Our Love Story

Our Love Story - this was written as a preface to our engagement pictures that might be featured on a wedding blog (still pending confirmation of when, but will let you know!). I just realized - why not post it on my own blog with a few of our favorite pictures???? Here you go:

The timid freshman and the second year frat boy

They met at the beginning of 2006, in the safest college class one can take, environmental science. She sat toward the middle of the room, him up a few rows and towards the outer edge. They were paired together for a few assignments and over time began to talk more frequently during lecture and lab. His first hint to her was an invitation to check out his MySpace page – very smooth move at the time – and she did just that, getting him in trouble with his current girlfriend at the time.

At the end of the school year she moved away. Both thinking about the other one here and there through the years, checking out each other’s facebook pages every so often, and of course, keeping tabs on the others “relationship status.” In August of 2012, the once timid freshman went back to the city where they met to visit a friend The frat boy noticed it on facebook and decided to reach out to her. They messaged back and forth a while and then texted and eventually talked on the phone.

They grew to love each other within this few week time span, and quite literally over dinner one night. At the end of August, he decided to make a move. He came to see her for dinner in her hometown, on a Monday night, and had sent her a huge bouquet of flowers the day of their dinner date. That night, they went for sushi (both of their favorites) and talked for hours. She didn’t want him to leave and he didn’t either. They knew after that first date who God made for them. That following weekend they spent together they became “facebook official” and two weeks after that said “I Love You” for the first time, even though they had felt it since date #1.

In February 2013, five months after starting this journey, they got engaged. He surprised her at her apartment February 15th with rose petals, candles and a ring. The two couldn't be more thrilled and all that is left now is "happily ever after" on 8/17/13!!!

ALL THE SINGLE LADIES! (all the single ladies)

So I'm starting this on 10/25/12 - way before I marry my {future} husband.  hahahha why do I think {} are so cool??? Anyways -



The point of this is to PROVE, maybe not once and for all (because we all go through the ups and downs of trusting in God), that the Lord has a plan.



Girlfriends, young and old - you are about to hear the testimony to true love and God's amazing faithfulness like you've never heard it before! I kid you not - you want to read this.



So, I was totally the girl who grew up playing house, playing Barbies (even on Nintendo, and I sucked at Nintendo), playing dress-up, playing LIFE. I always thought, since even before I knew what marriage was, that I would get married to a handsome Prince, ride off into the sunset in a Rolls Royce (because only cool people have Rolls Royce(s), Lucille Ball - duh), and live happily ever after. Well, 'lemme tell you sunthin' – I came to view  all that crap is exactly that - crap. I thought - There is no Prince in a white suite with jet black hair. There is no Rolls Royce (well maybe). There is no "happily ever after" – And whom is to blame??? Walt Disney.  



But maybe there is.....



I went through all the typical phases - marry Ken doll (he is plastic, oops), marry your childhood sweetheart (didn't have one), marry your high school sweetheart (didn't have one), marry the guy you date all through/most of college (fail), marry the most professional and successful man you meet right out of college (double fail). I quit.



I literally said, “I quit.” …. And God finally said, "It's about time" - I'm dang near sure of it. I stopped chasing "the dream" but I didn't give up hope. I blamed it on "other priorities" BAHAHA. Who was I kidding - my eyes were still peeled as far down as the base of an uneaten banana (does that even make sense???). But seriously, I stopped. I gave it to the Lord. I focused on my career - ha! after a four month sabbatical I needed some structure (ie. a job).



Side note: the summer leading up to said "job" I had done some thinkin'. Read here....and here....and here.....oh, and here too.... lots of thinking apparently! (here too!)



REGARDLESS - "a dream is a wish, your heart makes"  (thanks Cinderella) and so I continued to dream. I got my heart broken a few times. I got an incredible job. I visited A (friend in Corpus – who now lives here with her husband – crazy what change a few months will bring). And here I am - engaged to marry the most perfect man I have ever laid eyes on and who the heck knew????



God, duh!



