Category: Lifestyle

Our First Year of Marriage- Life As Newlyweds

On October 12th Bradley and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary! It is hard to believe it has been a year since the best day. Our wedding day was filled with family, friends, love, and laughter. I would give so much to go back and relive that day- honestly that whole season! The past year of marriage has been a memorable one. From quitting my staff job, Bradley going remote to work at home, adopting a puppy, converting to the tiny living life, and moving (temporarily) to DC. Not to mention a global pandemic complete with quarantine and me working as a nurse on the front line. Needless to say, the first year of our marriage has been anything but boring!

Today I’m sharing a brief look at the past year of our marriage in pictures. It has held some of the best and worst times of our lives- but I am so thankful I have had my best friend by my side through it all.

We started out our marriage in the best way possible- the most amazing tropical honeymoon cruise.

Followed by five days in the Sunshine State

Southpaw’s first corn maze

Halloween 2019 #ghostbusters

Thanksgiving 2019

We said “see you later” to Southpaw after a four month battle with cancer. One of the hardest parts of our first year of marriage, but we grew closer as we supported each other in our grief. We love you, little buddy.

Cabin trip to our favorite cabins (where we got engaged) for Bradley’s Birthday.

I went to visit my best friend and and came home with a puppy..

The pandemic began and we quarantined. Some of us were happier than others.

I quit my staff nurse job and Bradley went remote for his job.

We bought our camper- Culbertson’s Go Tiny!

We moved to DC to start my my first travel nurse assignment..

Celebrated my 30th birthday in DC

Declan’s First Camping Trip

Celebrated One Year of Marriage <3

Happy Anniversary to my amazing husband! Thank you for an amazing year of love, laughter, adventure, growth, and support. I can’t wait to see what the future holds, I love you. <3

Kylie Marie Photography

Kylie Marie Photography

 

Check out our amazing wedding photographer: Kylie Marie Photography 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hometown Newspaper Article + Weekend Happenings

Hello, friends! I hope you all are doing well. I woke up Friday morning to something really cool! I was featured in a newspaper article in my hometown newspaper. The article was written by John Hamilton, an amazing journalist, writer, and overall creative person! We actually went to high school together which made this all the more awesome. The article was about my journey as a travel nurse and it was really special and humbling to be recognized by the place I called home for 19 years. Saturday, a friend from high school sent a picture of me on the front page of the print paper! So I have a few copies coming for keepsakes. I’m so thankful to John for reaching out! Check out the article by clicking here.

Weekend Happenings

After a really tough couple of shifts my husband had a few surprises this weekend to help lift my spirts. Friday night he cooked a seafood boil outside complete with crab legs, shrimp, corn, and potatoes! It was delicious and it was so nice to sit outside in the 75 degree air and enjoy dinner with him. We ended the night sitting by the fire.

Saturday we got up and went to Chesapeake Beach, Maryland! It was absolutely beautiful! I have never been to a beach farther north than the SC beaches and it did not disappoint. It was 75 and sunny so not weather to sunbathe in but it was a perfect day. We enjoyed seafood by the water and the took a walk along the dock and the board walk. Being near the water or the mountains always has a way of helping to heal my soul.

 

 

Have a great week friends and make sure to practice some self care! <3

 

 

 

How Are You Doing? Mental, Emotional, Physical Health Check-In

One of my favorite healthy living/lifestyle bloggers Brittany from A Healthy Slice of Life shared a post Monday with a health check in. Reading her post and the comments got me to thinking how important it is to take time to step back and do an overall evaluation of our full bodied health. The past few months have been downright hard for all of us in one way or another. Like I have shared here before, in the past few months I quit my nursing job of 3 years, moved to D.C. during a pandemic, bought and moved into a camper with my husband and fur babies, and started a job with 2 days orientation. We are beginning the civil rights movement of our time with the #blacklivesmatter movement and the fight against systemic racism. Covid-19 is still spreading and effecting us across the U.S. I have worked and seen Covid first hand and know the pain and destruction it can cause. It has also kept me apart from loved ones and away from the things and places I love. I think it’s safe to say 2020 isn’t easy for anyone.

