Let’s celebrate!

I was a 12 year old, awkward middle schooler. When my 7th grade year started, I immediately noticed the new kid. His smile and presence stood out to me right away. Im not sure how, but we became close friends quickly. Alex would call me almost every day after school on our landline phone and ask permission to talk to me. I remember being teased by my brother and questioned by my parents about who this “Alex” boy was to me. Of course I would say he was just my friend, which he was, but I never dared to admit that I had the biggest crush on him. Unfortunately we lost touch after going to different high schools. Fast forward to my junior year in college. I came home from Gainesville one weekend to see my parents. My mum and I were grocery shopping when I accidentally bumped into someone. When I turned around to apologize, it was Alexander Leclerc! I could not believe it! We exchanged phone numbers and slowly caught up on the years we had missed out on. During that time, Alex left for basic training for the Army. Our texts turned into hand written letters. Checking the mailbox was my new favorite activity. When he completed basic training, he was stationed in North Carolina. I was so thankful to be able to text him and hear his voice again. We were still “just friends” trying to accept the fact that we lived over 500 miles apart. In October of 2014, Alex got his first opportunity to take leave from the Army to visit family and friends in Fort Myers. He asked me if I wanted him to visit me in Gainesville. I couldn’t say yes fast enough, but obviously had to play it cool. I will never forget the feeling of anxiously waiting for him to arrive. What was supposed to be a 2 day visit turned into a 4 day visit. It was so difficult to say goodbye. We both knew that “just friends” was no longer an option for us. I might not have known much at 12 years old, but I knew that boy was special and I knew he was in my life for a reason. Now I get to call this amazing man my husband!

In the fall of 2005, I started a new life in Southwest Florida after moving from Connecticut. I immediately thought to myself that life in Florida sucked and that nothing could compare to the North...my home. After settling in at my new school, Gateway Charter, I met who I thought was the most beautiful and most eloquent person in the world...Brittnie. There was something about the way she talked, walked, and held herself that set her apart from the rest. Her heart was so beautiful. I never thought I would stand a chance with her but I never gave up. This was the beginning of a series of events that would lead us to where we are now. We were the best of friends throughout 7th and 8th grade, spending hours talking on the phone. Then unfortunately we lost contact during our high school years. Finally, we bumped into each other after too many years apart. After catching up I knew I could not lose her again. I went away to the military and after a year of hard training, my heart was yearning to see her in person again. When we did, the rest was history. Brittnie is even more beautiful and more eloquent than before. Her kind heart continues to compliment everything she does, putting everyone's needs before her own. I am blessed to call this beautiful lady my wife. My heart is yours, always.