Our Love

This is our love story. I'm forewarning you, It's a bit long...

I met and fell in love with this incredible man on September 27, 2006. That's right, met and fell in love. From the moment I met him, I knew he was different. I could tell he wasn't that typical college guy with a one track mind or looking for instant gratification. I could tell he was sincere. Genuine. Trustworthy. And SEXY! Needless to say, I knew I had found the man I had always hoped for.

We met through a mutual friend (who is still very much a part of our lives) when I attended Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana. I first laid eyes on him at a concert I went to with said mutual friend. I didn't know much about the band but hey, it was something to do. We were standing near the stage (it wasn't a very big show, there was lots of open space on the floor) when this guy and what looked like his date came up behind us. Our mutual friend smiled and hugged this guy and they continued to chat. I remember just glancing back at him. I wasn't introduced to him because as I mentioned I thought he was on a date. After he left, I told our friend that I thought he was cute. I was glad I said it out loud, because I usually wouldn't have looked twice at a guy with a lip piercing, tattoos, and gauged ears... but there was just something about him.

A couple days went by after the concert and my friend said that she had talked to that guy via AIM or Myspace (remember those days?!) and come to find out he wasn't dating that girl he was with. Our friend told this guy that I thought he was cute and that he had looked at my Myspace and thought I was cute too! So this guy and I started to chat online for a couple days. He seemed so sweet and like he genuinely wanted to get to know who I was. So on September 27, 2006 this sweet, handsome guy came down to Franklin, IN. At first it was our mutual friend, another friend, he and I. We all just talked and hung out for a bit. Then those 2 friends had plans they had to attend to. So it was just me and this guy named Craig. It was a bit awkward at first but once we started talking one-on-one we both become more comfortable. We walked around campus more and eventually ventured into this little guitar shop in town. He played the guitar for me which made me find him even more attractive. I then told him that I played guitar too, I can't remember if I played there as well. Then we got in his car and went to get some ice cream. When we got there he asked me what I was going to get, so I told him. He tricked me because he then ordered for me and paid for my ice cream. "Ohhh, so this is a date now..." I thought, which was perfectly fine with me. We later met up with those 2 friends again. We all drove to downtown Indianapolis and walked by the canal. Craig and I kept walking behind our friends and simply enjoyed getting to know each other better. At one point we walked over this little bridge. I have a weird fear of bridges and this one was no exception. It was tiny and the water was really close to the bottom of it. I mentioned this to Craig and he put out his hand and we walked across this little bridge hand in hand. We held hands all the way back to the car. After we all had dinner we traveled back to Franklin. I knew from the beginning that Craig would probably stay with either me or our mutual friend because he lived an hour away. We both had extra blankets and pillows for him to use. But, after we got back to the dorms Craig and I sat outside talking even more. I offered for him to stay with me... in my bed. Mind out of the gutter, people... remember how I mentioned he was genuine and trustworthy? I don't think either of us got much sleep. We just laid there and talked. And somewhere around 1:30 AM he asked me to be his girlfriend. I of course said yes!

We dated for 2 1/2 years. Like every couple we had our ups and downs. We were also 18 when we met. We fell for each other so quickly and so intensely that it inevitably led to us having to step back and figure out who we were as individuals before one of us sabotaged our relationship. It's hard for me to think about the times we "broke up" or were "on a break" but I can look back now and realize that for us, we had to go through those times. Like I said, we both had to really figure out who we were. Eventually we both did and we starting repairing and nurturing our relationship. Our love for each other had never went away. It was as strong as it was the day we met. In May of 2008 me and a couple friends attended a show where Craig was the lead singer. First of all it was amazing seeing him up on stage, leading this band and testifying God's Word. For him, touring with this band (a Christian hardcore band) really helped him to find out who he was as a person and in Christ. Before they played their last song, Craig started talking to the crowd and then looked right at me. (sidenote: we had been "on a break" while he had been on tour but we talked/texted everyday) He introduced me to the crowd and then asked me to be his girlfriend. With tears in my eyes, I said yes! And I'm happy to say that was the last time he ever asked that...

Five months later, on October 10, 2008 while site seeing in Chicago and on top of the Sears Tower, he got down on one knee and asked for my hand in marriage! And of course said YES!

(This was taken right before he proposed. It's actually a still from my Flip camera, hence why neither of us are actually looking at the camera.)

On April 17, 2009 we became Mr. and Mrs. in a beautiful, intimate ceremony with only our closest friends and family... It was the best day of my life. Here are some pics from our special day...

This is our "mutual friend" I kept referring to. Meet the matchmaker, Miss Sara!

 

We have now been married for 2 and 1/2 years. It has been wonderful! I honestly can say that I don't know how I could live without him. He's everything to me. I thank God everyday that He put him in my life. He's a great husband and would do anything to support his family and I love that about him. On February 2, 2011 we found out that our love had created a miracle. Our sweet baby girl was born on her due date, October 14, 2011. She is our pride and joy and Craig is an amazing father, just like I knew he would be.

So that is our love story. I told you it was long... I could have made it a lot longer but if you can believe it, this is the condensed version. To sum it all up, I am BLESSED. ♥

-THE END