Our Love Story
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| This picture was taken on our second anniversary... in the park where he proposed. |
Where do I begin? The details of OUR STORY are fuzzy. I guess it's because when I actually met David, the man of my dreams, he was dating a friend of mine. I vaguely remember meeting him when I was about 17 or 18. He worked backstage in a play that I was dancing in. We were simply 'aquaintances' for several years and only saw each other occasionally. I knew that he was a hard worker and very sweet... and that he lived in 'that house' on Providence Rd. (the house we live in now). I remember driving down his street with my mom one day and casually telling her that I knew the guy that lived there. He was sweet and simple... the kind of guy I could see myself marrying.
That is really my only memory of him the first year or two that we knew each other.
I guess we should fast forward another year or two. He is now engaged to the same friend of mine and I am head over heals for another boy. As I left a Saturday dance rehearsal, one summer afternoon, my friend told me that her fiance would be playing in a band at our church outreach that I was going to. She wasn't able to be there, so I told her I'd make him feel welcome if I saw him.
When I got there, he was standing alone waiting to play. I decided to say 'hi' while he was waiting to go on. Anyway, the poor guy just stood there as I talked his ear off... I have no idea how long it was. I remember asking him a million questions about everything... and he didn't have much to say, so I just kept talking. Eventually I ran out of words, wished him good luck and skipped off into the Chesapeake sunset in my baggy overalls with my bushy eyebrows and hair pulled back in a bun.
If you ask David of his first memory of us... that's the story he would tell. Chesapeake park... overalls, eyebrows, bun. He said he would've fallen for me right then... and he kind of did, but he had to straighten his life out. He soon after broke off his engagement, he knew it just wasn't the Lord. He didn't treat and treasure his fiance in the way she should have been... he was sweet and kind, but his heart wasn't in it. She would very soon meet and marry the man of her dreams. God has greater plans for us than we imagine for ourselves... but sometimes it takes some heartache to realize it. That is my testimony as I look back on our story... and I believe that would be her testimony as she looks back on this time as well.
At this point, David had started attending the church I went to and was diving into the single's ministry. He was friends with most of my friends and got to know my family pretty well also.
The following summer, my family decided to go to Denver to spend a few weeks with friends while my dad worked on a job out there. David quit his landscaping job to head out west with us. It seemed a bit strange, but I knew my dad needed help. Of course, looking back, he was going out there to be with me, but I was clueless. David drove in the truck with my dad... and I rode with the rest of the family in the van. I remember chatting with him at a rest stop somewhere in Kansas and telling him about this boy I was crazy about, and how I couldn't wait to see him. David was crushed... and that is the beginning of our 'rockey relationship'. Our friendship continued to grow deeper as we spent time together, but he tried to move on being that I was clearly not interested in him at the time.
(This is the conclusion of part one... I'm gonna have to write this one in installments:)
So, David and I spent the summer in Colorado with my family. We generally hung out with the same friends and did the same things. Our relationship was kind of all over the place during this time. I still viewed him as a very dear friend... and he was annoyed that I was so oblivious to the way he felt for me. I'm sure it was hurtful for him to see me with someone else and I was aggravated that he started treating me so differently.
At the end of the summer I flew back to Virginia and he drove the family van back by himself. I remember thinking that it would've been fun to drive back with him, but of course my parents would never go for that.
Ironically enough, we both came home with intentions of moving back to Colorado. He had made many close friends out there and was going to start working for Integrity Auto Specialists... and I was hoping to go back for a few months and see if it was a move I could follow through with.
We spent the next few months hanging out together but mostly bickering back and forth since there was some obvious tension between us. And in another twist of irony... everything 'hit the fan' on the very weekend that 'Denver Boy' was in town.
David and I were waiting in the car for some people that were riding with us. I'm sure I said something 'snappy' to him... and apparently he had had enough. He broke down and filled me in on the past year and how he'd been in love with me since 'baggy-overall-family-festival-day'. He couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed. I, on the other hand, wondered why in the world he never just came out and said it.
