Real Life Love Stories | Ours from Brian's Perspective

As we wrap up our Real Life Love Stories for this year (I think this is a series I will be bringing back yearly- so beware.... you may be asked to participate next year!), I decided it was time to comply with the emails, FB messages, and texts I received asking when you would read our Real Life Love Story.

But I thought I would do things a bit differently.

You have heard our story from my perspective many times..... our engagement, our wedding, and many moments in between.

And even though Brian has spontaneously shared his thoughts and feelings about us, I thought it would be fun to get his perspective on different aspects of our love story.

Here he is in his own words.....




When did you first notice Suzette?

The first time I saw you I noticed you. You were in the choir wearing that blue choir robe and your hair was curly (I had a spiral perm at the time).

When did you first notice Brian?

I knew you from Sunday school, and just knew you as Brian, my friend, the one guy I was comfortable with. It wasn't until 5 years later that I realized I looked forward to you walking into our Sunday school class, and started making sure the seat next to me was available for you to sit in .... if you wanted to.

When did you decide to date me?

I had thought about for a while but assumed you were out of reach. I actually decided to ask you when our pastor called me and gave me the push I needed.

I was constantly getting clues from people that I should pursue you- my Grandma and brother Ricky were always encouraging me to pursue you. But I had a crush on you long before anyone encouraged me to date you.

I mentioned it to a few of my friends from church while hanging out at my house one day, a year before we started dating. I was told that I had to talk to your dad first (which I already knew), and that your dad would have to come on our first date with us, and sit between us. I told them that I didn't mind because I really liked your dad a lot. (Suzette here: My dad and I didn't even know about the "rule" that my dad had to come with us. You have got to "love" rumors....)

Did you have to do anything special before you could take me on a first date?

I had to talk to your Dad. (2nd hardest thing I ever had to do. 1st hardest was actually asking you if you would want to go out with me.) I was nervous and anxious the whole time we talked, and I answered all of his questions honestly. I thought he would turn me down because our talk took an hour.

When did you ask my parents for permission to marry me?

You were at an overnight teacher's convention. I went to your parent's home for dinner and asked them for permission. They both gave their approval. We then headed to the Bill Gothard Seminar we were attending that week, and the whole drive there we brainstormed different ideas of how I could propose. (Fire drill was totally Brian's idea, though.)


Suzette's side from that night...

You always called me on your way home from work, but that day you were really quiet on the phone- totally unlike you. I asked if you were okay, and you, never being able to keep anything from me, told me you were going to ask my parents for permission marry me that night.

From that point on I was useless!

Faye and I went to dinner alone (the other teachers had already gone, which was a blessing). When we got back to the hotel, I had to wait to call my parents because you all had gone to the seminar. I finally called home at 10:30 p.m. and after playing phone tag a few times, Mom finally answered. I asked how everything had gone that night and Mom said, "Oh, it was nice!"

"How was Brian?" I asked.

"Oh, he was wonderful. You father and I just love him!"

"Did he say anything?"

"Oh..... that he loves you and that our house wasn't the same with you away tonight."

"Mom! Did he ask if he could marry me?!"

From the background I heard my father chuckling, and then he shouted, "Tell her we said yes!" at which point I burst into tears! I wanted to run out into the hallway of the hotel and yell, "He asked and they said yes!" But I didn't.

How long did you date, and how long have you been married?

We dated for exactly one year. Our first date was Friday, July 11, 2003, and we were married Saturday, July 10, 2004. We will be celebrating 10 years of married life this July.

What has been you favorite part of married life?

Everything. Being able to live with my best friend.

Thankful | Work

 

I am thankful that Brian has a job to go to every day.

It is not always easy work- driving for hours can be hard on his back and circulatory system, climbing through attics, under portables, and installing phone systems in buildings with no air conditioning during the summer- but it is honest, good work.

I am thankful that he is paid fairly and has the opportunity to be paid overtime when warranted.

In this time of financial uncertainty in our country, I am thankful that we are able to provide for our children on one income and that Brian is the bread winner of our home.

I am thankful that my children see their father leave for work every morning and know that their daddy is working hard so that their mommy can stay home with them. Even Ian is being taught about his future responsibility to his family by watching his father head out the door every weekday.

I am thankful that my children know that Santa does not bring their presents. I always tell them that God has given Daddy a job and the ability to work so that we can have money to buy them presents. There is no way some imaginary guy in a red suit is going to get the credit for my husband's hard work!

