Two Birds, One Stone...

As a little girl I was never one to play with dolls or Barbies, but I sure did love playing dress up. There was something so fantastic about idealizing the future and doing "grown up" things. I vividly remember putting on this itchy white dress with sparkles down the front [see below, on right], hating it for the itchies but loving so much the idea of being a bride and finding the man of my dreams. [If you knew me as a child, you would know that I hate itchies, and when my socks weren't right.]

 

Although a lot has changed since the days of dress up and make-believe, some things have stayed the same. I still hate itchies and when my socks aren't right, and the little blonde cutie in the photo is, to this day, one of my dearest friends. The difference between then and now, though, is that my dreams of being a bride are becoming a reality. I am having an incredibly difficult time grasping that! And, I have found THE man of my dreams! This time in my life is so much more special than I could ever have imagined.

If you have followed this blog over the past few years, you will know that my life has been a series of highs and lows since moving to Cleveland. During one of those "low" periods, I spent many nights laying awake, journaling, weeping, and creating a "stick person" of the man of my dreams; a list of personality traits, things I expected to find in a man. I decided that I wasn't going to date a man until I knew for sure that he fit the "stick figure" I had created in my mind. ...& then came Christian. Just over a year ago he swept me off my feet and I can honestly say my life hasn't been the same since October 8th, 2011. I was so excited when he asked me on our first date, I spent the entire day primping and changing outfits, eventually deciding to go out and buy a completely new outfit from head to toe. I remember sitting in the living room waiting for the doorbell to ring, praying to God that my nervousness wouldn't show and that my "smoky eye" wasn't too dark. He took me to St. John's in Chattanooga and it was undoubtedly the most memorable first date I have ever been on to date, for more than one reason! He thought I was special; this wonderfully passionate, strong, handsome man thought I was special! All my life I've prayed that God would bring a man into my life who would romance me, and that he did!

Over the course of the past year we have laughed together, cried together, fought like siblings and loved each other more every day. He has become my closest friend in the world. He is far better than the "dream husband" I idealized as a child. He is infinitely more special than any "stick figure" I've created as an adult. And now, I get to call him my fiancé! On October 13th 2012 in St. John's restaurant, Christian Phelps asked me to be his wife... And I said YES! Can you believe it? I went off to Lee and got my MRS degree!

On our way to St. John's

  

My guy! So calm, cool and collect.

The most special moment of my entire life.

Tada! (We sure do look good, despite the tears!)