It melted my heart to have such a dear friend telling me how much he cared for me, but the timing couldn't have been worse. 'Denver Boy' was here... and planning on speaking to my dad about our 'relationship'. We definitely didn't have my parent's blessing on making our relationship somewhat 'official'. I wanted my parents to love whoever I loved... and, while they never had anything against 'Denver Boy', they definitely weren't supportive of us going any further. Throughout the entire 'Denver Boy' time frame, my parents and I clashed. I fought hard to make things happen, but I didn't want to completely disrespect my parents. In a fit of frustration one night, I just told my dad "Fine! If you guys will never be o.k. with this, just tell me and I'll move on."
Just so this concept doesn't seem totally foreign to some readers... let me explain. This was around the time where a well known christian author and pastor in one of our churches wrote a popular, yet slightly controversial book about dating vs. courtship. He suggested that casual dating wasn't necessarily the best way to find the person you wanted to marry. Just think of how many people start 'casually dating' at an early age... get in way over their heads... the physical connection eventually surpasses any sort of spiritual or genuine connection... and you end up settling for someone that you simply are afraid to let go of. This was definitely the case with David in past relationships.
I had also seen this cycle of heartbreak in many of my friends and I knew there had to be a better way. The idea of 'courtship' was to really pursue someone that you could see yourself marrying or were at least seriously interested in. Not wasting months or years of your life in self gratifying relationships that weren't heading in a meaningful direction.
The beauty of courtship was meant to involve those we trusted and respected in our relationship. So that's why ' Denver Boy' was here to talk to my dad... and that's why I ultimately told my parents that I wouldn't date him without their blessing.
But, as most of you know, we as humans (or Christians in this case) are very good at screwing up a good thing. The idea of 'courtship' turned into some formula of how to be in a 'christian relationship'. For a lot of people, myself included, it became the way you HAD to do things, instead of a simple way to honor the Lord in relationships. I really regret the way I went about things at this point in my life. Worrying way too much of how I appeared to others instead of prayerfully making my own decisions.
So, as I continue 'OUR LOVE STORY' you will see that terminology doesn't make a difference. That you can be in a God-glorifying dating relationship... or a really screwed up and deceitful courtship.
And so we continue...
After things were over with 'Denver Boy', David and I were friends. I knew that he was interested in me, but it took me a while to be completely open to the idea. This was in January of 2003.
David and I both ended up staying in Virginia. David was ultimately planning on moving to Denver to get away from me... but as he sensed the new possibility of a relationship, he wanted to stay close.
In August of the same year we officially started 'courting'. 'Courting' meaning... 'we were in a serious relationship considering and moving toward marriage'... in other words... SERIOUS.
We were already very dear friends and by this time I could definitely imagine marrying him. We had several heavy blows early on in our courtship every time I would run across an ex-girlfriend or someone from his past. It would throw me into a tailspin of insecurity and disappointment in the way he had lived his life before me. I was very judgmental and he had no idea how to respond. We seemed to skip past the 'light-hearted, get to know you' phase and move straight into the deep waters of conflict and expectations.
My dad was always supportive of me and David, but my mom was never at peace with the way things were... and that really bothered me. Our courtship was filled with the highs and lows of 'I'm totally in love with this person'... all the way to ' we really need to slow things down'. The truth was... we really did need to slow things down. David was in love with me and wanted things to happen quickly since he felt like he had been waiting forever for me. I was a little more cautious. David was pushy with me, physically... which caused a lot of friction (and eventually a lot of guilt) throughout our courtship.
David was the first boy I ever kissed... and well, I wasn't David's first anything. He respected that I was serious about waiting until we got married before we had sex. Of course I was going to wait... that's what 'good, christian' girls do. The problem is that 'simply waiting' and 'being pure' can be totally different things. I think that waiting until your married to have sex is great... and I'm so grateful that we did wait. But if that's the only goal, then I think you're missing the whole point of purity. The Lord sees our hearts, I don't believe he simply 'gives us points' for technicalities.
