MAROON 5

Going to concerts is my jam. Sometimes they are super loud, people around you are annoying/drunk, or you have crappy seats, but I just love being able to sing along at the top of my lungs to songs I know and no one can hear me... because again, it's so loud in there! This past week, Matthew and I got to go to the Maroon 5 concert in Phoenix. I absolutely LOVE Maroon 5. I have listened to them since I was in junior high. I heard they were coming to town, but I didn't get tickets because everyone I talked to didn't really seem like they wanted to go. But then, one night as Matthew and I were coming home from dinner, a Maroon 5 song comes on and BAM I whipped out my good ol' iPhone and got us tickets. Boy am I glad I did! That concert was nuts.

I couldn't have chosen anyone better to be at that concert with than Matthew. It was so fun to sing and laugh with him. Plus, BONUS we got to meet a little Asian lady who sat next to us who was so much fun. She had never been to a concert before, so you know when "Sugar" started to play, she was up and out of her seat dancing. She was so cute!

I 10/10 recommend going to a Maroon 5 concert if you get the chance. It was sure one to remember.

"Feelin' 22"

22 YEARS AGO TODAY... Matthew came into this world, and BOY am I glad that happened.
The past two years, we have had to deal with celebrating this guys birthday over email and care packages, but today was finally different. We started the birthday weekend with a trip to Benihana's for some yummy dinner and then ended the night with the premiere of the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Matthew & his brother are major Star Wars guys, and even though I don't always understand everything that is going on, this movie was super good.

But besides the movie and the yummy dinner, the main point is we got to celebrate Matthew. WITH MATTHEW FINALLY BEING HERE! Like I've said before, to this day, I am still beyond grateful to have this guy home. He is so special. I have never met anyone quite like him. He deserves not just a birthday to feel special, but a year around feeling of being special. He is always so kind, loving, and selfless and he always knows how to make you laugh. I am so glad to have him back in Arizona for good, and to be able to celebrate his day with him. To many more birthdays to come!

Happy birthday to my favorite guy.

(Here are a few throwbacks (from oldest to newest). We have definitely grown up a lot over the years. So blessed that I met this guy almost 8 years ago. He sure makes life fun.)

The MOST Wonderful Time of the Year!

It's finally Christmas time, and what is Christmas without lots of pretty lights?
This weekend, Matthew and I got to take a trip to the Illumination Phoenix exhibit with my best friend Becca and her boyfriend Justin.
This place is nuts! If you're wanting to see some amazing Christmas lights while sitting in the warmth of your car, this is your place.

Illumination Phoenix

Boy do I love having this guy home. Matthew makes everything more fun!
Merry Christmas all. <3

(btw, make sure to pack a warm jacket... as you can tell from the last picture I was freezzziiinnnggg)

Can you believe it?! I know I can't. 2 years down and he is HOME! This week has literally (and I MEAN literally) been the best week of my life. I don't think I have stopped smiling for the past 3 days. Wednesday was the day. He came running off of that airplane to meet us all at the Phoenix Airport. I immediately began tearing up at the thought of this special guy being back in Arizona. Since then, it has been a whirlwind! Even though I haven't been able to see much of him since he's been home, the thought of him being back in AZ and being less than 5 minutes from my house is the best! Right now he's with his family in Disneyland and I couldn't be happier for him because HE IS HAPPY. His smile and his happiness bring me so much joy. Bottom line, I love having this guy back. Now I know time will tell what's in store for the both of us, but I just hope that no matter what he is always happy. I would be the luckiest girl alive to date this guy again. Now before anyone gets nervous or worried, we aren't officially "dating" as of right now, BUT we have been texting each other religiously for the past 3 days, so that means something, right? ;) It has literally been 3 days since he's been home and I am already beyond smitten with this guy! I don't think I could ever put into words how special he is to me. If I could, I would spend every waking minute with him. He is the funniest, sweetest, kindest, most handsome, and amazing person on this earth. This guy will always be my number one.

xoxo, Raych

P.S. Doesn't his handsome face just make you want to melt?!

