By now I think you all know that I am obsessed with love, laughter, and life. Just the other day I was crawling into bed after midnight only thinking how tired I was after an extremely long day. I did not feel like talking, listening, or even thinking about anything life related. Tony on the other hand wanted to hold a pretty serious conversation. I mean, I was huffing and puffing and really just wanted to tell him to go to sleep. I figured maybe he would get the picture that I was exhausted but boy was I wrong.
Little did I know he wanted to pour out his heart. Y'all, I love that man with all I have and with all that I don't. My husband is a man of few words on many days. He does have an awesome personality, witty humor, and intelligence ranging miles wide. However, when those deep heart felt words flow I have learned to shut up and listen because they without a doubt will be good. Those little moments like the other night are when I have learned to truly grow to love my husband even more for his precious heart.
This may sound selfish but I think many of you ladies will agree with me-- I love that Tony and I get to share some of the most beautiful times together in this life. I love when it is just us taking on the world one day at a time. From the little conversations at 1AM to those glances across the room at each other, grocery shopping, being in the same state 24/7, and just simply doing life together is one big blessing right after the other. I certainly am not planning to share all the ends and outs of this life and our love story because while some moments are rare, they are oh so special. Even though I share most of our memories, some are staying near and dear to my heart. But... if you want just a few more I have shared here how Tony's a Giggle Box in THIS post.
Let's move on to the story you all have been waiting for...
To end the summer of 2011 Tony and I planned a five day beach trip to Destin with our friends, Joseph and Kinsely Fowler. Tony had spent the summer working his last Co-Op term with Southern Company before he started his Senior year at UA and I spent the summer taking classes at LSU. Needless to say, we were both anxious to reunite and wanted nothing more than to smell the ocean, feel the breeze, and have our toes in the sand! He nor I had ever been to Destin at an age we could remember so we were beyond excited.
We left Butler for Destin at 6:30AM Thursday wanting to hit the beach by lunch. As soon as we arrived and met Joseph and Kinsley, we realized things were not going as planned. The three bedroom condo the four of us were supposed to stay in was double booked, therefore we had to find somewhere else to stay for one night until our room became available Friday. We were lucky enough to find a one bedroom junior at the same condominium, just not large enough to sleep the four of us (non of us were married at the time so Kinsley and I were planning to share a room while the guys took a room). We decided to take a break from the room situation and thought it would be best to chill on the beach and have dinner, not worrying about sleeping arrangements.
Tony nor I could get comfortable that first night. We had not brought extra blankets, pillows or sheets (I am tempted to pack them now everywhere I go!) to possibly have made a pallet. Instead, we actually tried sleeping outside on the patio in our beach chairs. It worked for a while, but soon became a miserable effort. Although we were not hungry, around 3:30AM I offered the idea of going to eat at Waffle House, which he willingly accepted. He asked if I would like to watch the sunrise on the beach. I thought, "Why not? We're already awake and won't be going back to sleep anytime soon!" We got up, repacked our bags and loaded the car. Our plan was to go eat, watch the sunrise, and come back to our new three bedroom condo by lunch to unload our bags, yet again. Little did I know, Tony had somewhat of a different plan. He went to get the car and took with him his bags and our beach bag we were planning to take to watch the sunrise. At the time, I had not noticed but he had packed from Butler a wrapped box beneath his clothes and transferred it to the beach bag beneath the towels while I was still packing my bags in the room.
By 4:30AM we were eating breakfast at Waffle House. We then rode around Destin since it is fairly small and headed back to the condo. By 5:45AM we were on our way to the beach as the first few rays of sunlight began to spread across the sky. It was extremely peaceful and very quite, but best of all, we were two of six people out that morning. When we found a spot to ourselves he handed me a towel from the bag to spread out so we could sit down. (I must add, he NEVER carries the bag- I always carry it, however I did not even notice it until after everything was over. I am sure it would have made me somewhat apprehensive since he insisted, but I think I was so tired I could have cared less how the towels made it to the beach).
Before I knew it I was sitting down and he was awkwardly still standing pulling out the wrapped box. Initially, I though it was a "happy." He knew that I had brought his birthday gifts with me for him to open and I figured, well he wanted to get me a "just because gift." He tried to squat and said "What's this?" and "How'd it get in the bag?" I began opening the box, which actually led me to open a second smaller box. It was then my thoughts began to swim and I became confused. I think I was taking my sweet time trying to figure it all out because he took the smaller box from me and started opening it himself. By this time, he was standing and asked me if I would please stand with him.
