Tell us your love story for a chance to win a free wedding package.
We have been wanting to do this for a long time but been too busy to work out the details. Now, However, we are ready!
So, what do you do???
It's easy; and you can do it two ways. 1.) leave a comment on this blog with the story of how you two met, fell in love, got engaged and what you are planning for your wedding. 2.) You can send us an email with the same information!
What will happen???
Desiree and I, some friends and family members, a few strangers we meet, our next door neighbors, the cool ones not the crazy lady will review all of the stories and choose the coolest, most touching, or inspirational story. The couple who belongs to that story will receive a photo coverage package ($2000.00 value) from Jones Photo Art.
What else?
Don't lie! you don't have to make up a really cool story. Just be honest and true to your story!
Finally!
On Valentine's Day we will be posting the winning story, right here on our super fantastic blog!!
If we can't decide on a clear winner we will post those who tie and let you all decide!
We will be moderating all the stories and posting those that we think you all should read! (not all will be posted in the comments)
Click the comments link below or THIS LINK to leave your story
10 comments:
We will post some of our stories in contention closer to the end of January!
Keep checking back to see if your story is up!
Growing up, I was never the kind of girly girl that spent all my time daydreaming about my perfect husband or my perfect wedding. But then I met my now fiance, Nathan, and everything changed. I was suddenly thrown into one of those fairytale romances that you read about in children's stories and see in the movies. We met each other the first time in March 2005 over dinner and drinks with his sister, Cristina, with whom I was already friends from work. When I was introduced, I couldn't help thinking what a funny, charismatic, charming person he was. And to top it all off, he was as computer nerdy as I am!! I studied Computer Science in college and work on computer software development now in my job. During my time at school, it was extremely rare to find any socially adept engineers in my classes, and here I happen to meet someone so bright, amazing, and handsome right in Albuquerque with a background in computers to boot! At the time, we were both in a place where we weren't looking for a relationship, so nothing came of our chance meeting. I eventually lost touch with his sister for a year, and I was bummed that I wouldn't have the chance to hang out with this awesome guy and get to know him better.
In a great turn of fate, I reconnected with them all around October 2007. It turned out that he had purchased a house in the same neighborhood as mine and was throwing a Halloween party there. Decked out in my devil costume, I went to the party with a friend of mine looking to catch up with Cristina, since I hadn't spoken with her in over a year. I didn't have any expectations in terms of meeting her brother again; I figured he would only vaguely remember me, if at all, since we were introduced so long ago. When I walked through his door and Cristina reintroduced us, I remember looking into his eyes somewhat mesmerized. I remember the smirk he had on his face and the crazy grin I must have been sporting on mine as we shook hands. We both instantly remembered one another and it felt like no time had passed between our exchanges. I might have been imagining things in all my giddiness, but it felt like every time my friend would direct a question to Nathan, he would look straight at me with that smile of his and answer the question as if I was the only girl in the room. I was feeling particularly ballsy and flirtatious that night, as I was giving him a hard time about silly things, trying to act playful and cute, and being overly cocky while playing a one-on-one game of Wii Tennis. I guess he just brought out the best in me that night, since I'm normally more shy and reserved when I don't know someone that well. Long after the party was done, I remember staying up with my friend talking about him into the wee hours of the night. We talked about how great Nathan and I would get along, how much we had in common, and how in the world I could finagle my way into seeing him again as soon as possible.
In a slew of parties, group dinners, and random get togethers, we got to know each other a bit better, and my interest in him kept growing. In computer nerd fashion, we began chatting online, exchanging hundreds of lines of conversation each day for about 2 months. After visiting my family for 10 days in California during the holidays (the longest 10 days ever, I might add), I flew back to Albuquerque before the New Year. Nathan was waiting for me at the terminal when I got off the plane, a romantic gesture that was a first for me. At that point, comfortable and at home in his embrace, I knew that the two of us would end up together and that it would be something great and long lasting. Cut to a year later and we're just as much in love now as we were then. In honor of that fateful night we met again, Nathan proposed on Halloween. We took a short hike up a little peak in the foothills and stared across the expanse of Albuquerque. Completely alone and admiring the great view, Nathan got down on one knee and proposed.
Our plan is to get married in Albuquerque at the end of April. It's where we met, it's where Nathan was born and has grown up to be an amazing man, it's where we got engaged, it's where I've called home for the past 3½ years, and above all, it's where we dream of getting married. Who knew that little girl that didn't really put much thought into her fantasy wedding as a child would all of a sudden meet her prince charming? Now all we can think about is figuring out the best way to put on the wedding of our dreams for all of our friends and family so they can witness and celebrate all the love and happiness that Nathan and I share.
