Real People in Love: Alex & Tanner

Sorry I missed yesterday, it was the kind of day where life just sort of overwhelms you and all you want to do is lay in bed and cry a little (or a lot). Luckily, the day ended much happier than it began and I'm feeling much better about life & wedding planning than I was.

I'm thrilled to share this week's Real People in Love with you. Alex, the beautiful girl behind Alexandra Rae, emailed me a couple of months ago wanting to participate in the series. I couldn't be happier to feature Alex and her hubby, Tanner, reading about their sweet, young love is just the thing to warm your heart.

How old are you & Tanner?

I am 19, Tanner is 20.

How long have you been together?

We have been together for 3 years, married for almost 1!

What are your occupations?

Tanner is in the Air Force, and I am a hairdresser/artist.

How did you meet?

We met in high school.

How did you get engaged?

Tanner took me to a nice restaurant looking over the beach of our hometown. Dinner was perfect and we were having such a good time. Then he started "mushy talking" to me, which doesn't happen too often, especially in public! I knew something was up when his hands started shaking so bad his knife was clanking against his plate. He stood up, dropped his napkin a couple of times (haha) and got on one knee and proposed. He had picked out the most gorgeous ring and I couldn't have been happier.

Tell us about your wedding day:

Tanner and I got married at the court house July 31, 2009. With him being in the military we decided to get married on the fly and plan a big wedding at a later date (which will be July 31 this summer, and we are so excited!) Just having family there and being in an intimate setting was so awesome. It was such a special day, and even with our "big" wedding coming up, that day will forever be the most important day of my life.

Define Love:

Love to me is this overwhelming joy you get just being with a person, and being willing to do anything for them.

What is the toughest part of being in a committed relationship?

Compromise. I think we are both still working on that. It ranges from something big, like moving across the country, to little things like putting away the dishes. We have to dismiss our selfishness to make sure the other is happy and our relationship is strong.

What is the best part?

Sharing my life with him, and knowing no matter what, he'll be there by my side.

What is the best day the two of you have had together?

Well, besides our wedding day, that would have to be Tanner's graduation from basic training. Tanner was at BMT in San Antonio for 8 weeks, and all we could do to keep in touch was write letters. Whenever I needed to talk to him I couldn't just pick up the phone, it was tough. Well, after those 8 weeks I got to go to his graduation. Seeing him for the first time was the best feeling ever. I was just overwhelmed with emotion. The whole weekend I just kept staring at him to make sure he was real! Haha. But yes, that was definitely one of the best days.

What makes you different from other couples?

Besides being married at 19 and 20? Haha. Well, we like to keep things goofy no matter what, even when we are trying to be serious, at least one or two giggles escape our mouths. It keeps things lighthearted and laughing together builds an even stronger bond.

What is your favorite thing to do together?

Driving. It doesn't matter where to, just being together, listening to our favorite songs, and talking make us both happy. We also watch A LOT of movies. We are both open to all sorts of movies, we've learned not to judge a movie by its cover, oh, and not to take Rotten Tomatoes to heart.

Do you have a song?

Simple as it Should Be by Tristan Prettyman

What is the most essential element of making it?

Think about the other's needs, and how they feel about things. The more you do that, the easier it is. If you care a lot about the other, show it!

What are your hopes for the future?

Well, I think we change our mind everyday whether or not to stay in the military. So who knows where that will take us. But we definitely are looking forward to traveling, and later on starting a family!

Anything else the world needs to know about love?

Never give up on love! You never know what's out there waiting for you!

As always, if you'd like to participate in the Real People in Love series, just shoot me an email!