I am so thankful for the work Brian does.

Thankful | Brian

I am so very thankful for my husband, Brian. He is a godly man with such an honorable heart.

 

I am thankful for the leader that he is in our home.

 

I am thankful that he is such an involved father in the lives of his children. I do not have to parent alone. He jumps right in once he is home and helps with diapers, bath time, bed time, and homework (yes, Addie's teacher gives her homework occasionally!).

 

 

I am thankful that he is such a hard worker so that I can stay home with the children. Many times when I am asked if am still teaching and I respond with "I am at home with the kids, and I home school my daughter," I get the, "You're lucky you're able to do that" response. I am not lucky. I am blessed to have a husband who is willing to work hard so that we can live on one income.

 

I am thankful that Brian values "our time" together. Once the kids are in bed for the evening, Brian and I have our set aside time for each other and we spend it together. Early on in our marriage, we decided that we would not be a couple that was married but lived their own lives. We do have freedom to do our own things (a day or evening out with the guys/girls), but that is not our "normal." 

 

I am thankful that the words "Brian" and "pride" do not belong in the same sentence (except for this sentence......). Recently, he was asked to be a deacon in our church (which is a great honor, no matter what church you attend). Brian turned it down because he wanted to know that he was being asked based on qualities that were seen in him and not because he looks good on paper and there was a need. I think that he proved how qualified he was right there. 

 

I am thankful that Brian is not just my husband, but my friend as well. We can sit and talk about everything and nothing. We can laugh about something that one of us said or did. We can call each other and "chat" forever because we enjoy talking to each other.

 

I am thankful that Brian and I do not have the same personality. He is such a go-with-the-flow, it-will-get-done, relax, don't-worry-so-much type of person. He is the perfect balance for me because I am the exact opposite.

 

I am so thankful for Brian and that God brought us together when he did.

 

Fantasy Football Draft 2012

Saturday at 10:00 a.m. was our annual Fantasy Football Draft.

My home that I love is completely rearranged and turned into a "War Room" for a few hours as the "team owners" buy players.

I cannot even begin to tell you how seriously Fantasy Football is taken!

You would think they actually own these teams!

This year both kiddos were in the thick of things. Addie sat right at the table (next to her "Vi-toria") and worked on her jewelry kit that we picked up the night before. Ian napped, was held by me, and was also passed around. He loved it!

I did my thing- played hostess. I refilled coffee cups and orange juice cups. Made sure everyone had enough to eat. Made four pots of coffee. (Considering that our Victoria had gotten four hours of sleep the night before due to the evening Bucs game the night before, my "little" cousin Anthony getting two hours of sleep, and Brian barely sleeping, I had to keep them caffinated for this intense event.)

We also enjoyed getting to spend a little extra time with my younger cousin who was off to college the following day. He was way shorter and 10 years old when he was in our wedding. Now he towers over us.

I think our favorite part of the draft was knowing that despite the draft being over at 1:00 p.m., everyone felt so comfortable at our home that some stayed until 4:30 that afternoon.

I want a home that people just feel welcomed to stay for as long as they want... rearranged or not.

Daddy/Daughter Date

Brian has talked about taking Addie on a Daddy/Daughter date for quite some time now. Just him and his little girl.

They have done many things together- run errands, a Busch Gardens trip after I had Ian- but it's never been an official "date."

Two Saturdays ago, Brian planned a day for the two of them to enjoy. It involved running a quick errand, lunch at McDonald's, and a movie (Madagascar 3). He told her the plan on Friday night and she was beside herself.

"And we're gonna go to the movies, and eat popcorn and it's gonna be great!" she told me.

Saturday, she wanted to get dressed early. And she asked all morning long what time they would be leaving.

Ian and I had some mommy/son time, and after he fell asleep, I waited for my two to come home to me.

Then I heard the garage door open, and saw the top of a head with pink bows walk in behind the sofa.

"Mommy, I saved this for you!" and I was handed a kernel of popcorn. She had saved this one, lone, full piece of popcorn and had held on to it the entire ride home. I was also given the bag of itty, bitty popcorn pieces that she had also saved for me.

She told me all about "dinner" and the movie, which parts of the movie she liked and which parts she didn't, and then asked when she and Daddy would be going on another date.

