Dear Huey,

Seven years ago, I never realized what an incredible journey we were embarking upon together. I never would have believed that the sixteen year old boy with shaggy hair and a goofy smile would grow into the strong, hardworking, and loving man that will be waiting for me at the altar.

I never dreamed that I would find someone who challenged me to see the world in the way that you do; a man who makes me laugh and love with abandon, a man who even after years together still gives me butterflies when he walks through the door. I didn’t believe that I could find a man who would remind me every single day to dream bigger, to work harder, to open my heart to the possibilities of this beautiful life.

I never realized that I could love anyone as much as I love you.

I love your quirky humor, your obsession with space, trains, and science. Â I adore your crystal blue eyes, the warmth of your hands, the way you sing in the kitchen. I love those mornings when you bring me coffee in bed, the way you treat our dogs as if they are children, the way you listen to my crazy ideas and catch me when I fall… Often literally.

I love you not only for who you are, but for who you inspire me to be.Â

I love that over the past seven years, I have never faced life’s challenges without your unconditional love. Even on the days when I have struggled, when the future seemed uncertain, not once did I have to walk alone.

Seven years of joyous success and heartbreaking loss, of moving from Maryland to Philadelphia and back again, of graduating from high school and then from college. Seven years of growing up, but never growing apart. Of conquering all that life put in our way, day by day, we grew together.

Huey, you are the reason that I fight so incredibly hard to be the best person that I can be. You give me a reason to make every single day even better than the last. You have shown me what it means to live and love, to give of my heart fully, to wake up every morning with the hope of helping others.

You are my soulmate. My other half. The piece of my heart that I never knew was missing.

You have breathed life and inspiration into this little piece of  the universe, my world, and have helped me to grow into the woman that I am today.

Tomorrow is the day we will reminisce about as our hair turns grey and the wrinkles crowd the spaces on our cheeks. With grace and wisdom, I know I will look back on this day as the beginning of a journey – challenging at times, but an incredible journey nonetheless. And even as my memories fade, as the moments of my younger life seem farther behind me, I promise to never forget this day, our wedding day.

I promise to inspire you the way you have always inspired me, to lift you up when you falter, to bring you coffee in bed and kiss your cheeks when they are stained with the tears of hardship and the tears of happiness.

I promise to be the best friend, the secret keeper, the laugher-till-you-cryer that you have come to love over these past seven years. You are my everything and I can’t wait to call you my husband.

With Love, Hugs, Kisses… And the promise of a lifetime together.

Your Future Wife,The *Almost* Mrs. Natalie Hayes

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In the past few years we have moved across the country (from Annapolis to San Francisco and back), changed careers, and gone on some wild adventures. I’m so grateful to be married to my best friend. Be sure to follow on Instagram + introduce yourself.