Our Love Story - Pt 2

Yesterday I began telling about mine and Drew's love story (pt 1) where I left off with the first date that Drew and I had -Lunch. The next night we went out again, this time my friend Casey came too. See, Casey and I already had plans to go out that night but after the day before I really wanted to include Drew too. I really wanted to see him again. What Casey and I had planned was well out of Drew's element but he agreed to come anyways.

By the end of the night I was left with an uneasy feeling that maybe we weren't a match made in Heaven. Drew was quiet...I was not. He was a sweet gentleman and I was used to bad boys. I had a history of being the bad girl and wasn't sure he could accept that.

I don't remember if he called me or if I called him the next few days but we ended up talking again all the same. Casey assured me that I needed to keep talking to him and see what could come of it. Even though I had a few doubt something kept pulling me back to him. He kept wowing me with his humor and kindness.

One night a week or so later he asked if I wanted to come to his house and watch a movie and get some pizza. Nervously, Hudson and I went to his house and that's where everything changed. I've never seen a man so awesome with a child that was not his own. Hudson was generally a shy child until he gets to know someone but he was so comfortable with Drew. It wasn't a forced I-need-to-impress-this-girl-by-being-nice-to-her-son kind of thing either. He was genuine and Hudson could tell. When we got home Hudson asked me if we could go back to his house again and my heart melted.

Over the next month we were pretty inseparable. I met his kids and absolutely adored them. I was quickly falling for Drew but didn't have to nerve to tell him...I mean we had only known each other for about 2 months. Then on February 27, 2009 I was in a horrible car accident. It was my fault and I spent the next 2 days in the hospital and Drew never left my side. At the hospital's emergency room ambulance bay is where Drew and my Step-dad first met...crazy huh? When I was able to leave the hospital Drew said he would take me home to my apartment and it was a very emotional ride too. I cried nearly the whole way (about 40 minutes) thinking about close I was to being killed in that wreck. He helped me into my apartment and gave me the biggest hug and began crying too. That's the first time he told me he loved me and it scared him so bad that he came close to losing me in such a horrible way.

That June I drove to Dallas (about 3 hours away) to be with him as his daughter (almost 1 at that time) was about to undergo her 2nd open heart surgery. Later that month he proposed to me and I could not have been any happier. I was so excited to have him as mine and to be getting 3 new beautiful kids too!

On November 7, 2009 we said our I-do's in his Aunt's home with just our very close family and friends. Later that night we had a big party at his sister's house where all of our friends came to celebrate with us. The next week we went to Gulf Shores, AL, Destin, FL, and on the way back home we stopped in New Orleans, LA. We had a great week on our honeymoon and I could see then all I had to look forward to for the rest of my life.

The next year or so is more of a blur than anything. It has a tremendously hard time for us as we were going through some excruciatingly painful child custody battles with his ex-wife. It's not a subject I like to talk about much now for a few reasons but the best part is we were still able to keep the kids 50% of the time like we had been doing all along. Since then things have been so much better between everyone and for that I'm so grateful. It's easier on the kids and parents!!

Our love story doesn't end there or where we are now because we are constantly writing it. Each day there are new surprises, excitement, love, learning and so much more. Drew has taught me so much about love and patience and letting go of the little things. I'm still hard-headed and stubborn as all get out but I'm trying daily to let go of all that too. The Lord is #1 in our marriage and with HIM we will continue to grow as one heart and the rest will fade away. We still have days were we don't like each other but we go to bed loving each other every night. We are young and still have so much learning to do. I can't wait to spend the rest of life with this amazing man and our beautiful kids.

I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones and continue to show them how much you care each and every day of the year.

You are loved,
Ashley

Our Love Story Pt. 1 - How We Met

Four years ago if someone would have asked me what I thought my future would be they most certainly would have gotten an answer along the lines of "No marriage, a career, just me and my baby".  That's what I had planned. After a few heart breaks I decided that I would just be alone for my entire life. I erased the word "marriage" from my vocabulary as well as the thought of ever having to "answer" to someone that didn't understand who I was or what I wanted. I was independent and hard-headed. I wanted a career but I still wasn't sure of what. I had a 4 1/2 year old son that was my world. He was all I needed and all that I wanted.

Through out that next year I did become lonely and looked for love in all the wrong places. I wanted to be happy but still didn't know where to find it. Around November 2009 I gave up. I gave up on looking for love and happiness. I decided that if it was meant for me to have someone then he would come into life some way.

On January 8, 2009, I was sitting at my desk in my office when my friend Casey sent me a text message that said something like her mom had called her [Casey] saying that her [Casey's mom] friend had asked if she knew of a good, single girl that her son could befriend or possibly date. So of course Casey told her about me. At the time I was like "really Casey..." but now I'm so glad that she did. Casey asked if it was okay that she give this guy my number because he was headed to her store to get it anyways. I was secretly terrified but excited at the same time. Around 7 pm a number I didn't recognize called my cell phone but being that I was still at work I didn't answer it. I knew it had to be him and was reassured after I listened to the voice message he left. I sent him a quick text message letting him know I was at work and would call him back when I left the office and was headed home.

As the clock ticked closer to eight o'clock I was getting increasingly nervous but knew that I did have to call him back since I said I would. After I left work I drove a little ways before I got up the nerve to call him. Actually I think I was a few red lights from the office when I dialed his number. Secretly I wished he wouldn't answer the phone and would have to call me back. My wish was not granted as he did indeed answer the phone. We talked for practically the rest of the night. He was so easy to listen to as well as talk to. He made me laugh more than I had in a long time. Finally we came to the realization that we both had work in the morning and should go to bed. He asked me to go to lunch with him the next day and actually meet. I agreed and said we would talk tomorrow.

The next morning as I was on my way to work Drew called me asking if we could still meet for lunch. Again I was so nervous I almost wanted to tell him that I couldn't do it. He made a few jokes about going to eat sushi and I thought he was crazy. As I pulled up to my office we agreed to eat at this Mexican restaurant at 11 o'clock and hung up. I went inside telling my co-worker that I must be crazy to go meet this guy on somewhat of a blind date. He agreed.

The time came for my lunch break and I was a few minutes late getting out of the office. Drew called and asked was I still going to be able to make it. I really wanted to tell him no but instead I said I was just a few minutes from the restaurant. When I pulled up Drew was standing in front of his work van and my heart skipped a little beat. He was pretty handsome! I quickly thought I wasn't in his league and he wouldn't want to see me again after this lunch date. I had little confidence in myself and I'm sure he could tell it. Over the next hour we got to know each other a little better but there were still a few awkward moments of silence. He learned about my son and I learned about his 3 kids and his ex-wife. We talked about our hobbies and he charmed me with his humor. We left the restaurant planning for a date the next night (Saturday).

That day he broke down a little piece of the wall I had around my heart. I didn't even think it was possible but he did it. For once I had a little glimmer of hope that it was possible there still was a good guy left in this world! I was excited...still nervous...a little anxious...but a lot happy!!

For Part 2 of Our Love Story - How I Fell In Love come back tomorrow...

Ashley