If ever there was a couple who trusts in the Lord in all facets of their life, it is Allana & Niraj. I cannot tell you how much their friendship and example has influenced my life. Every time we speak, there is some new nugget of truth that shakes me for the next week. I am so excited to share their installment of the Newlywed Series with you today! I hope you find encouragement and inspiration in their advice and experience. Also, if you’re in Lubbock, go see them at their chiropractic and wellness practice – Wisdom & Truth Wellness.

Tell us a bit about yourselves.

Niraj and I started dating during our 2nd year of chiropractic school. Niraj was born and raised in Lubbock and I was born and raised in East Texas. We are two completely different people who love the same Jesus and that is how our marriage works. We now live in Lubbock, TX and are 12 short days away from opening our very own practice! It is only by the grace of God that we are where we are today.

How long have you been married?

We have been married a year and two months.

Tell us your love story in 3 sentences.

As I look back on our love story it is hard to put it into words. We did not madly in love at first glance, it was a slow, steady working of the Lord on both of our hearts that drew us to each other. Our love story is one that has been tested and put through the fire, which has led to some of the sweetest fruit within our marriage.

What lessons did you learn from wedding planning that might help current brides and grooms?

One lesson I learned is that a wedding planner was invaluable and Jenn did not pay me to say that, it is the truth. But another lesson I learned was to take time during that season to have fun with your spouse and with whoever is involved in the planning process. It is easy to get lost in the details that don’t really matter after that day.

What is your favorite thing about being married?

Allana – my favorite thing about being married is having a best friend all the time. You used to have to call and invite your best friend over for movie night or sleepovers but he is there every night!! It is the best!!  Niraj – I get to come home to my best friend every day and there is always somebody to do something with!!

Has anything about married life caught you by surprise or been something you absolutely didn’t expect?

Nothing comes to mind at the moment that caught me by surprise.

What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it together?

Our biggest challenge is just learning how each other deals with conflict. How we have overcome, which we definitely are not nailing it all the time, is by reading different marriage books and discussing the topics within them. Talking about what could help the other one out during a time of conflict when both of us are calm and no one is mad.

How do you prioritize time with each other and balance your relationship with life and responsibilities?

The Lord was really gracious to give me the opportunity to stay home the first 7 months of our marriage. Looking back that was one of the biggest blessings we ever received. But as life has gotten busier we have tried to commit our early mornings to each other to read the bible, a devotional, and pray together. And one date night a week! Outside of that it vary’s by week.

What is your favorite date idea?

We love going on walks together and dreaming of the future. Dreaming of the house we will build, how many kids we will have, what vacations we want to go on, how the Lord is and will work in the people’s lives around us, etc.

Any advice that you found incredibly helpful or wish you’d received before you got married?

Some of the best marriage advice I got has been from my Mom. She is a very wise woman. She told me to always to make my home a place Niraj loves to come to. It should be a safe haven for him to come to and rest from the pressures of the world.  Also, I am very outgoing and so she said as time goes on it will be easy for you to book your schedule with a million things other than your husband. I am only 11 months in and I have felt what she is talking about. Men desire companionship, so be his companion. Cherish him, love him, treat him as though he were a gift from God straight to you.

Be extremely patient because nothing is going to go the way you planned. And just trust that the Lord is going to take care of everything.

What are you most excited about in the next year for your family?

We are so excited about the practice and to see what God has in mind for that!!!

What do you envision for your next 5 years of marriage?  We envision 5 more years of loving each other in such a way that when people see our marriage they see Christ. Whatever the next 5 years has in store we ask one thing, that we may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our life. We have dreams but we hold those lightly because our ultimate dream is to make much of His name.

I told you, they are so amazing! Take a look back at their love story in these posts: Meet A & N | Their Wedding

xoxo, Jenn