Little did I know at the time, my need for deodorant sent me to Walmart and that trip ended up being the most important day of my life. The reason this trip became so important is because I ended up running into my soulmate (which I did not know at the time) and my future wife, Melissa.
I have known Melissa since we were children. We went to Jr High and High school together but not one time did I ever ask the most beautiful girl in school out on a date. She was dating a friend of mine at the time and I figured she wouldnt have anything to do with me anyways. I have always thought Melissa was one of the most beautiful women that I have ever met in my life. Her smile, her beauty, her great attitude and personality were second to none. There is no way that I would have known this beautiful blond bomb shell would end up being the woman of my dreams and my forever.
In the several years that we have been together, lived together and been engaged, we have never been in a fight or argument. I know some people would not believe this but it is true. She is my best friend, she is my happy place, she is the person that takes care of me and loves me, supports me and treats me like a king. How could I ever want to argue, be mad or fight with that.
Two and a half years ago we got engaged at Laura Phelps Women's Pro/Am powerlifting meet. I informed Laura a few weeks in advance what my intentions we going to be and if it was OK. I asked Laura if we could wait until the end of the trophy presentation so we would not take away from everyone's achievements that were being made and Laura responded with an astounding yes and that she was very happy for us.
At the end of the meet during the trophy presentation after everyones name was called who had won a trophy Melissa looked over at me and said why has my name not been called yet (Melissa had finished first place in her weight class and division at this meet). My response was well I dont know maybe she forgot about you. Laura finally called Melissas name for her first place finish trophy and as she walked up to recieve it I slowly walked up behind her taking the microphone and taking a knee waiting to ask the big question. Laura put Melissas medal around her neck and turned her around and she said me kneeling there waiting for her. Thats when I pulled out the ring and she was coming forward and realized what was happening. My hands were sweating as I was holding the microphone, I spoke into it and told Melissa that our someday was today and asked her to marry me. Lucky for me she said yes.
Fast forward to now. We planned this wedding earlier this year. We wanted something sweet, simple and beautiful with only our close friends and family in attendance. The location of the wedding was at the Historic Carson House here in the town that we live in. This house is actually the oldest house in the state of North Carolina. We set the date, announced the location, made our our invitations list and actiously counted down the weeks until our big day.
Our wedding party was small but exactly how we wanted in it. Melissa's best friend and my childhood best friend since we were eleven Shelley Yates was Melissa's made of honor and my daughter Katelyn was the only bridesmaid. For my best man, my very good friend and a man that is like a brother to me Travis Rinnert was my best man, and my only groomsman was a young man that we look at like a son Sammy Santes. Actually Sammy actually ended up having a dual role in the wedding (Melissas father passed away a couple of years ago) so she asked Sammy to give her away. Without hesitation he was honored and privilege to do so. Shelley's youngest son Cross was out ring-bearer and red neck Tim's daughter Jayden was our flower girl . Our wedding attendants of invited guests hit around 130 total people attending the wedding, representing six different states, Chicago, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and of course North Carolina were all represented by our guests and attendants.
The day was perfect. No rain, sunny skies but it was a little humid. Our girls from the gym did a perfect job decorating and having the wedding location looking like something out of a fairy tale. I cannot thank all the individuals enough that were involved in helping our perfect day become a reality. There are so many people and so many names to list that I am afraid if I try to name everyone that I will forget somebody but I want to thank each of you again from the bottom of our hearts for all the hard work you put into our perfect day.
I just want to say this in closing there are many people in this world that make choices that they think they should make because its the right thing to do or they are too afraid to make the decisions that they really want because they are too afraid of the uncertainty. There are also people in this world that are terrified to go after what they really want either because they are afraid they wont get it or they don't have enough confidence that they will. I used to be one of those people but in the past nine years I have had to make some tough decisions in my life. Decisions that have cost me more than just money or personal effects. Decisions that have cost me things that I will never get back in life, but these same tough decisions have also put me on track to be with the woman of my dreams, to be happier than I have ever been in my life and to know what actual true love really is. Our life is not perfect but it is pretty damn close and sometimes you have to loose things to gain the most important things in life.
Don't live you life for other peoples happiness, live it for yours. Life is too short. Remember, be happy my friends....