No matter how your heart is grieving

If you keep on believing

The dream that you wish will come true – Cinderella



Not my friends, family, or my new (at the time) coworkers or even my own, very intelligent self knew what was in store. God was the one, plotting and scheming and planning, this whole time - all 25+ dang years (and maybe Cinderella had a hunch)! My soul mate claims he knew the moment he saw me. He says he regrets not making me his girlfriend in college...more on that later.



I am here to testify that waiting on God's timing is the best daggum thing you could ever do for yourself.



Guys will come and guys will go.



(Started crying as I reread what I've written - who does that?!?!? #ballbag)



Heartbreak happens.



Life happens.



And then when  you meet “the one” all the crap you went through before starts to make sense, it all settles in, you start to learn....and grow. You start recognizing the "signs" and the plans God has for you become more apparent. You feel a sense of peace and the thought that "oh wow, this is easy" crosses your mind more than a handful of times a day...even in the most difficult times! The imaginary person you had created becomes reality – but they are better than you could ever imagine.



Let me switch gears for a minute...



(“air quote” alert!)

I never knew how my friends “just knew” their spouse was “the one”. I would ask and the only response I would get was “you just will”. BAH! Not good enough. The only thing I knew was that I didn’t “just know” or hadn’t up until G, and that this whole “the one” concept seemed to be a dying art form or something. I also knew that if I ever did “just know” that I would have a reason or I would at least make something up that sounded more promising than “you just will”.

Low and behold my fellow hopeless romantics, I have an answer for how you will “know” when they are “the one” – or at least how I did…

So, check it, remember all those times where you (surely) said one or more of the following:

-          I wish my boyfriend/girlfriend did _______!

-          I can’t wait until I have a boyfriend/girlfriend so we can do _______.

-          I hope my future husband/wife is _______.

-          How cute is that couple [insert name here], I hope I find someone like that one day.

-          Or anything beginning with “I hope” or “I wish” or “one day” or “I pray” in relation to a potential relationship.

When all that hoping, wishing, praying, expecting comes to a complete stop – that’s how you know. It will all become irrelevant because he/she will actually say those things, act that certain way, and make you feel like the Disney Princess (Prince??) you deserve to feel like.

Of course there are a bunch of other factors (like the joy in being overwhelmed with appreciation for someone) but I never have to say “Man, I wish G did ______ or “…did _______ differently”. Never once during our dating relationship did I ever ask him to change the way he did something. Never did I have to put a plug in his ear to think of me or think of doing something for me. He was proactive. He pursued me with fervor (that’s a fun word). He was the planner, the mover and the shaker. He made things happen and guided our relationship the entire way.  He is everything I honestly NEVER imagined. God’s plan is perfect. It’s better than anything you could have ever dreamed up. I am blessed beyond belief to say I have finally found and am going to marry my ONE and only.

So, to further emphasize my point and attempt to give you hope, let it be known that your heart will feel like never before because you will finally know what true love is. It is EXACTLY how the Bible describes it:



Love is patient – Lord knows G has more than anyone I know

Love is kind – I couldn’t ask for someone more empathetic

It does not envy – G is my biggest fan and encourager

It does not boast – G keeps us grounded

It is not proud – G teaches me humility daily

It does not dishonor others – G and I keep each other in check

It is not self-seeking – If you’ve never met G, you’re missing out on true selflessness

It is not easily angered – This goes with “patience”

It keeps no record of wrongs – Praise God for G’s constant forgiveness

Love does not delight in evil – It is all about respect

But rejoices with the truth

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres



Love never fails – and we truly believe this – Long distance is a really uncool way to test the theory though!



Our relationship is perfect. Maybe not by the next guy's standards but it is perfect for us. It is not that we never argue, or bicker, or get on each other’s nerves - we're normal, duh (and this is partly me we're talking about here). But no joke, every time we argue, or bicker, or get on each other’s nerves - we discuss it, work it out, fix it, and best of all ........ our relationship GROWS STRONGER. I actually started writing and adding to this blog after one of our little "discussions"...We feed off each other. When one is mad the other is mad. When one is sad the other is sad. When one is happy the other is happy. When one is hungry.....kidding.