To be honest, I have been struggling with my mental health since the end of 2019. I’m not quite ready to share everything, but nurse burn out and the cancer battle and loss of my beloved dog Southpaw have really put me in a funk. I am finding happiness in my job and life again through travel nursing and a new adventure with my husband but I still am having hard days. I’m trying to learn to be an ally to my black friends and family and how to fight the societal racism I was born in to. I am try to be a good nurse and encourage people to do the right thing- wear a mask, social distance, practice hand hygiene- while being told I am just falling for the conspiracy. I missing my friends and family and things like summer concerts and trips to the beach while realizing there are much bigger issues going on in the world. Life is just hard. But we can’t learn and grow and be who we are meant to be without taking care of ourselves. And taking care of ourselves starts with checking in and learning to understand what we are feeling, why we are feeling it, and how to take care of ourselves through both the good and bad times of life.

Emotional

My emotional health has been doing better the past two months, but I still have had some hard days. Days when I miss my family and friends, doubt my decision to start travel nursing, and just feel an overwhelming heaviness over the state of the world. The racism and hate I see in the world is heartbreaking and infuriating. The pandemic is heartbreaking. The lack of belief of the science behind the pandemic is so frustrating.

Mental

I did not realize the mental and emotional strain my nursing job was taking on me. I loved the people I worked with and the patients I cared for, but I was stressed for days before and after my shift, I felt sick having to go to work, I wasn’t sleeping well or sleeping to much, the list goes on. My new job can be mentally draining because I’m always having to learn a new unit and new people, but I just feel so much happier and more mental clarity being in a job that doesn’t cause so much stress.

Physical

Oh dear. My physical health sure has taken a down slide during the craziness that has been the transition into travel nursing. I have ate waaaay to much comfort food and not enough veggies. I have not moved my body other than walks around town (probably to get food) and work. I had an ovarian cyst (not to TMI) right before I left for my DC and it was awful. I was on the couch for a solid week with some of the most excruciating pain I have experienced. Like, almost passing out from pain. I had been doing well with running 3-4 times a week but this brought that to a complete stop. Then, when I was feeling better, it was time to pack up our house to move in less than a week. Then cue multiple 48 hour trips home, going 30 plus hours without sleep at times (thanks, night shift), learning a new job, finding a place to live, the list goes on. Needless to say, any type of physical activity went to the wayside. The thing is, I feel SO MUCH better when I move. Even if it’s just walks with Declan (my dog.) So I have been making a more conscious effort this past week to start running or walking every day. I’m already feeling better and like I have more energy. Home workouts, yoga, and walks are all easy and socially distant ways to exercise but also not add stress to your body.

Self Care

I probably sound like a broken record but self care is just SO SO SO important. It will look different for everyone and will also look different depending on what your body and emotions need at this time. I wrote a post on self care while social distancing if you want some ideas on things to do during quarantine. For me lately, it’s sleeping when I’m tired, runs and walks with Declan, and nights by the campfire with my husband.

Gratitude

If you made it this far, thanks friend. This blog post turned out to be a lot longer than anticipated, but it feels to get these word down on “paper.” I want to emphasize I would say overall I am a happy person right now. I have so so much to be grateful for. I have a great marriage, great family and friends, and two fur babies I love. I am on an amazing and long awaited adventure as a traveling nurse living tiny. I love my job and work with nice people. Please don’t see this post as doom and gloom, but just know I can empathize with the hard days we are having this year. If you’re struggling, please reach out to me, a family member or friend, or mental health professional for help.

I hope you’ll take some time to check in with your full bodied health and try to find what you can do to help support yourself. Have a relaxing and safe weekend. <3

How are you feeling, friends? What self care do you have planned for this coming week?