Happy one year, lover!

Today is the day! One year ago today my missionary left to serve the Lord for 2 whole years. The past year has been very hard, but also very strengthening. Matthew is an incredible missionary. Above all the rest! I know I am a bit biased ;) He has given me so much strength and wisdom through his mission, and I could not be anymore proud of him. 

I still remember the night before he left for his mission. We were texting, as we usually did, and I remember how hard it was to say goodbye that night. We always hated saying goodbye to each other, but that night was the hardest of all, because we knew that it would be 2 whole years until we would see each other again. I have never felt a heart break so deep like the one I had one year ago. Even to this day I still feel a piece of my heart missing, but I know that Argentina needs him right now and that I can see him again soon. Mathew is the most amazing boy I have ever met. He is so special to me and every day I am so grateful to be a part of his world. Even though he's far away, he is still in my heart forever. 2 years of waiting for a missionary is a long time, but he is every bit worth it. 

365 days till I can hug my boy again!

I love you because...

Today was a hard day for my best friend, Becca. Her boyfriend Justin was given the opportunity to work at Intel in California for 3 months, and although it is an amazing opportunity for him, it is super hard for Becca... and trust me! I totally know how it feels when your boyfriend leaves. But, on a positive note, Justin and Becca are literally the cutest couple on the face of this earth. There has never been two people more meant for each other than them. They are both kind to one another, selfless, loving, and they have such a fun time together. When you watch them together, there is no doubt that their love is true and genuine. Before Justin left, he gave Becca a letter (double sided!) with reasons why he loved her. I totally loved that idea, so even though my Matthew is away until August 2017, I started my own little letter for him. I filled an entire page front and back with ease. There are so many things I love about that sweet boy I just can't even begin to say. After I finished, I folded it, sealed it up in an envelope, and tucked it into my special "Matthew box"...and let me explain that as well. I have a box that I was given by my young women's leader when I had just turned 12, and it has a picture of the Mesa, AZ temple on it. When I met Matthew when I was 14, I decided that this box would be dedicated to him. So, from most every date we've been on, and from other adventures we've taken, I have tucked little things away so that one day he can open it and see all of our great memories we have had together over the years. He doesn't know about this box yet, but he will someday.
I am so grateful for love. Yes, that sounds cheesy, but I am. Whether it be love to a spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, sibling, parent, grandparents, etc. it is just the most amazing, pure, and special feelings in my book.
I am so grateful that Becca found such a sweet love with Justin, and I am also so grateful for the love Matthew and I have. <3

April 16, 2010

So I know I have been kind of MIA the past few months... (Like 8 months, but who's counting!) But anyways! I just wanted to take some time and write another blog post. Tomorrow is a big day for Matthew and I. He may be on a mission in Argentina, but I am still counting this year as one of ours together. 6 YEARS to be exact! 6 years ago on April 16th, Matthew and I met in our Sunday school class and things never were the same. I had the biggest crush on him and later found out that he had a big crush on me too. Matthew is literally the best person I know. I could easily write a novel full of words that describe the amazing guy he is. From day 1 he has always had the biggest heart, the funniest personality, and the kindest soul. It's hard for me to even write this post because I feel like it's just not adequate enough to explain what Matthew is to me. All-in-all, I am just so grateful for him and I am grateful for "us". Matthew has helped me in so many ways become the woman I am today. I have always tried to be the best I can be because of him and now that he is serving a mission, he has become an even bigger example to me. We are currently doing a reading challenge together to read the Book of Mormon by July 2016 and it has helped me so much in my life. Every time I think about Matthew, I start feeling down and sad because he is so far away from me, but the comfort that the scriptures and that my faith have brought me is unreal. Also, praying for him and his companion each morning and night has also not only helped him, but also me.

I am just so happy that I found this cute guy 6 years ago. I love him with all of my heart! My life wouldn't be the same without him. He is my best friend, and I can't wait to see him again someday. 

Till we meet again, Elder Farabee. <3