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Exciting news!!

It's been awhile since I've written a blog post. This semester has been busy--not only because of school stuff, but also because of exciting life things. About a month ago, the most amazing man got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! And of course, I said yes!

Honestly, there were times that I questioned if I would ever marry someone. Living with cystic fibrosis is hard. Choosing to be with someone with cystic fibrosis is almost crazy. Think about it; I am not a normal 23 year old. I have to plan and plan and plan to make sure I fit breathing treatments, exercise, and eating into my schedule. When I travel, I have to take a crazy amount of stuff with me--my Vest, nebulizers, compressor, pills, inhaled medication, puffers, and snacks. I have to make sure I sleep 8-9 hours a night because my body uses more energy than most, and I need sleep to fight infection. I have to have a course of IVs at least twice a year. It's hard to be spontaneous and adventurous because CF really doesn't allow for that. CF is progressive, meaning my health is just going to become a bigger, more frustrating part of my life. Yet my fiancé still loves me and still chooses me. I told you he might be slightly crazy! ;)

One silver lining of CF is it's a great filtering process for relationships. I never had a relationship really before my fiancé. I'm pretty sure my CF scared guys off, which I'm ok with. Better to scare people off who can't handle a health crisis before getting into a relationship than to be in a serious, committed relationship when the guy realizes he can't handle it. Many people with CF are now getting married and having families because of all the great CF research and therapies available. But CF is still a big thing to choose to deal with, and no average (or less than average) person will willingly take that on. My fiancé is incredible, as is every significant other of a person with CF.

Note: I'm not saying that people with CF don't have something great to offer their partners, because we definitely do. We each have our own unique passions and talents, just like everyone else. We also tend to pursue a life worth living because we know how precious life is. We often love fiercely and forgive quickly because we know tomorrow is not guaranteed. We are loyal to the people who choose to stick by our sides through thick and thin. However, I am saying that the people who choose to get close to us (friends, significant others, and family members) are amazing people and tend to be the most caring people you will ever meet. They're not scared off by a diagnosis or by a theoretical life expectancy, and they are some of the best encouragers I know. I am truly blessed to have found a man who loves me and cares for me like my fiancé does. Not only that, but I also have some of the best family members and friends a girl could ask for. I thank God every day for surrounding me with such amazing people!

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