 

Culbertson’s Go Tiny

The Dream To Travel

Traveling has been a dream for Bradley and I pretty much since we started dating over 7 years ago. We loved the idea of being able to see the country and have enough time to emerge ourselves in different cultures. We also knew if we did this, we wanted a home we could bring with us. A lot of travel nurses rent rooms, homes through Air BNB or Furnished Finders, or long term stays in hotels. These are great options but with a husband and 2 fur babies, we knew finding a place for all four of us could be tricky. We also like the idea of not having to pack up all our stuff and move every 3 months. So, we decided a home on wheels was right for us. If you haven’t read about our current adventure and big leap we took, check out my post about my My First 2 weeks as a Travel RN.

Tiny Home vs RV

We still really want to buy a tiny home and that is planned for the future. However, they are a lot bigger and a lot harder to move. An RV is built a little more to be easily mobile. We also paid about 1/3 of what we would have paid for a tiny home. Since we left for our travel adventure about a year earlier than we planned, we didn’t want to spend a ton on the place we would live right away. And you aren’t just making your tiny home/camper payment, you also have to pay for a space at the campground so you can park it. We do plan to make quite a few modifications to our camper over the next several months to give it more of a tiny home feel and will be sharing that transformation with you on the blog!

First Two Weeks

The first two weeks of living tiny have required a few slight adjustments but overall I am happy to say we are settling in to our new home quite nicely! We are still working to find a place for everything and get everything unpacked, but it is starting to feel like home. Living in the campground and being able to enjoy nights by the fire and cooking out (our camper even has an outdoor kitchen) has been so fun! Annabelle surprisingly adjusted very quickly and loves having all the windows. Declan is happy as long as he is with his people, and he too is loving having the windows to see all the happenings of the campground.

Declan loves having a nature trail in his back yard.

 

The Queen enjoying her daily sun bathing.

A few of the biggest changes from our home in Greenville have been:

  • TINY bathroom. We had a small bathroom at home, but we now have essentially a closet with a small walk in shower. I definitely miss my bathtub and the size of our water heater at home but it hasn’t been to bad!
  • Queen size bed. We had a king size bed before and Declan already took up half of that (he likes to sleep stretched out with his long legs.) So, you can imagine how that adjustment has been, ha!
  • The kitchen is considerably smaller, but surprisingly that has not been an issue so far! We have cooked several meals in our kitchen and grocery shopped for the week, and have managed to fit everything! Having a mini fridge and cabinet space in the outdoor kitchen definitely helps with storage.
  • The couch. Is. Also. Tiny. I love having a big comfy couch and a camper couch definitely isn’t comfy, big, or atheistically pleasing. It definitely is one of the first things we plan to change on our list! For now, we laid it flat and put pillows on the back which has made it a lot more comfortable.

Our first dinner we cooked in the kitchen inside the camper.

Overall tho, I am so happy to say we are adjusting really well and loving our new home! Thank you for all the love and support on this new adventure! We are so excited for this new chapter in our lives and look forward to sharing it on the blog. Look for an RV tour coming soon and some talk about our plans to make it more homey! 🙂

 

Happy Juneteenth- 2020

I don’t think I had heard of Juneteenth until this year. I may have heard about it in passing, but I didn’t really know what it was. I decided it was past time for me to change that so I spent some time today reading & listening to learn more about this holiday and what it means. I encourage each of you to do your own research but I am writing a short blog post to give you a base knowledge and a place to start.

Emancipation Proclamation

On September 22, 1862, Lincoln announced the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. This called on the Confederate states to rejoin the Union within 100 days- by January 1, 1863, or their slaves would be declared “thenceforward, and forever free.” On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation into law. This was a time long before quick communication. Union soldiers went to confederate states and slave holders homes to read mini versions of the proclamation. However, the proclamation actually did little to actually free enslaved people. The border confederate states were not effected by the proclamation, and many slave holders in the confederacy did not abide by it either. However, it was a very symbolic moment that would lead to 13th amendment to the Constitution which abolished slavery in 1865.