I can finally publish this!!!! G proposed on 2/15/2013
 

I am so blessed to say I have "found the one" even though I met him over 6 years prior, I can't wait to experience life with the person I was made to experience it with. I look forward to the rollercoaster and all the bumps along the way. When G and I talk about how we wish we had started dating when we first met, we mutually agree that it is best it happened when it did. Friends, when something doesn't work out, TRUST that God has something better in store. Embrace the crap you go through to getting to your one true love. It will all be worth it in the end. I know it was for us! I hope you stick around to see how everything pans out and you better play a part in it! We are very thankful for each other and grateful for the opportunity to start a life together in God's name.



I hope this gives all you single ladies hope and encouragement for your future. Most of all, I hope this gives you PATIENCE to wait on God's perfect timing. God is faithful. Be faithful to Him and He will bless you in ways that words cannot describe.



To your future and the amazing ride God has planned for you!

The Deceiving Box of Chocolate

Life is definitely like a box of chocolates. Who knew Forest Gump would be renowned as a philosopher?

If there is one thing I have learned in my ever dragging 25.5 years, is that you truly don’t know what will happen during your life time, or even within a few seconds. My lovely, wonderful, boyfriend gave me a desk calendar with words of wisdom and inspiration from the one and only Joel Osteen. Yea his theology is what some might call “cotton candy theology” but hey, sometimes it’s whatever it takes to get through the day.

Recently the dialogue suggested I write out ten blessings I have received from God. I’ll admit it, I wrote down the obvious, but I have that list hanging on my unbecoming cubicle where I can see it every time I look up from my computer. Those “obvious” things really are amazing blessings and if you think about it long enough and hard enough, you’ll realize that not everyone in life is BLESSED to have those things such as love of others, angels watching over them while driving (ha!), having just enough to get by, a certain someone, their family and friends, and their health.

We are rich with the blessings we are given, not by the money in our pocket.  Unfortunately I work with a few people who think money is all there is, and if they aren’t making it then they aren’t blessed or living a full life.

So wrong. So heartbreaking.

When you’re struggling with debt, depression, disbelief, discouragement, etc….recall your blessings. You never know what you have until you really think about it. When life doesn’t go as planned, when you eat the nasty cherry filled chocolate and all you want to do is spit it out, you have to remember how rich and blessed you are. You have to make a conscious decision to wake up every morning and say, “Today I will count my blessings. Today will be a good day.”

Even if the day ends up sucking, eventually your faithfulness and humbleness toward God will overcome those bad days for you. You don’t have to fight alone. You have support, family, friends, coworkers, counselors, God, and your own decision to get through the day. Every day will get a little bit easier! With each setting of the sun comes a new day that will fill you with even more light, more energy, and more strength.

There is a plan for everyone. Don’t make God come kick you in the butt. You’re here for a purpose. You’re here because God put you here. It is not our job to make predictions but to go with the flow and let God lead your down the path planned for you.

Remember this – you’re blessed beyond measure; all glory be to God!!!!

God's Got This

Ignorance is bliss. Then you hear the truth and it freaks you out. I am honestly, truly a bit nervous about our future as Americans. I don’t pretend to know what all is going on with our government but it is quite apparent that something needs to give. What happened to being united as one? What happened to democracy and our rights as free people? Why do we, the human race, always seem to screw up a good thing? I don’t have a gun. I don’t know how to shoot a gun. It’s probably a good thing I’m not around guns because I would probably shoot myself in the foot. But, I like knowing other people have them. Good people. There are other ways to solve the issue. I’m just saying.

And another thing, why do we pay people for their lifetime who hold office for 4 years? I just learned about that this year. Sorry – but that’s not cool. And our country is in debt but yet some still wonder why? And our military, who put their life on the line for us…I doubt they are paid as well (although the benefits are nice)  – but let’s be honest.  

I want to be like the girl in “stranger than fiction” who gets audited by the IRS for only paying half her taxes. I don’t want to get audited but I think it’s funny that she only pays the taxes she agrees with.

