Our Love Story

Well, Anna, funny you asked because I had planned to post our story. So, here it is!

"There is no 'one,' Ashley," insisted a friend just after I ended an engagement to marry someone else. "That's fairy-tale stuff. It just doesn't exist."

"Well, you may not have a 'one' but I do."

I had a list. Yes. A list. About 50 things that I wanted in a man. Honestly, I didn't expect to find someone to meet every last detail. And I didn't stick to the list everytime I met someone. I created it for myself more than anything, and a few months down the road I forgot about it.

I met a few guys that I got along with, but something didn't click. Then, early December I stumbled into someone's blog. His latest post illustrated his desire for fatherhood. Particularly to a little girl.

He intrigued me. So, I sent him a quick note and told him I would be reading his blogs and commenting on them. I read every blog and commented on almost every last one.

I finished the last blog and I knew it. I found the one. Finally.

Everything clicked.

I sent him another note describing who I gathered him to be after reading his words. His jaw hit the floor and stayed there.

We talked for a few days. I gave him the liberty to lead our relationship. At first, we decided to start off as friends, but that didn't last very long. We were in a relationship before we met, and not one doubt pierced our mind.

Just before the holidays I drove to Pennsylvania (where he lived, and we now live together) and put a package on his car. The drive should have taken 1 hour and 30 minutes. It took me 6 hours of getting lost to find his car. (I retrieved his address by telling him I would send him a Christmas present).

Within the package I included his favorite candies, a letter, and four c.d.'s, some worship, some love songs, and some classic rock songs. One of the c.d.'s had Faith Hill & Tim McGraw's "It's Your Love," which made George tear up.

So, he decided to push our "meeting" up from after the holidays to Christmas Eve.

It couldn't come any slower.

Finally, December 24th rolled around. A much anticipated day for so many reasons. The beginning of genuine romance would finally begin, and I could not believe it.

George pulled up to my house and I arrived an hour later, maybe more. I think he over-estimated the time. He parked out of sight, and called the house to tell me to come outside.

My hands were shaking. My heart beating so fast that I gave up trying to slow it down. The anticipation climbed to an unimaginable height. Would he like me? What if he doesn't?

I opened the door, and within an instant every fear vanished and I entered a movie.

Standing in the middle of the yard with my hands clasped behind my back I waited for him. He jumped out of his car after blaring "It's Your Love" loud enough to wake the neighbors, and ran to me through the yard.

His arms wrapped around me, picked me up, and twirled me around as we both cried and at the reality before us. We couldn't believe it.

"Hi..." I said over and over as our eyes locked.

We smiled, and smiled, and smiled. Then went inside so that I could put the roses he gave me into a vase. There in the kitchen his arms surrounded me as I cut the flowers. And I didn't feel excited. I didn't feel that butterfly feeling. The only feeling that covered me was pure contentment. This is right, I thought. This is so right.

We kissed by the Christmas tree for the first time. So much for waiting a few months. ;o) And many more followed throughout the night.

We went to the Baltimore harbor (I lived in Maryland) and sipped hot chocolate, read bible verses, and admired each other far more than the blinking lights around us. He carried me back to the car and we drove home singing "We Will Rock You" to the top of our lungs, and some The Who songs. Interesting, I know.

The experience was magical. A night I will always remember.

Later this week I'll explain his proposal, our wedding, our rollercoaster marriage, and the beauty of where we are now. :o)

The picture above was taken the night we first met.