June 19, 1865

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.” – General Orders, Number 3; Headquarters District of Texas, Galveston. June 19, 1865

On June 19, 1865, over 2 years after the issue of the Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger issued the above order. 2,000 Union troops arrive in Galveston Bay, Texas to announce that more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were freed by the executive decree. This day would later become known as “Juneteenth” by the freed people of Texas.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth marks the country’s second, and honestly more true Independence Day. In 1979, Texas became to the first state to make it an official holiday. Since then, 41 other states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday or holiday observance. Petitions are in place to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. It seems like it should be a day that is celebrated as much, if not more, than Independence Day. I hope someday that will happen.

Ways to Celebrate

I have spent time today on Instagram reading about Juneteenth from black people’s perspectives and listening to ways they suggest we celebrate this day.

Some ways to celebrate included:

  • Share your favorite Black influencers and businesses with friends and on social media.
  • Share Black social media pages that you enjoy and bring your happiness- not just pages that include education.
  • Educate yourself, your family and friends, and your children on Juneteenth.
  • Support Black businesses!
  • Donate to various organizations that support Black civil rights.

I encourage everyone to take some time to educate yourselves about this holiday, and find a way to celebrate. Happy Juneteenth, Friends. Let’s keep this as a reminder of the end of a dark past, and the light of a more hopeful and equal future. Love to all of you. <3

 

Resources

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/emancipation-proclamation

https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/historical-legacy-juneteenth

 

 

 

 

 

4 year blog anniversary!

It’s hard to believe I have had this space on my little corner of the internet for 4 years! As we know, I haven’t always been the best at sticking with the regular blog post but never the less I love this space and all of you who are kind enough to visit it! I hope this space has been, and will continue to be, a source of support, knowledge, empowerment, or even just a light hearted read/laugh for my fellow nurses & other health care staff out there, as well as those non healthcare people who are willing to follow along!

I’m sharing 5 of my favorite blog post from the past year (it was hard to choose!) to celebrate this 4 year blogiversary!

  1. Burn Out & Journey to Recovery

This post I took leap of faith and talked about my current burn out at work and working to find my passion for nursing again. I still always had a love for my job and absolutely a love for my patients & fellow nurses, but hard days had lead to me feeling down and not excited to go to work. I am still on the journey but I am excited to announce a change soon that I am hoping will help me to continue to recover on my burn out journey!

2. When you don’t get the “dream job”

This is one of my favorite post because I think it’s something so important for us to discuss, especially in the nursing world. When you graduate nursing school, there are SO many options for where you can work. A lot of people also have an area they really fell in love with, and may have their heart set on working there. After my L&D practicum, I thought for sure that is where I would start my nursing journey. However, despite going above and beyond to make it happen, it just wasn’t meant to be for me at that time. I took a job on a cardiac unit and feel in love with both the nursing & the amazing nursing staff I worked with. I have learned so much in my three years on telemetry and I am so happy it is where I ended up. I wanted to share with other new nurses that you CAN find happiness in jobs other than your “dream job.”

3. Our Engagement Story

Photo Credit: The Talented Stephanie Culbertson

You know I had to include our Engagement Story when I saw I wrote this post in the past year. 🙂 Not nursing related, but by far one of my favorite post and memories of all time.

4. NCLEX 101: How to pass your NCLEX and earn your credentials

Nursing students and new graduate nurses will always be some of my favorite people & have such a special place in my heart. I really enjoyed looking back at my NCLEX study days to write this post and hope it helps out at least one nursing student as they prepare for the big test!

5. A look back at 2019

Photo Credit: Kylie Marie Photography

I had to include this post because it includes some of my favorite events from the past year including our wedding where our sweet Southpaw was the best dog of honor. It also was one of the saddest days, the day he crossed the rainbow bridge. A year full or ups and downs but still one of the best years yet.

