As I was writing the title of this blogpost, my heart jumps at the thought that Jose and I have officially be ONE YEAR MARRIED on Sunday, 26th April, 2026! 

WOW!

I remember Jose and I were deep in final preparations that knowing that in just a few DAYS-- we'd be MARRIED! 

Around this time last year, I was most likely doing the last few fittings for my wedding dress., my family was in ENGLAND, and I got to marry by best friend!!

I LOVE BEING MARRIED TO JOSEPH BULLIVANT. 

So much has happened and its gone by so quickly! One of my favorite things about having a blog is (yes) getting to write, but looking back at the time in which I wrote them! It's like a time capsule set on pause so that in the future, I can reread over the things I've written knowing that I was in the middle of whatever what was happening in my life. (I hope that makes sense.) This blogpost is one of those things. When I come back to this in 10 years, knowing that I'm writing this during our first year wedding anniversary, I think about all of the realities that Jose and I are facing. We don't have kids (yet), working and living in England, trying to get my British driver's license, and we're living in a two bedroom terrace house! I wonder what MJ in 10 years from now will remember! (MJ, if you're reading this in 10 years, HI 🤍✨)

I've learned so much this year and I'm so grateful that Jose and I are living this life together. Every bit of being married to Jose is worth the wait. If you haven't read my wedding speech, you can do so here. I genuinely loved getting to write and say it out loud for all of our friends and family.

I makes me think that even though so much has happened, I can't believe it's been already a year! It's instances like this, I make the claim that Time is a conspiracy-- it's not real, but I'm glad it exists. 

On social media, it can look like Jose and I are absolutely, helplessly, and completely in love with each other (which we are), but like everything on social media-- the hard conversations aren't shared. The moments when we're processing and having talks that might hurt in the moment, have been moments of deep connection and readjusting of where we want to go together. Whether its about money, past experiences, expectations, or tracking miscommunication. It's all moments that, looking back now, Jose and I chose each other. And one of the easiest things to do is trusting and leaning on Jose. 

I mentioned this in a previous post that one day while I was cleaning the studio apartment that we lived in, Jose went out for run. When he came back home and said, "MJ, even though things can be so uncertain," he said waving his hands up and down like a roller coaster, "I'm grateful you're certain and constant," and this time his hand was still, hovering just in front of him. I'm sure we'll have tough conversations come up in the future, but all I can think is: what an honour it is to be chosen by Jose and to choose him. 

Something that Jose says from time to time when we're holding each other (which is often on account because I'm (MEGA) clingy is, "You're a whole person." To which I reply, "You are a whole person, too." We are whole people. We have feelings, thoughts, hopes, and dreams. We lived a life before we met each other and it blows my mind that I get to have Jose! I get to hold his thoughts, hopes, and dreams-- forever. 

One my favorite things to do is to stare at Jose's face-- to fully take him in. I need to do this at least once a day or I forget how he looks like (I'm kidding-- I can have a sketch artist draw Jose's face by memory). It's during these moments that I get to behold my forever love. I've waited for Jose for a long time and if I could tell my 15-year-old-me about the man we were going to marry-- I'm absolutely positive, we'd cry. 

During our wedding rehearsals, we had to practice the ceremony, which meant knowing which hand to hold, who should go where, and practicing the vows. I, of course, started crying because even though it wasn't yet official-- Jose and I were less than a day away from being spouses!! If you've ever seen the Movie Tangled (2010), the ending is the best in that movie and the overall thread of what Rapunzel goes through is following her dream. AND of course the ENDING!

SPOILER ALERT:

Flynn rider dies... Just kidding, if you haven't seen it, don't worry-- this is a second chance to look way!

Flynn of course says the last few words that tie everything together, "You are my new dream." 

SPOILER ALER ENDS: 

Jose is my dream! In the days before Jose and I weren't yet dating, we would talk at church gatherings, hang outs, and parties-- it was the best conversations I'd have! I'd laugh and couldn't get over how cute and attractive he is! He's so genuinely funny and witty that it was absolute rizz and I would think about our conversations long after we'd say bye. 

Now, we're one year married and I still can't believe that I get to be married to him! He's more than a dream or anything that I could have ever imagined. I thank God for Jose and all that God created him to be. It is an honour to be his wife and I'm absolutely proud that he's my husband. There's still so much for Jose and I to learn and I'm grateful that I get to learn with him!

Thank you for reading! 

-MJ