Happy Groundhog Day!!

Today, Puxsutawney Phil and Buckeye Chuck said spring is around the corner. I am praying that is true. When our weather is cold, dreary, and nasty, I miss weather in the South.

I do look forward to this time every year. Not for the weather, but it is a reminder of one of the happiest days of my life. Despite what ever the groundhog says, I have a man who loves me and chose me to spend the rest of his life with.

It was quite a memorable day. We had been dating for 7 1/2 months (3 of those months in different states) and had been talking about marriage but nothing serious. We were in love, and I could not imagine my life without him. One day he asked me to go with him back to his hometown to meet someone, but would not tell me who. The morning we were to leave, I got very sick. I was throwing up and there was no signs of stopping. We were to leave early in the morning, but that was not happening. When it looked like I was getting better, he picked me up and took me to his house. I felt so bad, but I knew he was itching to head to Anniston. I had know idea of why though. He kept telling me this person was only going to be in town that day, I had to get better. I finally did, but not feeling great.

We headed out later than planned, but we finally made it there. I was totally clueless. He said he wanted to stop by this church where he use to work, and I thought ok, no big deal. We may or may not have "broke-in" with a key someone had. I don't know the details are fuzzy. We went into the worship center, and he was telling me about the church. It was where he was saved as a teenager, and where he was called into the ministry. The church held a special place in his heart. We were sitting up on the platform, and he told me that in this place it is where he chose his Master, his mission, and now he is choosing his mate. He pulls out the ring, and right there asks me to marry him. I was surprised and excited and said YES!! We prayed right there for God bless our marriage.

This is the funny part, we go to tell his mom, and they were not at home which was surprising. They were actually at a political fundraiser. I think we left them a note. We were able to tell his grandmother, and a good friend of his. I told my mom when I got home. On the way back to Mississippi, we picked our wedding date.

The day before this, mom took me to look at wedding dresses. Her idea, not mine of which Noel doesn't believe till this day. I did find a dress that I would get if he ever asked. He did and I went back and ordered it. When I was looking at dresses, he was actually across the street picking up my engagement ring. We had no idea.

Oh, and the person I met - my fiancé. Sixteen years later, I would still say YES!!