Bonus: New in the life: Meet Declan!

I had to add a bonus post because it was the introduction of our newest family member, Declan! We love him and are so happy to have this energetic boy as a part of our family.

Thank you for being a part of this space and my journey!

I really want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my blog, like or share a social media post, and leave a comment. I can’t tell you how much all of those things mean to me! Some exciting changes are coming to the blog and my nursing journey so I hope you’ll stick around for another year of both nursey and non-nursing adventures!

New in the life: March 2020- Meet Declan!

Hey friends! It’s been a while! I’m not sure how time got away from me but it’s been a whole month since I published a new blog post. I’m sharing a quick life update before we get back to the regularly scheduled nursey post!

Week with the bestie

A selfie with two dogs at the dog beach is much easier said than done!

I spent an entire week with my friend, Raven. We drank margaritas and mimosas, had beach days, napped (we’re both night shifters, can you tell? lol), watched movies on the couch, went to the dog beach, made Target runs- just did all the fun things that you wish you could do when you live 500 miles apart. Thank you Raven for such a fun filled week and letting me stay twice as long as I was suppose too!

Time with my parents

Lunch outside at Squid Lips- Cocoa Beach

I unfortunately didn’t get quite as much time with my parents as I hoped but I did get to spend a few nights with them! We had beach time, checked out a new brewery, ate dinner on the water, made a Ron Jon & Toppers run- all of my favorite Florida activities! I’m already counting down the minutes until I can return for more fun in the sun.

Work Work Work

After 13 wonderful days off, it was time for me to head back to the #nurselife. And apparently I was feeling super nursey before vacation, because I signed myself up for FOUR shifts in a row upon my return. And the shifts were busy. I had sick patients, worried family members, we were short staffed some days. It’s times like these I am thankful for the awesome nurses, PCTs, and NPs I work with who help me make it through the hard days!

COVID-19 Uncertainty 

It seems like every day the world become more uncertain and concerned with the COVID-19 or corona virus. I would be lying if I didn’t say I am having some worries and anxiety myself. Our healthcare system is already short on resources, beds, and staff. Businesses are closing, and I worry how people will feed their families and pay their rent. Hospitals are restricting visitors, and I worry for patients who will be sick and alone. A quote I always find helpful in times like these, is one form Mr. Rogers.

I always find this quote so helpful during uncertain times. Focusing on the good can really help decrease your stress and anxiety and shine a positive light on bad situations. As a community, those of us who can need to be the helpers. Take a few extra minutes to sit with a scared and lonely patient. Give some words of encouragement to a nurse, doctor, RT, phlebotomist, housekeeper, any healthcare worker. Give a simple “thank you” to the retail workers who are dealing with the panic. Make sure people who are out of work, or kids are out of school, have food to eat. Small acts can make a big impact.

Meet the Newest Addition to our Family!

Declan Camp Culbertson

I brought Bradley home a much bigger souvenir from Florida than anticipated, ha! Bradley and I had been discussing adopting a puppy and he even had been looking at the Humane Society website. It hurt my heart every time we talked about it because I just couldn’t imagine another dog after the passing of my sweet Southpaw.

Then, I went to Raven’s in Florida, and met Declan. He was a surrender at her Emergency Vet clinic. His owner had broke his leg when throwing him outside and he also had contracted Parvo. 🙁 Raven kindly took over care to save Declan’s life. When a possible adoption fell through, she decided Declan would just stay with her. However, when I met Declan, I could just feel he was meant to be a part of our family. He needed us and we needed him. Raven encouraged me to take him (okay, she really sold the idea lol). Before I knew it, I was renting a car and my awesome Dad was making the 500 mile road trip back to SC with me and my new puppy! We are so thankful to Raven for caring for him and giving us this gift. We love him already and he fits in perfectly with our family!