And another thing… I don’t really want to be over taken by another country because of the amount of debt we are in. I don’t want someone to harm the President because they are fanatical and angry. I just want the President to start making better decisions. He has tons of advisors. Can’t they ADVISE him in the right direction? What happened to common sense or looking out for the future of our country? Not of fan of the back and forth stance on major issues.

HOWEVER, don’t get all bent out of shape, I support our President and government because that is what the Bible says to do:

"Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's permission. The existing authorities have been established by God" Romans 13:1

So don’t doubt God and who He has placed there (whether you voted for the President or not).

“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17

Well that’s a bit more difficult. But if God put him in charge then, there you go. Enough said.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” 1 Timothy 2:1-15

All I have to say to that is, “AMEN”!

Plus several more you can google.

Moving on…. I hope we can learn from these verses, commandments and instructions. Even when we have every doubt – the one reason that supersedes all others is to trust in God and lean not on our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge Him. He knows what he is doing. From the major, world related stuff down to every step we take.

God is in control.

It's seriously 2013....where does the time go?

And yet another life update and birthday shout out to my one and only.

Nothing super major has happened just yet… YET but let’s just say that 2013 will be an eventful year, to say the least.

G and I live out of our suitcases. However, instead of going back and forth from CC to SA, now it is H and SA. A bit further but still not bad. I actually haven’t even had to drive here yet – lucky me! This last time I flew. I am actually still here and it’s been a pretty dang good weekend. G’s birthday is today!!!!! Unfortunately he has to work at the boat show but I did my best to make it as memorable as possible.

Let’s back up one second – G is not living in H, he is living south of H and working at a new boat dealership and service shop. We definitely heard God speak when this opportunity came up. It was rushed and December was a whirlwind kind of month with him moving, changing jobs, going to other states for training, the holidays, and of course trying to spend as much time together as possible. We were able to celebrate our first Christmas and New Years Eve together. We also got to meet more of the important people in our lives and we made sure everyone knew the other was going to be around for a very, very long time. It was a really nice three weeks – then three days back to work and now I am back here in H-town (really K town).

So, since G had to work this weekend I wanted to do something special. I had found a great deal on the downtown Four Seasons Hotel (which included an awesome breakfast). The original plan was for us to stay downtown since he would have to work downtown for the boat show. Then I got the bright idea to throw a surprise party for him. I was going to have everyone meet us at the hotel in the lobby after taking him to dinner. Well, then I thought he wouldn’t want to go out because he would have just gotten done working a really long day (10am-8pm), so I changed everything around (probably 4 times). I had found a great restaurant within walking distance and asked everyone to meet us there for dinner.

G had no idea! It was so great!!! When we walked into the hotel I had set up a nice little birthday display – birthday banner, balloons, cookie cake, present, and all.  On the way to dinner, he knew about the hotel and dinner by this point, we had forgotten the cookie cake I had surprised him with in our room.

I so badly wanted to go back to get it, but he insisted we keep walking because we were “late” for our reservation (and I’m sure he was starving). Little did he know, there were about 12 people waiting for us! Whenever we walked into the restaurant, the group was standing and clapping and saying “Happy Birthday!” It was perfect. Even the table next to them started in on the whooping and hollering. I’m pretty sure he was feeling the effects of ‘shock & awe’!

The food and company were awesome. They even wished him a happy birthday at the top of all our menus! 

After dinner we went upstairs to the dueling piano bar. We didn’t stay too long but it was definitely a birthday to remember!

No major plans for the future at this time. G is going to focus on getting settled at his new job and I am focusing on taking whatever opportunities I can with mine.  

So, I got to see some pretty awesome friends over the break – K came down and PD came from DC! I was so happy to see both of them and really glad we got to spend some QT together. They also got to meet G – which was super important to me.

K had an interview in FW – change is good! PD went back to DC to work for Joaquin Castro – pretty stinkin’ cool!

A and V are moving to SA too! A got a job as a teacher at one of the middle schools in town and will stay with me for a few weeks while they find a place. So many exciting changes for my friends!

AND the best news of all in my book is ….. SISTER IS PREGNANT AGAIN! She is due in June and I absolutely cannot wait to find out if they will have a mini Z or a boy!

Happy 2013!!!!