Life sure has its way of throwing you the unexpected! Who knew that the second half of 2011 would be the most eventful, positive time of my life? That I would meet the love of my life, Ms. Karla Blake…
Pre-First Date
“Who is that girl?”, I would often ask myself. This quiet, beautiful woman who sat in the back. “Karla?” I would notice her every time I went to bible study and even looked forward to seeing her. I never told her of my interests nor did I know if she even had a boyfriend. I guess I never built up the courage. Nevertheless, this was awhile ago. About a year ago actually. We never had much more than passing conversations but I hoped for more…
First Date
The events leading up to this are kind of random to say the least. It all started with Facebook conversations in early June of 2011. I would message her and she would usually take about 3 days to respond to me! OK, I am probably exaggerating a bit, but that is what it felt like. Needless to say, after several conversations I asked if she would just like to hang out. She said yes and the date was set for June 21st! I was so nervous but I managed to make my way through it. I would later find out that she was as nervous or even more so than I! Who would have thought…
Third Date
From there, things begin to feel more natural. We would message each other often and stay up late at night talking about random events even though we both had to wake up early for work. I decided for our third date that I would take her to my favorite restaurant, Elephant Bar. This is where she pretty much laid everything out on the table for me. Told me much of her life story, things she rarely shares with others. She told me it was her way of trying to see if I would stick around. Well, I definitely stuck around. By this point, I really felt that she was just an amazing person and nothing, other than her telling me she was a serial killer, would get me to turn my back.
Time Spent Together
Just because...
Over the next several months, we began to spend a lot of time together. For my birthday, she made it special by treating and taking me out. I never really celebrate my birthday so I appreciated her doing this.
Birthday dinner
The time leading up to us became an actual couple were intense. There were many deep conversations, unsureness, crying and anxious moments. Every moment that we spent with each other, nonetheless, was magical. I had never felt this deeply about someone before in my life. In every relationship prior, I would always see huge bright red flags that I would consciously choose to ignore. With her, I couldn’t find anything no matter how hard I tried.
First date as a couple
I struggled with simply telling her that I loved her because it really had not been that long. But like I mentioned… this was different. Love was the only way that I could express how I felt about her. So one night, I finally just told her. However, I told her that she didn’t need to say anything in response. I just wanted her to know how I felt about her. A couple of nights later, she told me she loved me and that was that… We officially became a couple shortly after on August 15th.
The next few months were even more
Relaxing at the resort
spectacular. I took her to a nice resort for her birthday just so she could have a chance to relax. She works very hard, something that I admire about her, so she deserved every minute of it. It was the least I could do for someone so caring, loving and giving.
Have this picture on my desk at work.
Her birthday dinner. The most gorgeuous girl in the world!
Mr. Wayne Howard…the things you have written leave me simply speechless. I never would have imagined that Bible study (Life Group) would have come to this; and to think, I actually started not to attend (thank goodness my mom encouraged me to go)…boy would I have missed out on a lifetime of happiness and joy! You have brought a renewed freshness into my life and I truly appreciate you for that.
Things definitely seemed to move rather quickly with us and I must admit that it made me VERY nervous lol but I decided to leave it all in God’s hands and truly allow Him to have His way….and Lord knows He has! I appreciate and love the fact that from the very beginning, you made sure that God was the center of this relationship. We have laughed together, had fun together, cried together but what I love the most is that we pray together and for one another.
You have been a gentleman to me from day one…constantly encouraging me to be the best “me” that I can be. In your encouragement however, you’ve never tried to change me…I can truly say that you have accepted me just as I am. I know that no matter what, I can be myself with you and never have to worry about feeling judged because you love me for me: nothing more and nothing less.
You made me the happiest woman in the world the day you asked me to be your wife! I am blessed to be given the opportunity to live the rest of my life with you…something I don’t take lightly. As we enter into our covenant with God, I pray that no matter what each day ahead brings, we always remember who is at the center and allow that to always get us back on track when we seem to veer off to the left or right.
Like you, I really wish that your mother was here to share in this moment with us. I believe that although she is not here in physical form, she is here with us as her spirit has always remained within you. It is in your smile, the way you carry yourself, your laugh, the way you love and the way you treat me. Having never met her, I often think about what she was like and if she would like me lol. I find myself at times praying to God to make her proud of me; praying that I am the daughter-in-law and wife to her son that she’d always dreamed of. Please know that your mother will carry a special place in our home and that she has held a special place in my heart for quite some time now.
Lord knows I could go on forever and a day about you and how much joy you have brought into my life but if I continue on I’m sure you will get tired of reading (if you’re not already) lol!! I love you and I am ready to walk this lifelong journey with you…