"

Erica: "Michael, when you don't feel rushed and you feel as if there had been enough time and are ready for this, I want you to ask me that question again"

...

...

...

...

LONGEST 5 minutes of my life

...

Michael: "Erica Elizabeth Miller, will you be my girlfriend"

Erica: "YES!"

 

On May 11th 2013 I made the best decision of my life by saying yes to my best friend. I hope to continue to say yes to this amazing man that came into my life. I cant imagine life without him, and cant wait to see what the future holds for us.