We got married this year!! September 22, 2018. Beautifully perfect day, with no real problems other than the health complications we expected.
Perfection.
Really.
We are finally going through all of our engagement and wedding photos. Like most girls, I can often be my own worst critic and usually abhor specific pictures because of an odd angle, a few extra pounds, or a smile that's just a little off.
What really struck me, though, is the evident contrast between engagement photos and wedding photos.
When we got our engagement photos done, I was not yet on any medication to help steady my swelling episodes from Hereditary Angioedema. Essentially, I was perpetually swollen, everywhere. Shortly thereafter, I started on an HAE medication that has worked wonders for me.
So now, looking back at those engagement photos, it has proven to be difficult to love them. I am extra critical because I don't feel as though I even look like myself that much. Luckily for me, it kind of just looks like I lost a few pounds before the Big Day (hooray!). That's not the case though.
The photo on the left, in the super cute yellow dress, actually happens to be one of my favourites from the engagement shoot. My super puffy knees are less noticeable, and the blissful smile on my face brings more focus to the true happiness from being engaged to the man that I love. With that said, even my face shape is different. My arms are pretty puffy. It actually looks like I may have Prednisone swelling.
Overall, I simply look puffed out.
Which I was.
Fast-forward to the rehearsal - the puffiness has been reduced substantially. There isn't as much swelling concealing the fact that I have knees. My arms seem much more toned, my face shape has returned to its usual oval shape, and I am less self-conscious about my abdomen.
This medication has done wonders for the outward symptoms of this complicated illness.
Incredible the difference though - when you look closely.
The one very crucial point about both of these photos: I am HAPPY. I am smiling. I am enjoying my life and our relationship immensely.
And I love being married.