Mike and Amanda,
It all started with April West. Mike had known April for a few years, they had worked together and had become friends. As it turns out, April and I were now working together, and getting to know some of each other.
One afternoon in early July '07 April came up to me and asked me what I thought of Marines. I was a little confused about why she would be asking a question like this so, I told her "They're Marines!" She told me she had a friend she thought I might like... but when I didn't have a really strong reaction she let it go for a few days. I was not crazy about the idea of being set up... You never know what you will get that way.
Well, I kept thinking about it for a few days and decided I really had nothing to lose by going on one date, or at least talking to this "Marine". I told April to go ahead and give him my number. She showed me a picture on her phone of Mike, he looked pretty cute with his beanie on and I told her I would take a chance.
She had been working on Mike at the same time as well. But to my suprise she had offered Mike two options of girls. One would be a fling, and the other a relationship. He chose the relationship, which turned out to be me!
After I told April to go ahead and give Mike my number it took only a few hours for him to introduce himself to me.. over a text while he was at work. Rule breaker!
April actually ended up arranging our first date, neither of us were really sure why, but she was excited about the possibility of us becoming a couple. It was set on July 22, 2007! This happened to be the same day as the motorcycle rally riding to Grants. Mike is an avid motorcyclist so of course he had to go! He had to leave all his buddies early and ride back in the pouring rain to make it for our date. Once he got back to town he called and told me he might be a little late because he had to shower since he was soaking wet from riding in the rain.
That brings us to when he picked me up. He was driving a beat up Dodge pick up.. I happen to love beat up trucks for some reason.. He came to the door and when I opened it I had an "Oh wow" reaction, he had the most beautiful eyes. Mike says he had the same sort of reaction of me. We went out and had a really great time, and have been together almost everyday since. We are now happily engaged to be married.
~*Joanne and Justin*~
We met back in 2000 when we were seniors in High School taking English class together. Practically, the whole year I didn't even realize Justin was in my class mainly because the way the room was set up and we were in opposite ends of the room! So, lo and behold, our teacher wanted to rearrange the room mid-year and we ended up in the same row! LOL! After that Justin began to flirt with me but I wasn't interested. I was still having fun after breaking up with an ex and I thought Justin was part of the in crowd who loved to party and drink. I was active in the church so I didn't want another bad boy. Turned out Justin began to attend our church and that's when I saw his true colors. He was kind and in love with God too! So, I started to fall for him and sure enough we began to date in May 2001 after he asked for my dad’s permission! We graduated the next month and had a GREAT summer together, spending every day together. In the fall of that year, Justin moved to NC while I had dreams of becoming a fashion designer in San Francisco. My dreams changed and I returned to Florida and attended FSU. We were apart for one year when we both moved back to West Palm Beach and attended a community college for another 1 1/2 years. I had plans on returning to FSU and Justin had plans on pursuing his racing dreams. He moved back to NC and I returned to FSU in the fall of 2004. The next two years were VERY hard!! We saw each other only a few times a year and had to keep our relationship going with cards, gifts through mail, emails, phone convos, and those rare 1-2 day visits. I think I exhausted my tear bank during those years. Finally, I knew he was the one but in order to move forward someone had to move and since I was becoming a speech therapist I could attend grad school anywhere. I chose to move to Greensboro, NC and Justin was in Charlotte, NC attending UNCC. So now we were only an hour away and could see each other on weekends! After graduating I moved to Mooresville, NC and now we were only 1/2 an hour away from each other. This past Christmas we went home like we always do and he proposed on the 23rd at our special spot in Palm Beach: Bethesda-by-the-Sea church! I was blown away with the shock and excitement as he bent down on one knee and said, "Joanne, you are the love of my life, I want you to be my wife, will you marry me?" I said, "Yes, yes, yes!" He planned a surprise engagement party afterward at my aunt and uncle’s condo on the beach (which is another place I love) and my parents, my brother, his girlfriend, and my aunt and uncle were all there! They had a cake, dinner, and champagne ready for us! It was so special to share the news with my family. So, now we’re back in NC and trying to decide if we’ll marry at the church where he proposed in March 2010 or have it sooner in Jan. 2010. Our wedding will have to take place during a school break for Justin because he is still attending UNCC. Either way, we definitely want to have it at home in south Florida. Thanks for letting us share our story!!
