As I mentioned yesterday, I spent this past weekend in Estes Park, CO for my friend Julie’s wedding. The wedding was an absolute blast but I realized that if it had been a year ago, or even 6 months ago, I wouldn’t have had nearly as much fun.
After a ridiculous morning of traffic, almost missing our flight and a lost bag, Sarah and I were off to Estes and arrived just in time for a welcome cocktail/pizza party hosted by the bride’s family. Besides the bride and groom, who were busy greeting everyone, we knew no one.
Last year I would have stuck to Sarah’s side and we would have kept to ourselves. I used to be so much more self conscious, anxious and constantly worried about how other people would perceive me. You know where that left me? Alone. Having gotten help with my anxiety as well as developing a stronger faith, I’ve become so much more comfortable in my own skin and with putting myself out there. What’s there to lose?
Well, guess what? We made some friends who invited is back to their cabin and we, in turn, basically invited ourselves back the rest of the weekend. We had the best time with the best group of people; they made our weekend. If I hadn’t just put myself out there and started talking to people, it never would have happened; last year, it never would have happened.
It’s amazing how much we can grow and change in just one year. The old part of me would have thought this past year was a waste, even shameful. I graduate from law school and can’t get a job, spending a year draining my savings and depending on my parents. But looking back, I never would have changed so much for the better without this time. I wouldn’t have made my small group friends and I wouldn’t have learned how to lean on God. I never thought I would be thankful for a year of unemployment, but I am.
The rest of the weekend was spent hiking, relaxing, and constantly laughing. On Saturday we headed into the Rocky Mountain National Park and hiked to Lake Hellene.
The view was amazing and the pictures, as always, do it zero justice.
Sunday was the big wedding day with the ceremony on the top of our mountain and the reception at the Stanley Hotel.
The view was breathtaking, but even more so was the bride and groom. I’ve never cried so much at a wedding, but I’ve also never known the bride and groom so well or the love that they have for each other and God. I am beyond excited to see them start their life together.
I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect weekend, there were ups and downs, sun and hail storms, and so much love.
If you have any questions about my faith or how I dealt with my anxiety please don’t hesitate to email me atpeaceloveandoats@gmail.com.
I am SO happy for you! That’s a tough year, but you’ve handled it with such grace and positivity. And you have such maturity to realise how it has benefitted you. Something WILL come along on the job front, but you’ll be okay no matter what 🙂
Thank you Amanda! That’s so sweet of you to say.
It’s always kind of cool when I get moments like that – where I see how much I’ve changed. I usually don’t see it in the everyday, but when I look back over a longer period of time I can see changes.
It sounds like you have a great group of friends and a supportive family. I’m sure it helps to have support.
Yes, it definitely happens every once and a while and it’s so satisfying!
Wonderful post, Katie!! I have anxiety issues as well, but never hesitate to push myself beyond my comfort zone. It’s a daily struggle that is always worth enduring. I might email you about how you’ve dealt with the anxiety because I’m in grad school for counseling and am always looking for creative new ways to work with clients 🙂 I’m glad you had fun at the wedding!!
yes, definitely worth the struggle!
What a great post! I’m glad you’re able to see how you’ve grown. God throws us for a loop sometimes for a reason!
Exactly – God doesn’t make mistakes!
That wedding looks so wonderful and I’m so glad that you were able to put yourself out there and have a blast! I totally know what you mean about how you would have felt about the past year- I would have been the same, but lately God has been showing me all the things I have accomplished in the past year and all the ways I’ve grown and the people I would never had a chance to meet etc. His plan really is so much more amazing then our own!!
I agree 100%!!! Haha sometimes I just wish God would share his plan with me… ha
This post made me so happy! Way to go putting yourself out there and meeting new people! Before I moved to Omaha I was the same way. Here I’ve had to be outgoing if I wanted to meet anyone and it has worked out so well for me. It’s amazing what you can do when you step outside your comfort zone.
Yes, it’s getting out of that comfort zone that’s the hard part for me! haha
Wow what a beautiful post. It truly is amazing what God does in a year and especially during the most unexpected times. That’s so neat you met great people and got to watch your friends get married. The weddings like that always cause me to bawl like a baby too. There is nothing quite like watching a couple enter marriage with their focus on Christ.
Thanks, Carley! And yes, a marriage so focused on christ was a special thing to see, and now something I want for myself!
This post made me tear up! you’re gorgeous inside and out! I love that you came to realize you were grateful for hard times and were honest and transparent in sharing that with us. Also, how cool you found so many friends?! Loveeee that story.
It’s amazing what growth can happen when we just let God help us and allow His timing to be manifest in our lives. Beautiful post!! <3
Aww you are so sweet, Annette!