The story of us

A little about us...

I never had a true boyfriend until I was 17. I have had three "serious" relationships, two of which I just chalk up to learning experiences. The third is with my Shanny. I met this guy in 2005. We met in the most romantic place possible to start a courtship- Wal-Mart. His nephew was an employee of mine and told me he wanted to introduce me to his uncle. First of all, the nephew was 20 years old, so how old was this uncle? Try twenty-six. Okay,  I was twenty-four. No biggie. About two weeks after we started dating, I knew this guy, who I met at Wal-Mart, was pretty special.

We have followed each other from city to city and since 2007, state to state. We have had our ups and downs. No relationship is "perfect." If our relationship was all roses and sweet nothings, I would probably have been totally bored. We know what makes each other click and we definitely know to how to push each other's buttons. But when push comes to shove, we've always made up and we never let anyone else put either of us down.

In late May of 2008, we had HUGE surprise. Actually, we like to call it a blessing in the form of a sweet, tiny, raven-haired, seven-pound, two-ounce, little lady who was born in January 2009. When I was pregnant with our little Koko Bean, everyone kept asking me if we were going to get married. I'm not going to lie. The thought crossed my mind, but very quickly. I knew when we were ready, we were ready, but this wasn't going to change the fact that we were Koko Bean's loving parents. Shanny is such a loving father that I'm afraid this little girl is spoiled rotten. I often play the bad guy.

Last month, the two of us took a trip to Las Vegas for the GNC Franchise Convention. This was the first trip we've had alone since before Koko Bean was born. We were extremely excited to go, not only because we knew we would learn a lot at the convention, but also because it was alone time for us. The day we left, as we were sitting at the airport, my college best friend's mom called with some very sad news. My best friend and sister in Alpha Gamma Delta had passed away due to complications from a double lung transplant she received last year. The rest of the day, all I could think about was her and her family.

Day two of our Vegas trip was not much better. I was constantly feeling guilty about being able to enjoy myself. I faked smiles after smiles, laughed at things that weren't funny, and prayed about my deceased friend. That night we were supposed to go out with a vendor of ours but Shanny told the other couple we were with to go without us. He wanted to take me out by himself.

We walked forever that night before our stomachs felt like they were eating our backs. I was so hungry, I said we should just get McDonald's. (If you know me, you know I despise eating McDonald's so you know I was ravenous.) We walked a little bit further to the Paris Hotel. We ate in a small cafe in the hotel and received some of the worst service we've ever seen at an eating establishment short of pouring our drinks on us (true story, but at least we got our drinks then.) 

After dinner, Shanny suggested we go look at the fountains at the Bellagio Hotel. I was hesitant but optimistic, thinking that it was just across the street. I don't know if you have ever traveled to Vegas, but you can't just walk across the street there!! I found this out the hard way. As we made our trek over to the Bellagio, I complained. I complained on the escalators. I complained when those weird card flipper guys aggressively tried to lure us in to one of their XXX rated clubs. I complained about the people, and the heat. When I look back on it, I wasn't really unhappy with Shanny or the trip. I was inwardly unhappy about my friend dying, but outwardly expressing it through everything tangible.

When we finally made it to the fountains, I stood in front of Shanny as he put his arms around me. The fountains were just getting ready to start back up again when he asked me if I was having a good night. I replied, "I guess." I guess??!! This man had pulled out all the stops on this wonderful night out for us and all you can say is "I guess??" What's wrong with you? Right after I said that, he said "well, maybe this will make it better," and turned me around to face him. As he pulled out a ring, he popped the question. It was a quiet and intimate proposal. He did not get down on one knee because there were a lot of people around, and if you know Shanny, you know he's not one to try to draw attention to himself.

The whole way back to our hotel, I was still hot, still uncomfortable, but I was also very happy. After all the heartache I had suffered from losing my friend, my Shanny had come through with a romantic evening followed by a proposal. Now, I'm not a mushy person, nor am I that girl who was doodling her name with her future husband's last name in history class, but this broke through my little wall.

After six and a half years, three dogs, and one child, Shanny and I have been through more than most married couples. We've struggled, we've fought, we've made up, and we've created this amazing little life together. We live together, work together and parent together. I'm thankful I was given this person whom I trust with all my heart. I'm looking forward to being his Mrs and finally sealing the deal.