First Meeting
So our love story began with a work friendship and a broken heart. I had just been broken up with for the second time in six months and was going through a very low moment in my life. I worked with my best friend at the time, and we became friends with this guy, Anthony, who worked in a different department, but the three of us became good friends. Eventually, the two of them decided to take it upon themselves to find me a man so I didn't have to be depressed and alone. Well, as sweet as their gesture was, I was not having it. The guy they both decided I just had to meet just so happened to be Anthony's brother, a single father of two boys. I said no. I was done with men altogether at that point. On the very cold evening of February 17th, the two of them coerced me into going to the store with them to get me out of the house. I was reluctant, but after being given no other choice, I went with them. On the way, I was told that Anthony had to make a quick stop. When we got there, I was told it was too cold to sit in the car and to come inside for a moment. I agreed but wasn't happy about it. Walking up to the door, I asked if this was Anthony's house and was finally told that it was in fact his brother's house. I stopped dead in my tracks, turned, and headed for the car. I was immediately grabbed by both arms and dragged inside the house. I sat down, not knowing what to expect. A few moments later, in walked this loud-mouthed, cocky, little man. I pretended to be busy on my phone but gave him a good once-over. I will admit I looked at him and thought, "He's not even my type." He seemed arrogant and short, and I can't stand either one of those things. However, I can admit when I'm wrong, and boy, was I wrong...
The Moment I Fell in Love
So, this is the moment that my heart decided to betray me. After a few nights of having dinner over at Chris's house and spending time with him, I started to realize that my first assumptions were half correct. He was, in fact, short. That part was very obvious, and I also found myself not minding it after all. I started to realize fairly quickly he wasn't as arrogant as I had once envisioned. The fact was, he played a very convincing role. After actually talking to him and letting my judgment fade, I learned not to judge a book by its cover because his book was actually quite interesting. He told me about his time in the Navy and how he was still a reservist and planned to retire from the Navy. I understood and respected Chris's commitment to the military due to my own dad's military service in the Army and him raising me with a deep respect for our service members. The life-changing moment in question happened on the following Saturday after our first meeting.After several nights of him cooking dinner, I decided I'd return the favor, so I invited him over that night. He informed me it would be after drill. I found myself getting excited with each passing hour. Finally, the moment came, and I heard a knock at the door. As I opened it, there he stood in full Naval fatigues, smelling of Tommy Hilfiger cologne and looking... FINE! I literally forgot how to breathe for a moment as my heart played a very unrhythmic beat in my chest. It was at this moment I heard a very distinct and betraying voice in my head that smoothly slid its way into my heart, say... You're going to marry this man someday.
Proposal Moment
Now comes the part we have all been waiting for, especially me. I waited longer than anybody. I waited so long I started to think that "someday" might have been an exaggeration on my part. Like "never going to happen" was starting to look more feasible. But I had already built a life with this man, being just shy of 6 years in, and creating a "his, mine, and ours" blended family. Finally, one evening I found myself alone in the kitchen washing dishes when he came in and said he wanted to ask me a question. I turned around and this man was shaking, which caught me off guard because I had never seen this man act scared of anything the whole time we had been together. That's when he dropped to one knee and pulled out this ring. Well, that silly little heartbeat that betrayed me before while standing at my door betrayed me again. I started to cry as he gave the most heartfelt speech of his life. He told me I changed his life and made him a better man. There was more to his speech, and I want to acknowledge that the proposal was in fact perfect, but I was in complete shock and honestly can't remember everything he said to me. But what I do remember and will never forget were the words "Will you marry me?" leaving his mouth. I was crying so hard it took me a moment to get the words "Yes, I will" out of my mouth. But that was the words I have never regretted saying....
Moments Now
As I sit here and reminisce about how our relationship began, I can't help but to be grateful that we didn't rush anything. We have been able to grow together, and even through ups and downs in our relationship, we have worked through it, and it has made us stronger. Taking our time has given me the opportunity to annoy Chris on a daily basis, just to remind him of what he has gotten himself into. I can say that I love this man more today than I did over eleven years ago when I first opened that door and my heart betrayed me. I find he still takes my breath away. He has shown me that despite what I think, I am worthy to be loved and taken care of. He has stepped up so many times and supported me through some of the toughest times in my life. He brought me back from a place in my mind where I felt less than. He has proven time and time again that he is the most hardworking provider when it comes to his family. We have had challenges when blending his, mine, and our situation with our family. But we did alright. In short, if I could do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. The best part of spending this much of my life thus far with him is getting to be annoying and bring him that kind of joy, oh, and love—we can't forget about the love. All jokes aside, I can't wait for February twenty-seventh when we finally say "I do" and we get to share this experience with all of you.
