A Cop, A Nurse, 3 Dogs, and Maybe Baby?: Fashion Show

Having become familiar with various blogs I decided to join in the 2nd Annual Fashion Show. I'm hoping I post a picture... of my engagement ring, however that will occur later on.

As most know Mr. P and I met originally when we were 16... he remembers me, I don't remember him. However there are pictures to say that we did indeed meet. A mutual friend reintroduced us in March/April of 2003 and it was wham hit you up side the head instant connection. So much so that I almost caved and said "I love you." First... which is something I've NEVER ever even considered doing.

Fast forward to November of 2003 and you have my mom giving my then boyfriend the ring... It was my grandmother's and I absolutely adore it in it's simplicity and the fact that it fit me. So I knew eventually Mr. P would get around to asking... I thought for sure Christmas... nope... New Years? Nope... an aunt's funeral... NOPE! By this time I'm pretty frustrated, have already bought a dress on ebay and sold that dress and bought another dress... I have told my father that darnit when is he going to propose. I've proposed in the shower with him responding back with... "You need to ask my parents for permission." My response "The cat said it was okay - she'd like me to be her new step mommy..." I've snooped through emails in the hopes of finding out how and when and all that jazz... and nothing. The man has become like Fort Knox... he's not saying when and just that "It's his job" to propose...

So... by this time it's February 8 and we're celebrating Valentine's day early. I'm exhausted and truthfully could care less about what we're supposed to be doing. We take a shower... and I'm farting around in the shower... by the way I've slept the whole day away and truthfully did not want to get out of bed. Mr. P has been courteous and allowed me to sleep keeping kitty and Chance out of the room. Well I finally get out of the shower and Mr. P has apparently been busy to the point that the lights are off, candles are lit, and there's a gift waiting for me on the bed. (I had given Mr. P his V day card earlier in the day). It's a treasure chest. So I open the treasure chest and there's a message in a bottle... and it says "Now the time is right. Will you marry me?" I started laughing... and said "It's about time, you big dummy." and gave him a big ole kiss... he got the ring out and got down on one knee and asked again. We chose a date of September 18, 2005 and on our way to Port Huron, MI to celebrate we called and let our parents know the news. My father was ecstatic. He started planning things right away and had a good majority of the arrangments made by the time he passed away suddenly in March. He knew for 1 month and a few days that his daughter was marrying the man of her dreams.

WEDDING DAY - SEPTEMBER 18, 2004

Found Mr. P and I getting ready at my mom's house. We didn't do the usual of staying away from one another... at that point in our relationship we were pretty much in each other's pockets - we still are. We did the majority of the work for our wedding - decorations, invitations, set up and take down, etc. So our wedding day dawned with the two of us going to the reception hall and making sure everything was set up and the caterer was in and the cake was beautiful. That afternoon found Mr. P with his 2 best women at Dairy Queen having his bachelor party and downing some ice cream to get him through the event. It found me trying to keep my mom from losing it that my father wouldn't be at my wedding...

We arrive at the church... about 15 minutes before we're supposed to be there... and my veil breaks... my niece doesn't want to get in her flower girl dress because "IT'S ITCHY" My best friend sews my veil to my head piece and the minister wants to say a prayer and stay on time while meltdown is occurring in the bride's room... apparently he couldn't hear my 4 year old niece throwing her fit. After telling him to give us a few more minutes and his response of I'll give you 3... I almost walked out of the church. If there would have been another minister in the church I would have. I was so upset that I couldn't get 5 seconds to take a breath... but all was a blur after the prayer, and the music, and having my uncle walk me down the aisle to marry my husband, and the minister making jokes about the fact that I'm not always the easiest to deal with... and am independent and stubborn...

My wedding ring is custom made to match my engagement ring. It was also made from the diamonds in my dad's wedding ring. We love the two together... so yes we are sentimental saps... but that's okay I can always look at my rings and feel my grandma and my dad... and my husband because that's what's wrapped up in them.

It wasn't how I always dreamed it would be... I wasn't a size 6, my dad didn't walk me down the aisle, and I didn't have a laid back minister... but it was my wedding and I'd do it all over again to marry my wonderful husband... in a heart beat. This man loves me unconditionally as I love him, he brings out the best that is in me and he understands me like no other has... and he loves my parents - even though my dad is no longer with us he speaks of him frequently and he takes care of my mom... he's my other half and I am so happy that I found him...

There are no regrets, just wishes of how it could have been if only - we would have met and fell in love at 16 rather than at 25...