One Year Later

On this very Friday only one year ago, my now-fiancee Stephen picked me up for what would be the last First Date of our lives.

We had spoken twice that week leading up to the Big First Date, both conversations lasting 2+ hours each. I already felt like I knew so much about him, but still had major butterflies because, let's face it, he's a hottie : )




I left work half an hour early to head home and start getting ready. I primped in the bathroom for 2 hours, making sure my dress was perfect, my hair was in place and my make-up was sweat proof and flawless.

He picked me up promptly at 7:00 p.m.....actually scratch that. He was 5 minutes early. Which, as Patty the Millionaire Matchmaker would say, is a good sign.

I'll never forget the way I felt when I first laid eyes on him. It was like 6 feet and 170 pounds of light and positivity walked through my front door. It was as if God said at that moment, "Screw all those bad dates and not-so-nice guys before. This is the one for you. It's your turn to be happy."

I was immediately comfortable and at ease, knowing full well he was a legitimate guy with good intentions.

We went out to dinner at Copeland's, a New Orleans style restaurant that's close to where we live. I really don't remember how the food tasted, the specials, or anything else about the restaurant. But I can tell you exactly what he wore, what he said and the way I felt staring at him from across the table.

We saw a movie after dinner and then he walked me up to my door at the end of the night. A perfect, southern gentleman. (The beauty of this date is in the details, but those memories are ours : )

Two days later, we were hanging out again, watching True Blood and playing with Ari (our dog) in the backyard.

We've never been apart since.

Did I know I'd marry him the moment I saw him? Yes. (And I've always made fun of people that said that.)

As I type this, it's amazing how my life has done a 180 in just 365 short days. We're only 50 days away from our wedding and sometimes I have to pinch myself to remember that this is reality. It's true what my mom (and Flannery O'Conner) always said - a good man is hard to find, but they're out there.

My favorite things about Stephen are his sense of humor, his wit, the way he can work a room full of people, his kindness, his love for God, the way he treats his momma, his honesty, his loyalty to the Chicago Cubs and the Arkansas Razorbacks, the way he treats his little niece Ava, the way he makes me feel pretty, (even when I'm wearing gym shorts and tennis shoes), his homemade spaghetti sauce, his dedication to our relationship....

In other words, I'm still smitten.

One year later.

P.S.- These babies popped up on my desk yesterday after I got back from lunch. Two dozen red roses polished off with white cala lillies for moi. He's spoiling me rotten!

Be blessed, lovelies-