After she went for her nap, Brian recalled for me all of the funny "Addie moments" her could remember, like how when they walked into the theater Addie looked at the seats and said, "I can't sit on these chairs," since they were in their folded positions. Brian lowered one for her, and all she could say was, "That's awesome!"

During the movie she was standing at one point (I guess she had really gotten into it) and was trying to reach back for a handful of popcorn. Brian couldn't help but chuckle as her hand was feeling the air and his knee as it searched for the popcorn bag (she didn't take her eyes off the screen).

That evening, as she was getting ready for bed, Addie asked me, "When will Daddy take me on another date? Will I still be four or do I have to wait until I'm five?"

I think you can expect another one while you are four, Addie Girl.

What I love About......

........US

We fit together so well. Daddy, Mommy, Daughter, and Son. Our personalities blend so well together. Our personalities can be so opposite of each other. But we "get" each other. And we love being together as much as possible.
........US

You and me. We are such a perfect fit for each other Your strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa. Eight years and 2 babies after our wedding day, you still tell me how attracted you are to me. I feel the same way about you. Do remember all those people who told us, "Just wait until....." as if our love for each other was supposed to fizzle out because theirs did? I am more in love with you today than ever. I don't know what they were talking about.

.....ADDIE

Oh, honey! Where do I start! Your smile, love for God, life, us, and your brother cannot be matched. I love how convinced you are that you are going to marry Ian when you are old enough. You don't understand yet, but one day you will. As you explained it to me, you love Ian, and people who love each other get married like me and Daddy and Uncle Jim and Aunt Faye. I love your determination. I love your spirit. I love your zest for life (although, honey, sometimes it zaps the life out of me!). I love that you are a sports fan for Daddy's sake, even though you call the Rays the Bucs, and the Bucs the Rays. You are my favorite little girl in the whole wide world.

.....IAN

Oh, my snuggle bug. Where do I start? Your personality is starting to peek through as your independence grows. You come across as being very serious, but you have a teasing side to you. Last night you were dropping your puffs snack on the floor and laughing about it. (We had to take your puffs away from you) You are the fastest baby that can crawl. Once Daddy and I were sitting with you in the living room. We began talking, looked up and you were already going down the hallway to Sister's room. That is where you would rather be. Wherever she is. You even stand at the bathroom door and pound on it when she is inside. You are signing "more" and "all done" and "Mommy" and you wave "bye-bye." You say "Ma-ma" and "Da-da-da-da-da-da" and "Aaaaaaaa" (Addie) and "buh-buh" as you wave "bye-bye." Your smile is beautiful! In fact, your whole face smiles. I can't wait to see what it will look like when your one little top front tooth comes in all the way. Then you will have a total of 3 teeth! You eat anything and everything! Shepherd's Pie, broccoli casserole, rice and beans, mac and cheese, pasta and sauce, quiche, muffins- you name it! My good eater.

My love for my family grows day by day. As I teach my children, correct behavior, hug them when they wake up, kiss their boo-boos, make their meals, wash their laundry, vacuum under their spots at the dining room table, give them baths, play on the floor, am crawled on like a piece of playground equipment, my love for them deepens. As I plan special times for Brian and me, fix his favorite meals, spend time with him, text him during the day, call him to see how his day is going, listen as he vents about different situations he encounters in his day, encourage him as he works hard for us, my love for him deepens.

And I am rewarded throughout the day with "I love yous" and kisses and hugs and snuggles. What a reward! 

Eight Years Ago........

Our story began much earlier than July 10, 2004. But all of those events, dates, the proposal, the bridal shower, and the rehearsal dinner (below) all brought us to this date.

I am amazed at what 8 years have seen us through.

The wedding, of course.

Living for our first two years in the little house you bought a year before we even started dating.

Our first anniversary and purchasing a piece of property.

Our second anniversary

Buying the house we presently live in.

Finding out that we were expecting our first baby right before our 3rd anniversary.

Sadly, we lost my mother just before Addie was born.

But God turned our sadness into joy with the birth of our Addie girl.

We had anniversaries 4-7 as a family of three.

But we made sure we took time for the two of us.

During those years, we gained a brother.......

Addie asked Jesus to come into her heart......

And we became pregnant with baby number two.

Right now, we are satisfied with being the family of four that we are. We love being us. We love sharing our time with each other and with our children.

Now, here we are at year eight. I love you more than I did when we first got married.

I look forward to seeing what God has planned for us and our little family in the future.

Happy anniversary, Brian......