As we both stood there, with shaking hands, he uncovered the ring box from the wrapping paper and hit his knee. With tears in our eyes I stood listening to the blue-eyed boy I fell in love with back at the Patrician picnic tables years ago as he asked "Will you marry me?" Before we could say anything else we hugged for what seemed like forever and I finally whispered "YES!" By now my tears were coming full force and with shaking hands he placed a beautiful ring on my finger.
I should note, most importantly, he had been thinking of "the perfect proposal plan" since December and took the entire summer studying what made a diamond a diamond and how he thought I would want a ring designed. Later that day, once I had time to take everything in he said, "Since I'm supposed to be your Prince Charming, I knew I wanted a Princess cut ring for you 'cause you're My Princess."
I was never the type to want to look at rings with him because I have always believed it is the guy's job to pick what he thinks represents his future wife and the relationship shared between the two. To me, price nor size never mattered, but to have him say those few words full of such meaning made my heart long for the future we will share together. He as my Prince and me being his Princess, we are the King's children. He did a wonderful job making everything so simplistic and unique, yet so amazing and perfect for us.
We took most of the morning to enjoy each other, share the dreams we had for our future together, and discuss all that marriage encompasses. We called only close family and a few friends that evening to share the news, and waited to tell the social media world later that weekend. We decided not set a wedding date immediately so that we could enjoy the moment, however we did discuss ideas.
As most of you know by now, we eventually decided that we did not want to have a long engagement (which would have ended sometime after my LSU graduation in December 2013), therefore our wedding date was set on October 12! We decided that I would complete my degree at UAB (which was the original plan before I move to Baton Rouge), and we would move to Birmingham in the summer.
Most of our wedding plans were complete by February 2012 and we began house hunting. To make a long story short, we decided to not rush into buying a home so we found an apartment, I got busy trying to meet transfer student qualifications, Tony started work in May, we got hitched in late June, honeymooned in St. Lucia, and are currently living the newlywed life. There has been so much change in so little time, but we are loving this new journey in life and are taking things one day at a time.
This was later on the day Tony proposed. As you can see, we are collegiately divided in the photo at the top, but he proposed anyway. It must be love to be paired with a Tiger when you are a die hard Alabama fan. :)
This was our last dinner in Destin. We ate at McGuire's Irish Pub, which is fantastic. You can write on a dollar and staple it to the wall for no real reason. It just made the restaurant look cool.
I believe fairy tales are very possibly, however love stories are even better! As a little girl I would always dream of my Prince Charming. However, my fairy tale has turned much better in real life all thanks to the man I share this crazy ride with. The day we became engaged was such a shock to me, yet it was also very beautiful in every way possible. Taking the plunge into marriage was a scary thought at the time, but it has been one of the best decisions Tony and I have ever made. He stepped out on a limb by himself for me, and together we made a decision for us and for our future, not for anyone else. At the time, it was one of the biggest steps we had taken together as a couple. Love is a beautiful thing and finally being married is worth all the time we spent apart and that which was and is sacrificed from time to time. Sharing life with your best friend makes things all the better. I sure cannot say "the end" because we are still writing our love story, so... to love, laughter, and happily ever after!
I hope you enjoy your Valentine and spreading the love today! I love you all and am thankful you are here tagging along in my little world! I plan to recap our Valentine's at a later date! For now, I am going to link up a few of my favorite posts below! :)
On Marriage
- Confessions [Being a Brand New Wife]
- Confessions [Marriage As A Contract]
- Confessions [Marriage As Commitment]
On Love
If you would like to watch our wedding video slide show, click here. If you would like to read more about our wedding click here.
All Things Wedding
If you would like to read any blog post from the Wedding Wednesday series, click on the specific content of the colored text below. Happy Planning to all of the Brides and Grooms! Please feel free to contact me if I can help you in any way!
1) Decor (Reception and Ceremony) Click Here
2) Flowers Click HERE
2) Flowers Click HERE
3) Reception Food and Cakes Click Here
4) Photographer Click Here
5) Make-up/Hair Click Here
6) Wedding Random Extras Click Here
7) The Dress and Shopping Click Here
8) Save The Dates Click Here
8) Save The Dates Click Here
Until next, happy blogging!
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