The best thing that's ever been mine.

There is a day that is more dear to me than any other in my memory. 

There are no words to describe it, none that could ever adequately capture it from this now dreamlike place in my mind and bring it back to physical reality. It went by so fast and yet...when I close my eyes sometimes and focus on the dream, every detail comes back to me with startling clarity. I suppose it's because that was the day that defined the rest of my entire life, and lives of everyone that will now come after me.

It was the day that I was blessed to keep the very greatest gift I have ever received...the day I was sealed for eternity to my very best friend.

I never could have imagined this day, or the wonderful blessing it was. I never could have imagined how  in love I'd be, or what the incredible man would be like that walked out of those doors with me into the cold January morning. It was the same world I'd always known, but on that day...it seemed absolutely new.

I never imagined that he'd have eyes like the cerulean crayon I loved so much as a little girl, or hair so blonde that he already looked like one of my own family.

I never imagined the feeling of unconditional love and support that I'd feel every time I was near him.

Nor could I have imagined the butterflies he'd give me, or the feeling of unfailing confidence and security I hadn't previously known existed.

I couldn't have imagined how much he'd teach me about cherishing my own family, the ones I was sealed to first and forever.

I couldn't have dreamed how much I'd love watching him treat his own family with sincere affection and loyalty. I had no idea how excited this would make me to begin our own, and see how many more lives would be touched by his genuinely loving nature.

I had no way of knowing just how much more fun life would be with him around...or how much life he would bring into my own.

I hadn't ever felt the words that could be spoken by the touch of a hand...

...or the thoughts that could be conveyed by the sweetness of a kiss.

I was unaware of how happiness in its complete form felt until that day. I didn't know I could smile so big.

I could have never guessed how unbelievably, incredibly, amazing this man would be.

And that he'd be the best thing that's ever been mine.

International alliances, and all of that.

I have a husband, who was once a fiance.

He hails from the land northward, otherwise known as Canada, otherwise known as the 51st state, aka America's hat.

(Or if you ask said husband, he says that America is Canada's you-know-what in the bathroom. So we won't ask him this time.)

(In his defense, that comment only passes his lips when he's provoked by comments such as mine. He is Canadian after all. I always say that Canadians make the best husbands. They're just far too nice! I also probably needed to marry someone that could chill out my fiery self...and who knows the cold like Canadians? No one. That's who.)

Whilst he was a fiance, we decided to take a trip up there together to celebrate our engagement with everyone that is so important to him. I was nervous and excited and anxious all at once to see the things and go the places that had been such a huge part of making him into the man I love. I really was quite the jumble of emotions.

And I was honestly surprised at how much I LOVED Canada. Oh, I knew I'd enjoy myself, and I really looked forward to spending some more time with Shay's parents and getting to know them better. But even just the land and the scenery and the places he took me! They were all so, so, so much fun.

Plus, the fact that Canadians really do say "eh" every few words...well, the trip never lacked for entertainment. :)

One of the first things we did was take a trip to Niagra Falls. I had NO idea how big they really were. And loud, and beautiful, and cold! The cold in Canada is like nothing I have ever felt. I thought Utah got chilly, but Utah is the fridge to Canada's freezer. That wind blasts into you and through you just keeps blasting along like nobody's business. All around the falls, huge mounds of ice build up from the mist that shoots off of them. The falls are lit up with Canadian and American flag colors, and there are shops, restaurants, and even haunted houses all along the strip nearby.

Shay's parents were our amazing tour guides, hosts, and are the best parents-in-law ever! They bundled up with us on more than one occasion to make sure our trip was the best possible memory. I honestly hadn't felt quite so looked after in a long time. :) They were amazing!

And of course, we had to get a picture too...

Shay took me to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) as well. This building is HUGE and has so many awesome exhibits! There was something there for everyone, which meant there was plenty there to keep me happy for quite some time. :) While I loved everything we saw from animals to architecture to ancient artifacts and more, I had one specific quest:

I saw them! Or, the parts that are left and traveling the world anyway. Unfortunately the scientists that first handled the scrolls weren't completely savvy to how even light and touch would damage them, and a few of them were harmed during the process of cleaning and translating. So understandably, they don't let the most important ones (you know, like copies of Isaiah and stuff?) do any traveling and send a few of the 800 other ones instead. Still amazing though!

We went out for dinner at some really fun places while there, but my favorite place was definitely the Rich Tree restaurant in Toronto. This was part of our New Year's Eve activity and did not disappoint! It's basically a big marketplace where food is cooked as you order. Each station presents an impressive display of yummy food: european, grill, seafood, pasta, sushi, etc etc etc. In the end our group ate everything from steak to shark.

This little lovely is from the elevator that rides up the side of the CN Tower, or Canadian National Tower. It was built for communication purposes and was the tallest building in the world for 31 years! 1,815 feet tall, and the elevator took less than a minute to get us to the top. Did I mention that the elevator we rode also had a glass floor? Oh yeah. And Allison is terrified of heights.

It was worth it though, because this is what we saw from the top:

Truly incredible.

This trip was nothing short of amazing, and we did about a hundred more things. But the best thing of all was getting to know my Canadian better, and loving the time we got to learn more about each other. I cannot wait to go back!