I don't think I have ever told you how much I love this picture if it were mine I would have a BIG canvas made and have it hanging with my art. I really love it! Rori
We have narrowed the selections down to four stories that I will try to post today!
Our Story...Shana and Brandon
The start…
Where to begin…we met online. I know, I know, numerous times we have tried to come up with a much more touching first encounter. Like “I tripped in the street, and Brandon was there to sweep me off my feet and save my life.” Nope..online. On Match.com. Now that you know that, we can get to the good stuff. I am in my thirties and have never been married. I am a hopeless romantic, and always knew that I would find the man of my dreams. But once I turned thirty and there was no “man of my dreams” in sight, I started to rethink my fairy tale. Turns out this was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. Never in a million years would I have thought that my other half, would be who he is. Brandon is amazing. He is a dad to two little boys. (7 and 9 years old) He is creative, emotional, spontaneous, a bit edgy, and the funniest man that I know. I am fairly conservative, plan for everything, not at all edgy, and I have a very strong passion for riding and competing with horses. We feel so strongly that we re each others perfect match.
The meet…
We met at a wine bar downtown and proceeded to interview each other…What is the meaning of life? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What makes a successful relationship? Etc……. He walked me to my car, and I stuck my hand out, said “nice to meet ya”, and hopped into the car. No kiss. I honestly had never done the first date/interview before and needed to process everything. He emailed me and asked if our date was the best date ever, or the worst…..he couldn’t tell. So our second date was more traditional…dinner, movie, kiss. At the end of the evening he leaned in to kiss me and said, “when can I see you again?”, I said “when do you want to?”, and his response was “is tomorrow to soon.” That was it… we have been by each others side ever since. We have painted large canvas on dates (neither of us have an artistic bone in our body)…raced go carts with his sons. Gone to NY for my business, taken a trip to Mexico, where we experienced getting really sick together. He is the love of my life. He is my best friend. He is grounded, funny, really handsome, and the most different wonderful balance to my life. I am truly blessed.
The ring…
So we both wanted something that was a bit different and special to us. I stumbled across a vintage 1920’s ring online that I fell absolutely in love with. Brandon, had the exact ring replicated for me. For me this ring is a symbol of us. Unexpected, a little different, and absolutely perfect for each other.
Shana sent me her story to look it over and see what I thought before she submitted it. Well, I think the story of us is good but I wanted to add to it a little…
Before Shana and I started dating I was living as a single dad and had no intention of getting married again. I was jaded and bitter towards the thought of such a thing. I could not imagine ever meeting someone that I would completely trust and love.
After casually dating for a couple of years, I decided that I would check out match.com just to see what it was about. I setup my account and uploaded some pictures. Beyond that I didn't invest much time in it. One evening I got an email stating that someone sent me a message on match.com. I logged in and saw a message that said I seemed interesting and a little joke about one of my pictures. Well, the "cowgirl" that sent the message didn't have any pictures up and had a lot of mention of horses. I decided that it probably wasn't going to work since "cowgirls" to me were rugged simple girls that are exactly the opposite of what I would want to date. So I dismissed the email entirely.
A couple of months later I decided that I would look back into match.com since the "traditional" dating methods weren't leading to anything worthwhile. So I logged back in and remembered the email from the cowgirl. Just to humor myself I sent her a message asking if she was still around. To my surprise she replied and we corresponded with multiple funny and interesting emails to one another. So finally, I asked her if she'd like to meet and if she would send me a picture. She did and oh my god, she was strikingly beautiful! I was excited.
After a brief stint of awkward dating (things like me completely smoking out my house while trying to cook her salmon, going to a 3 hour movie and not touching her hand even once, etc...) I told her that I didn't want to date anyone else. Her response was mutual and this was the beginning of our story.
Not only is Shana an amazing and perfect fiancée she is also amazing with my two young boys. She has taken on a new relationship with me and she has also taken on a new relationship with my children. My boys love her as much as I do and I feel so fortunate to have someone so wonderful, so beautiful, and so accepting in our lives.
It's interesting to think back to the original match.com email and realize just how easy she could have slipped by and I would have never met my soul mate. Shana is one of the most beautiful, pure hearted, dedicated, strong, and honest women I have ever met. Amen for cowgirls!
-Brandon Showers
Check the latest Love stories post for more info on our love stories contest!
antonio and mimi, your story is wonderful and my all-time favorite! audrey (audrey_seetho@ksg05.harvard.edu)
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