5 Years ago I said "I Do" to this awesome and wonderful guy who had stolen my heart from the moment I heard his voice on the phone. It was a whirlwind romance, followed by a roller coaster ride of 5 years. I love my life with my husband so much and I can not imagine sharing these moments or facing the difficult times with out him by my side.
In honor of 5 years, I am sharing "Our Story" so that one day our kids can look back and know just how much their mommy and daddy loved each other!
Each of us had recently ended long term relationships and were kind of floating around the dating world with not much luck. Every time a commercial for E-Harmony came on T.V. I felt this tug, this curiosity, that I needed to sign up, see who was out there, outside my small town. MANY times I pushed it aside, as I am fairly reserved when it comes to meeting new people.
Finally, in January of 2007, they were offering a trial month and a 3 month deal, so I went for it. AT first I did not tell anyone, it seemed like no one would take it seriously. Finally, a close friend had met her husband online and I knew I could trust her to help me sort through things and have someone who would understand the whole "meeting on line" thing and not be judgmental.
AJ and I were matched in Mid January, but we both chose not to pursue the other one. We didn't delete the profile, just sort of let it sit in the "waiting bin." We often joke about how easily one or the other of us could have deleted the other and there would be no story for me to tell. I remember several times going and reading his profile. Each time I thought hmmmmm....but didn't do anything about it.
Finally, AJ made the first move and got the ball rolling. We started chatting online shortly after that and I loved everything he had to say. He was honest and genuine and having also gone through a recent relationship experience he knew what he was looking for just like I did. Our goals and values were lining up. I was still a little reserved and made him message me twice before I agreed to phone conversations.
By this time, a few more people knew what I was doing and as I had worried they had a lot of questions about meeting someone on line.
I finally relented and on February 17th I dialed a phone number that would change my life. When he answered I fell in love. I know, it sounds crazy, but something just clicked. You know "when you know, you know....It just feels right...etc, etc."
We talked for several hours that night until his phone finally died and he had to drive home from work in a snowstorm. From there we began talking almost every night. I would race home from work so I could call him, and we would talk from 5 or 6 in the evening till 2 or 3 in the morning. We talked about everything, and the more we talked the more I fell in love. He was so supportive, so kind, so warm, and so understanding. He understood me and was willing to accept our differences. I'll never forget one of our conversations where I told him I wanted to go sky diving. He said he would never do it because he does not like heights, but that he would be more than willing to catch me on my way down. Awwww...heart melts. :)
After 2 months of phone calls and web caming AJ was getting ready to graduate college in May. We decided I could fly up to VA to meet him and watch him graduate. By this time most of my close friends and family knew about him and they had a lot of questions. Especially when I told them I booked a ticket to go see him. Two of my close friends and colleges talked to him on the phone before I went, and my brother. Our school resource officer asked if he should run a background check on him. (I declined it.) And there were many conversations and frustrated tears. It was hard because I could not make them see what was in my heart.
Thus began my whirlwind trip. I was there for 3 days and in that time, I met not only him for the first time, but 3 of his closest friends, and both his parents. His parents were so sweet and welcoming. I remember crying one night because everything seemed so right, and I knew I was going to have to leave. We celebrated his graduation and he showed me around the area. We spent even more time talking about the future. We both knew I had to go back to FL but we also both knew we wanted to make this work. Before I left that weekend he told me "I Love You" for the first time. I returned the sentiment :)
Getting on the plane home was one of the hardest things I have ever done. We were both so worried that it would change things. When I got home, I told my family I was moving to VA to be with him. Well....that didn't go over so well. It was not him, it was mostly the fact that I was going to give up so much (job, house, family) to be with someone they had never met.
The first time my family met AJ he had flown down in June to help me pack up and move. It was a rough meeting and while they tried very hard to get to know him and support me it was difficult for them to understand what I was feeling and how I knew this was the right thing to do. We had decided to do a trial run and I would go up for the summer, see if I could find a job etc. If not, I could still come back and pick up where I left off.
That summer was one of the best summers of my life. We had so much fun, and really got to be a couple. Unfortunately, I could not find a job and we had to make the decision that I needed to return to FL. The good news was that AJ decided to come with me. Now it was his families turn to question us. The next time my family met AJ was as they helped unload the moving truck for him. It was a much better meeting. :)
By November of that year we were engaged (with both families blessings) and we began the wedding planning. In May of 2008 Just over a year from meeting face to face, we said "I Do" and began our lives together.
In November of 2008 we found out we were expecting our first gift from God and Mr. P was born July 2009. 3 and 1/2 years later Miss A. joined our family.
We have had our share of troubles but I know that with AJ by my side I can be more than I ever imagined. Knowing I am coming home to him after a long day at work makes my day. His support is amazing and he always tells me I can. At the time I didn't recognize it, but I know it was God's hand pushing me and God's voice whispering to me that this was what I needed to do. That this was his plan for me, the path I should follow. Thanks to AJ I have also become closer to God. A gift I can not thank him enough for. They say great couples have great how we met stories and ours certainly is.
I LOVE YOU AJ...thank you for 5 wonderful years, for loving me even when I am tough to love and for always knowing when I need one of your awesome bear hugs. I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together and to see all the adventures we have. You are the only one I want to share them with!!!