Road Trip with Dad & Declan

 

This weekend, Bradley and I took Declan on a few different nature trail walks and just got use to being a family of four! I am heading back to the hospital tonight where we are now under visitor restrictions, so I am praying everyone practices grace and understanding. Share below something good that has happened to you in the past month, I would love to hear!

A look back at 2019

Photo credit: Stephanie Culbertson

Hello there, friends! It’s been a while! I can’t believe 2019 is coming to an end! 2019 was a weird year, it was one of the best and worst years of my life. There were amazing times- all the wedding celebrations, marrying the love of my life, and graduating with my BSN. However, the ending has been full of sadness and hard times, so I am ready to see a new year and fresh start.

Here we go, a quick look back at 2019!

Marrying my best friend

The biggest (and happiest) thing to happen this year was definitely our wedding! Marrying Bradley and celebrating with family and friends filled my heart with so much joy. Our fur baby, Southpaw, was the ring bearer and dog of honor. He stole the show and looked so dapper in his tux. The day was just perfect. So many happy memories (I may have to do a more detailed blog post on the wedding celebrations 🙂

Photo Credit: Kylie Marie Photography*

Photo Credit: Kylie Marie Photography*

Photo Credit: Kylie Marie Photography*

Kylie Marie Photography

Honeymoon

Our honeymoon was BY FAR one of the BEST vacations we have ever been on! Seriously. I don’t know it was the newlywed bliss, or that we just can plan a great vacation ;), but Bradley and I have never had such a fun and relaxing trip! We took a cruise to Grand Turk and Amber Cover- which was simply AMAZING! We snorkeled, sailed the Caribbean on a catamaran, went to a private beach and resort, enjoyed amazing food and drinks, days on the beach and nights on the deck in the hot tub. We then returned to Florida and stay at a condo on the beach for 3 nights. Seriously, the best honeymoon with the best husband.

Boarding the ship and ready to sail away with my husband!

Grand Turk- The most gorgeous beach and water we have experienced

BSN Graduation

Megan Weaver (errr… Culbertson), BSN, RN looks and sounds SO GOOD! I started this journey TEN years ago when I graduated high school. I graduated MUSC’s RN to BSN in August with a 4.0 (Magna cum laude!)

Good Music

Bradley and I love to go to concerts together- it’s one of our favorite weekend getaways and date nights. This year we saw Mumford & Sons (and got to spend the weekend at the beach!), Vampire Weekend, and Sublime with Rome. It was a great year for concerts, can’t wait to see what concerts we see in 2020!

Sublime With Rome in Charlotte, NC

Our first kayaks

Bradley and I purchased our first kayaks this summer and it was a worth while investment so far! We are still new to the kayak life but we enjoyed taking them out on the lake this summer and look forward to many more water filled adventures as a couple and with friends.

4th of July kayaking with friends

Day on Lake Jocassee

Time with Friends & Family

I was able to see my friends and family SO much this past year and it literally meant the world to me. I had people travel 500 plus miles for dress fittings, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, and the wedding. It just meant so much to me to have them here and spending so much time with them was such a joy. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful and beautiful people in my life.

Dress shopping with my girls

Bachelor/Bachelorette party tubing trip- so much fun!

First tiny home experience

In January I surprised Bradley with a trip to our first true tiny home for his birthday! We stayed in a Tumbleweed tiny home in a local tiny home community. Bradley and I have dreams of someday going tiny to travel so this was such a fun experience!

Ran a 5k

I haven’t ran an (official) 5k in a looonnnggg time. Probably since early college. Bradley and I have been saying we were going to run one for a long time but never did. In May, we finally stepped up and took the plunge. We had a lot of fun and I hope to run some more in the coming year together.

Swamp Rabbit 5k

Southpaw

I hate to end the post on a bitter note, but it just doesn’t feel right not to mention one of the biggest and most heartbreaking parts of the year. Our sweet fur baby, Southpaw, was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor (cancer) in August. After a four month battle with an aggressive cancer that included four different chemotherapies, radiation, hospitalization, aggressive medication regimens, and surgery- he passed peacefully in Bradley and my arms with the assistance of our amazing oncology vet.

