The history between Channing and I is longer than I’m sure anyone wants to hear about. But long story short, we have known each other since around 2007. We met while he was working on patrol and I was partying at everyone’s favorite watering hole - The Lodge. His serious nature kind of intimidated me and I wasn’t quite sure how to take him. I got to know him better and realized he’s not so scary! Anyway, we shared some mutual friends and talked off and on through the years. Until we didn’t...
Late 2014 we reconnected and we have talked pretty much non-stop ever since. We eventually found our way into a very close friendship and connected on a level I cannot even explain. Not a day went by that we didn’t talk or text. We became the best of friends and were inseparable. We were there for each other and supported one another in every avenue in life. We would go on “dates” and I was planning a family vacation. I eventually convinced him to go with us! After that first trip to Gulf Shores, AL in the Spring of 2018, we ultimately planned a second trip to head back on my 40th birthday in October. This time with no kids. That’s where it finally happened. “Someone” realized what he had right in front of him this whole time!! We became an official couple there in Gulf Shores. He was the BEST birthday present I could ask for. Those fairytales I read about as a little girl really do come true!!
In April of 2019, we headed back to the beach for a family vacation. Since becoming a couple, we had talked about marriage and knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, but there was nothing official. We planned to take family pictures while at the beach. Channing saw opportunity and utilized that specific time to make it official. Leading up to that moment, he was so paranoid and was acting quite unusual. Us gals thought he was up to something. So April 20th, that evening, the weather and setting was perfect. We all got dressed for pictures and headed to the beach. When it was time for he and I to take “just us” pictures, that’s when he made it happen....there I stood, him on one knee, exactly 6 months later, at that same beach, he proposed! I said HELL YES! I couldn’t be happier!! And now I get to marry the true love of my life, my best friend, my soul mate!!
Well..... on kind of a whim, on Thursday, October 10, 2019, we snuck off and said our vows at Rotary Park. Our friends Theo and Brianne Rooding joined us to witness the moment as our friend Garland Johnson heped make it official. Channing’s partner, Dennis Honholt, came along too. Exactly 365 days until our big day, I officially became Mrs. Bartel. Life is too short to wait! You never know what tomorrow will bring and I was ready to be his wife! And now, exactly 1 year later, we will renew our vows in front of our family and friends in a formal ceremony! ❤️