Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After

Don and I met years ago through my older sister. To be honest, I don't remember much about him from that time and life ended up taking us both down different paths. We fell in love with other people, and when those relationships ended they left us each with our own baggage. I still remember the moment I saw Don not just as my sister's friend, but saw HIM. Vulnerable, kind, caring, and real. Neither of us entertained the thought, as I was in a relationship at the time, and he respected my relationship status. However, as he pursued a female interest, I occasionally lent an ear or offered some female advice. I would say that our friendship really began there. Fast forward a couple months after my relationship ended... Everything changed as we allowed ourselves to really get to know each other. Days turned into weeks, and the first date request came. Boy, was I nervous. My last relationship left me broken and untrusting, but I wanted so badly to give him a chance. I asked my sister for her blessing, and her response was that he was "the best guy she knew." Our first date started out with dinner and conversation, then we did something that was outside both of our comfort zones by taking dance lessons from a friend of mine. We were able to laugh at ourselves, and each other. He was easy to be around. We agreed to date without involving my daughters early on, but when we did cross that bridge my heart melted at how good he was with them. He had his own fur babies and it was great fun spending time together. We got into a routine of weekly date nights, experiencing new things together, and just making the most out of life. A few months into our relationship, sitting in church, we agreed that even though our relationship was still fairly new, neither of us saw quitting as an option. We were willing to fight for each other and the future we wanted. And now here we are, almost 3 years later. It hasn't always been easy, but every day it's worth it.

I'm going to start this out and remind most of you that I do not talk or write too many things out, but this is the story of how Mandi and I found each other according to me. Haha I met Mandi a few years ago while hanging out with Jenni (Mandi's sister). Mandi's laugh, her eyes, and her smile were contagious and beautiful. The time was not right to ask for anything more than friendship, as she was seeing another guy at the time. Fast forward eight years or so, to after losing Ronni. Mandi was there, offering any help that she could. Then one night Jenni asked me to come hang out at Lucky's bar downtown for her birthday. I showed up for this birthday party after hanging out with my family. I bought all the girls that attended the birthday party food to eat from a little taco truck. We all went by my car to chat, eat the food, and wait for a taxi for all of them. Mandi was cold, so I offered her a seat in the passenger side of the BRZ to keep her warm. She wasn't aware how low the car was and misjudged where she was sitting, thus throwing nachos down the side of Zelda (the BRZ). Her face was priceless and she was so upset, it was so cute from my point of view. From that point on we kept in touch more so than ever. Then on Valentine's day I texted her to wish her a happy Valentine's day. I asked where her boyfriend was taking her, and she replied with, "Nowhere, we broke up." I was surprised to hear that, but then asked if she would like to do something with me sometime. I had no clue what I was going to do but I at least wanted to see what would happen from this. Our first date was dinner and dancing at Nashville North. I can't dance as most of you know LOL. But Mandi has and will continue to bring so much joy and happiness into my life. I know both of our lives were not how we envisioned them on our own, but as a couple I know from our wedding day forward we will do it as a team and live each day knowing we have someone to have and hold for the rest of our days.