Our hearts are broken and the pain can feel unbearable at times. I hope to write a post with more details of his journey and as a memorial to the sweetest, most loved pup. The past four months were so sad and stressful (for us, Southpaw was a trooper and kept his happy spirit until the end) with all the treatments and vet visits, but also full of happy times. Southpaw enjoyed walks, car rides, treats, and lot of time with the people he loved. Bradley and I loved Southpaw more than words can say. He left his little paw prints on not only our but so many peoples’ hearts. We love you Southpaw, I know you are running free of pain and disease, and eating all the burgers, ice cream, and puppocinos.

Waggin’ at the Waterpark

Post-Op Starbucks Date

Photo credit: Stephanie Culbertson

Annabelle & Southpaw napping- touching paws <3

That wraps up the highs and lows of 2019. I am spending today reflecting on the love and loss of 2019, and looking forward to growth and clarity in 2020. What was the highlight of 2019 for you? I would love to hear!

And friendly reminder, as you peruse IG stories and FB post, remember people typically like to relive the highlight reel of the year. If your year feels gloomy in comparison to others, know that we all have hard times. Some years it’s just more than others. Sending everyone hurting this New Years Eve lots of love.

Have a safe and happy new year, cheers to a new decade!

*If you are local and looking for an amazing photographer- check out Kylie Marie Photography ! We absolutely loved her. She was professional, had a fun personality, and delivered AMAZING photos we will cherish forever.

Our Engagement Story

We are about to hit the double digit mark in the wedding countdown, today is 100 days until wedding day!

Photo Credit: Stephanie Culbertson

I am so excited to marry my best friend and start the next chapter and adventure in our lives! I’m taking a break from the nurse talk to share my engagement story today! If you have no interest in this, feel free to skip this post and check back next week for some more nurse related fun! Also, I apologize for how long it is. I can be a tad long winded. 🙂

For my birthday last year, Bradley gifted me a weekend in the mountains. Going to a cabin in the mountains in the fall is one of my favorite way to travel. If I’m being honest, I had a feeling that this weekend may be the weekend he proposed. We have been talking about marriage for years, and it was not a matter of if but a matter of when. We had gone to look at rings. We had discussed marriage and weddings. This seemed like the perfect time!

Arbor at Lake Lure Cabins- HIGHLY RECOMMEND! The owners are fantastic and we loved the cabin!

We went to Chimney Rock, NC- the cutest little mountain town that is next to a gorgeous state park. If you ever have the opportunity to go, I highly recommend it! The first night we arrived we went to dinner at a local Italian restaurant. Bradley pulled out a gift and the second he handed it to me, I realized it was an Apple Watch (this wasn’t the first time he gifted me one!) When I opened it, sure enough, it was the new Apple Watch. I loved it and had been wanting an upgrade, but my mind immediately thought, “if I am getting an expensive watch, there is no ring this trip.” A little disappointed, but still so excited to spend the weekend with my guy, I knew it would happen when it was meant too.

The next day we spent most the day relaxing in the hot tub at the cabin. That evening we decided to venture out for a wine tasting at the winery in town. Again, Bradley tells me he has a gift. As we sat sipping our wine overlooking the mountains I thought, “could this be it?!” He pulls out Mumford and Son tickets. Again- so much excitement! This is a band we both loved and have wanted to see forever! But also, DEFINITELY no engagement now! Cabin + concert tickets + Apple Watch = NO RING.

Burntshirt Vineyards Tasting Room

The next day Bradley was insistent we go hiking. It was 50 degrees, gray, and had been raining. We love to hike, but I would have been fine sipping wine in the hot tub all day. He was really excited, so I decided to go. We enjoyed a beautiful hike at Chimney Rock State Park full of so many gorgeous mountain views. We would go to a look out point, talk, and then keep hiking. At the end, he even set up his tripod to take a picture and I thought for sure this was it! Nope, we took the picture, packed up, and hiked down to the end of the trail. At this time he looked at me and said “you ready to go get a post hike beer!?”

