Better Together

When we first made eye contact, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach and, of course, questioned whether or not he was single. Since my Tuesday night softball game was cancelled, I headed out to Flanagan's Pub early. Waiting for the rest of the team to arrive, I noticed this handsome man in the corner wearing an American Budweiser shirt playing pool. We were making eye contact here and there so I took a chance after noticing his beer was becoming empty. God was on my side that night because He gave me the courage to tell a waitress to do something that could ultimately change the rest of the night. Little did I know that this was going to change my life. Once he received his freshly poured ice, cold beer, he walked over (with a smudge of blue chalk on his forehead) introduced himself, thanked me and invited to play pool. I couldn't tell you who won but we talked for hours, not realizing how late it was. We exchanged numbers and parted ways that night. Nick was on my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about him ever since.

From the beginning, I knew I found something special but didn't realize how special. We went on a few dates...walking the dogs, Wekiva Island, working out together, etc. Those dates were how I got to know her but the nights we swung on the hammock by the pond, listening to Cody Johnson, are the dates that I fell in love. On our first month anniversary, I took her out to an incredible restaurant named Luke's Kitchen. Little did I know, this would be the place I would take her back to for one of the biggest moments in our lives. Unfortunately, Hurricane Dorian came through and cancelled my original plans on proposing to Amanda in the Caribbean. I couldn't hold it in any longer and needed to come up with a plan now! I began to think about how our relationship started..Luke's Kitchen and the nights by the pond singing Cody Johnson. I acted fast and tried to be sneaky, I came to Amanda's work with lunch to let her know our plans for when she gets off. Once she got home and ready, I surprised her with flowers and took her to Luke's. When we returned home, I asked if she would like to walk down to the lake and sit on the dock. Smiling ear to ear with a Diamond In My Pocket, I watched her beauty shinned over the water...I had all the confidence in the world.