Moments of Musing

Two years of living our vows

Filed Under: Marriage, wedding //

Two years ago, I woke up slightly nervous but so ready and excited to become your Mrs. After years of long distance (over 4,000 miles worth…), we overcame the odds and I truly believe we are stronger because of it. 
Despite all of the (amazing) changes, adventures, and experiences that have followed, it is still one of the best days of my life. Thank you for being my husband, thank you for making me your wife, and thank you for bringing Sebastian into this world with me. 
I couldn’t have picked a better –or funnier– team mate and life partner to grow old with. Cheers to two years of living, living our vows and creating a beautiful life together. Happy Anniversary..I love you so much!

A second line

Filed Under: Baby L, Marriage, pregnancy //

One year ago, a second line appeared … It was one of the most exciting life moments to date. I felt like I could burst at the seams and telling Tim in special surprise way went right out the window because I couldn’t contain my excitement! My lifelong dream of becoming a mommy was becoming a reality. 

It was one of the best days because it led to our baby boy. I’ve never loved someone so wholeheartedly and fiercely. He’s made our life so much better, so much more whole. 
I am so, so grateful.
When I first looked at these maternity photos all I saw was how much weight I’d gained … Now, I see only beautiful images, some of which are my most favorite photos. 
This was one of the absolute best stages in our life thus far and I’d be remiss not to thank my husband. Through the ups, downs and all-arounds, he’s been by my side. First-time parenting sure isn’t easy but loving you and being a parent with you to our baby boy is. 
Thank you for helping to bring our baby into this world. It’s truly a better place because he’s here.

Valentine’s Day Weekend 2016

Filed Under: Marriage, pregnancy //

This Valentine’s Day was our last as a family of two… and we couldn’t be happier about that. But we also know it is important to treasure each other before Baby L is added to the mix. So we did “us” things.

We went to an Open House.

We did some registry things at Babies R Us. 

We went out to dinner Saturday and ordered in Sunday before going to see Deadpool late Sunday night. 

We snuggled and enjoyed each other. 
I love that Valentine’s Day is about love because I love love. (See what I mean? I just used the word love four times in one sentence.) And I think it’s important to let our loved ones know–and show them–just how cherished they are. 

Love Week: Changing to Married Name

Filed Under: Marriage, wedding //

I always knew it would be tedious to change my legal name to my married name. What I didn’t know it how I attached I’d been to my maiden name. Thankfully, I didn’t have a middle name so I was able to make my maiden name my middle name. After I made that decision, I got to doing the procedures needed for a legal name change. The process was not only longer than expected but there were also some challenges–one of which was pretty costly. The steps I went through were as follows:

bride, bridal portrait, anniversary photos, changing to married name, last name change, married name change

1. Request another marriage certificate from the county we were married in. Wait for it to be mailed back from New Jersey to Chicago where we lived at the time. 

2. Submit a name change application to Social Security, along with our marriage certificate and my passport. I received a letter confirming receipt of the application and then a few weeks later, all my documents, including my new social security card. 
3. Submit my application for a new passport to reflect my new name, along with two color passport photos, my old passport, my new social security card, and my marriage certificate (for good measure). 

4. When we moved back to New York, I then applied for a new driver license. For this in-person application, I brought my current (at that time) NYS driver license, new social security card, and marriage license. 
***5. Applied for a name change with my student loan servicing company. Because I was completely unaware that I had to do this, this step was the costly one. Sure, the others may have had small fees but this one cost me thousands. This is why: I didn’t learn that I had to change my name until I attempted to reapply for my loan repayment program late last November. The name change took about a month to process. By the time I made sure my name was changed and reapplied for my loan repayment program, my enrollment had lapsed and I was charged the normal loan payment fee for January. To say I was upset, irate and disappointed is an understatement. I have never missed a payment and I had gone about doing the things I had to but it felt like I was being penalized. Thankfully, the situation was resolved and my repayment application was approved once again!
I’m hoping this post will help any of you who are getting married and/or changing your name in the future.