 

Views from our hike- it was all so beautiful!

The Tripod Picture

At this point I was cold, tired, and hungry. He decided if we were there were should walk up to actual Chimney Rock. An absolutely beautiful place to go, but I was ready for some food. However, I decided he was right. It was only a few more steps. At the top I pulled out my phone and started taking pictures and putting on Social Media, I figured the proposal wasn’t happening and we had spent the past 4.5 miles relatively phone free and I wanted to share these views! I KNEW it would not happen. The top has a lot of people and we always said he would never propose with an audience! Bradley put his backpack down, kept patting his pocket, pacing back and forth, and I am totally oblivious to what is going on, because again- it’s not happening!

Me, totally oblivious to what is about to happen

The next thing I know, I hear a “Hey Megan!” and turn around to see the love of my life, my best friend, on one knee! And my reaction was not the cute, cup your face, teary eyed reaction you see in pictures. I throw my hands in the air and scream “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?” Not in a mean way, in a totally shocked way. It wouldn’t be Team Bragan (our self made nick name, judge if you want) without me being really awkward. Ha.

Chimney Rock where he proposed! We were standing at the top of the rock near the flag pole.

Bradley on one knee, look at that view!

He gave a short but beautiful speech, with a slightly shocked expression due to my reaction. Then the tears came. And the OMG is this REAL!? And then he put this beautiful ring on my finger!

All the heart eye emojis over this ring!

Thanks to my sister for suggesting I should paint my nails, “just in case” 🙂

We went to a brewery in town at the entrance of the park for a post hike brewski, then back to the cabin where Bradley made us a steak dinner, we had a champagne toast, and basked in the happiness of the fact we were ENGAGED!

Hickory Nut Gorge Brewery at Chimney Rock

I couldn’t have asked for a better proposal! It was so perfectly us. We love to hike and be out in nature and I couldn’t think of a more beautiful place to propose! 100 days until the next adventure begins! My heart is so full.

Photo Credit: The Talented Stephanie Culbertson

Life Update

Hello! Happy Wednesday! I decided to write a little life update with some pictures just for fun before we start diving in to all thing nursey next week! A few things have changed in the past 1.5 years that I have been away from the blogging world. I went from being a new grad RN to making my way into becoming one of the experienced nurses on the floor. The beginning of last year, I was asked to get my feet wet with by precepting a travel nurse. A few months later, I took a practicum student in her last semester of nursing school. Last fall, I completed Preceptor 101, a class required by my hospital to orient new graduate nurses. And finally, in December, I was gifted a new graduate nurse to orient! I spent 6 weeks total (other weeks were spent on days) orienting my nursling. It confirmed I love teaching and helping to grow and educate new grad nurses! My next new grad will be coming to join me on nights in just a few weeks! I also decided to continue my academic journey and I am finishing up my second semester of a full time RN-BSN program and will graduate in August.

On a more personal note, some highlights of the past year:

Bradley proposed and we are engaged! (as if full time nurse and full time student wasn’t enough to see me busy 😉 hehe)

Wedding date October 12, 2019

Taylor Swift Reputation Tour with my sister/bestie

Celebrating my grandparents 65th wedding anniversary and seeing my family

I said “Yes” to the dress

Bradley’s talented sister photographed some engagement pictures

And traveled to a few of my favorite places

My current plan for the blog is to publish a new post every Wednesday, 2-3 Instagram posts a week, and of course some IG stories, because who doesn’t like some IG stories?  😉 I’m telling you my plan for the blog to hold myself accountable and help keep the anxieties at bay. Thank you for stopping by and letting me share some fun from the past couple years with you! Check back next week when the nursey fun will begin!