Wishes Come True

Four years ago all of my wishes came true! I married a man that I never thought existed but always dreamed about! God had a plan for us from the very beginning and I am so thankful that He knows what we need when we need it!

Mike and I knew each other since we were 13. Our youth groups were 2 hours apart but we got together frequently for lock-ins and National Conference. I always liked Mike as a friend. He was hilarious and fun to be around. He, on the other hand, told his mom after he first met me that he was going to marry me. He even carved my initials in his bedside table. We still have that table and you can still see my initials! (they were crossed out and replaced several times!!!)

We lost touch when we were 18 and went our separate ways. He went to college and then Africa for 3 months. I started my hair career and had a baby girl. (I will write a Leah post closer to her Birthday. She saved my life!!) We met up again in the fall of 2003. Mike had been coming to our Church for a job on our new building and driving up for young adult get- togethers. We started catching up and strange feelings started developing. I am sure that this was the first time that I had truly fallen in love. We started dating in January of 04. (Leah was 17mos. old) He knew going in that with Leah, I took dating seriously and cautiously. Things progressed quickly because we were 2 hours apart and talked on the phone for hours a day.

Mike realized that saying "I love you" meant that he was all in forever. He knew that he had to be sure before making a commitment and hurting BOTH of us. Leah was 17 months old at the time and I saw the bond developing. They fell in love early on! He told me he loved me memorial day and bought the ring a month later. He proposed while on family vacation in Sunset Beach, NC. It was amazing the way he (and my family and friends) had planned everything out!

We got married 8 months later! It was a gorgeous 65 degree day! We had 400 guests and a beautiful ceremony. We honeymooned in St. Petersburg, Fl. Three months later we found out we were pregnant! Derek was born in March. In June Mike adopted Leah (we legally had to wait a set time for this and that). Her "dad" had never been involved (his choice) so it was very easy and beautiful!

If you have made it this far, Yay for you!

Mike is my world. He was always meant to be Leah's daddy, always meant to be my husband and always meant to be the father of our little boy. He takes all of those things very seriously and I have never seen any man do the job better than him. I love you baby! Happy Anniversary! It just keeps getting better!!

Our pastor had to pull out a step stool for this! I'm 5'1. Mike is 6'8"!!!