Grateful

I met Bill in our 5th grade class. I remember him being warm and open-hearted to all the kids and he still is! I felt a warm affection for him as a little girl and later we went to a different middle schools.

I remember Suzanne in elementary school during 5th and 6th grade wearing big furry jackets and her hair was always done "girly girly"and fancy.

In 1987 we reconnected at Great America during our ninth grade graduation and he said hi. I felt butterflies that day and I was hoping he would call. Later that summer he did call and we started talking on the phone just before high school started. On the first day of school of my sophomore year I wore a yellow dress and I was really nervous. I saw Bill at the first day of school rally and I pretended not to see him so that he would come to me and say hi first. Ofcourse, he wooed me with his blue eyed charm and we dated briefly in high school. I remember one phone call..I was sleeping and I woke up to his voice and I felt safe and passion at the same time. This feeling stayed with me for many years and I didn't understand what it meant until now. I love the memory of my 1st kiss with Bill.

I remember meeting up with Suzanne at Great America in 9th grade and succeeding to my friend to take her on a date. I knew in time that that was just going to fizzle out and then I would wait for the next opportunity. I found an attraction and kinship to Suzanne that wasn't with other females. Also, I remember finding her extremely attractive and fun.

Years went by and we stayed good friends. Everytime we connected through the years it always felt like "home'. Nobody has ever been able to make me laugh like Bill and that has been the root of our friendship. We make fun of each other constantly!

So the 90s came and our friendship developed and my love and friendship grew more for Suzanne. Additionally, my respect for her was discovered. I always felt a need for protection and to make sure she was safe. Suzanne and I have similar personalities and are pretty similar. There were times I had to I just had to walk away from her. There was too much to handle in her life. We have always had a kinship and familiarity. I always felt safe with Suzanne and not judged. 

This was a very dark year for me. My marriage ended and my dad was passing away. I felt very alone because I never felt a man love me more than my dad. Bill was also going through a dark time in his life. I never thought I would fall in love in a dark place. However, I believe that Jesus decided to bless us and give us a second chance. I now feel more loved than I could ever imagine because Bill taught me real love that is unconditional. I didn't think I deserved this kind of love but that's when God decides you do ❣️

2014 is when I reached out to Suzanne. I had pretty much burned bridges with friends and family that I love and cherish. I felt like I didn't deserve love and I made sure it was hard to love me. I fought back in unhealthy ways. I wasn't looking for a relationship when Suzanne and I connected. I was destroying relationships at the time and the one thing I knew was when I talked to her on the phone I felt at home. Also, I tried to make sure I was alone and pushed people away. Suzanne became a light and stayed through the thick and thin. I do want it to be said that my family and friends did support me. However, no one can change unless they want to and I was able finally change with Suzanne. We became a engine together to drive out the darkness. I was reminded what I was supposed to do. I tried to push her away but she gave me that light. I am learning not to be so selfish. I was super selfish and destructive and she accepted me. I have been able to watch over her as she has held my hand when I didn't think I deserved it. I have a new perspective and insight. 

Bill and I have been rebuilding our lives and blending our families. It's been much work but more of a reward. I believe that God gives you exceedingly and abundantly above anything you could ask or think. Celebrating our wedding is just a symbol of the gratitude I feel for the lifetime of happiness that we will walk into. When a door is closed a new door always opens and I'm very thankful that I walked into this new life with Bill and our second chance.

The last five years have been been an adventure to say the least, it's also been an experience to see life through different glasses. The empowerment and patience that Suzanne has given me with a stern expectation has given me a different perspective in my life. Our relationship has allowed me to become a better person. I'm learning and doing my best to be a better father and man. I'm grateful for the trust that Suzanne has installed in me where I didn't think I'd deserve due to my past actions. I'm surprised by it and also I cherish it because it's a chance to prove that I'm a better man for it.

We have invited each and everyone of you specifically. We would not be where we're at without the footprints you put in our lives. I believe that God creates a village around us and if we pay attention to each person that he brings in our lives..miracles happen! I'm so grateful and we want to thank you formally for being in our life.