Anyway, we were together from August 2003- October 2004. By this time we were deeply in love, but our relationship was marked by constant turmoil. We struggled to be pure, but there were many times of weakness, followed by guilt. This wouldn't have been such a huge deal, except for the fact that no one knew. I was so intent on keeping things looking good to everybody else, that no one really knew our struggles or conflicts. This is what I regret the most, not being open and honest about the things we were really dealing with. I would expect any couple to deal with the same issues, especially when you're completely in love, but committed to remaining pure. But this is not a battle to be fought alone. It would've been a breath of fresh air just to be reminded that God wasn't disappointed in me each time I failed, but instead saw His perfect Son each time he looked at me. There were people in my life who could've reminded me of this, if only I had the humility to be open.
So after over a year of highs and lows, David broke up with me. Without a warning... in one conversation... it was over.
I was devastated. Someone I had completely given my heart to just walked away. I was hurt, at first, but in the back of my mind, I knew he'd realize what a huge mistake he made. I figured we'd just cool down and eventually work things out.
A few months passed. We met briefly on Valentine's day, not a date, just a conversation. There was no animosity, but it was still sad.
Just a few days after that, I was scheduled for a last minute back surgery. I went in for surgery on February 17, 2005. It was horrible. I was in the hospital for over a week. David came up to visit, brought flowers and was even forced to help my brother with my bed pan. I was happy to see him and at least felt like he still cared for me.
It must have only been a week or two after my surgery when things hit a new 'low'. I was sitting in the back of the church when the unthinkable happened. No, no one came rushing through the doors with a machine gun... or stabbed me in the back, but they might as well have.
David. Sweet David, love of my life. The guy who had just brought me flowers and changed my bed pan, walked past me... sat down next to 'Pretty Blond Girl' and put his arm around her.
My heart fell to the floor. I stood up in my walker and hobbled out to the lobby with tears streaming down my face. I remember telling a friend that he's probably giving 'Pretty Blonde' the wrong impression, not to mention, being totally insensitive.
"Oh, you didn't know?" she replied, "They're courting."
STAB. My heart leaped out of my chest and landed on the floor of the church lobby. My emotions soon followed. I'm sure I was quite the sight. Poor little sickly girl with her walker ... sobbing uncontrollably.
@#^$^$ COURTING?! What the hell?! I thought 'courting' was an endearing term reserved for 'that special someone'. But I guess now it's some @%$!%^ christian term used for 'lead some nice, christian girl on for a year... then dump her for another nice, christian girl'.
I was devastated, hurt, confused, but more than anything... angry. I felt betrayed and taken advantage of. I knew David well enough to know that it wasn't all his doing. I knew the people that he hung out with well enough to know that it was a 'Oh wouldn't you two be cute together' setup. I knew 'Pretty Blonde' well enough to know that she wasn't his type. But I didn't blame them... David was obviously accountable for his own actions... even though he was encouraged by people who didn't know the whole story.
Up until this point, I had held on to all of my 'David memorabilia'. Many love notes scratched out on old menus, napkins... whatever. Valentine and birthday cards. A pair of diamond earrings he gave me our first Christmas together. They were my favorite earrings, I wore them all the time... but I wanted nothing to do with any of it now. I put everything in a box and had a friend give it all back to David at church one day. Each time I came across any other notes or pictures of us I would rip them up and throw them away.
I was sad and heartbroken... but I was caught off guard by this anger and hatred that seemed to seep out into all areas of life. I would've never considered myself an angry person... but all of a sudden, that seemed to be my most identifying characteristic.
I was no longer the good, christian girl I though I was. I was full of hate and rage towards David. There was no hope or even desire to ever reconcile. We still saw each other around church. I went to weddings that he was in with his new girlfriend and new group of friends. I slandered him to anyone who dared mention his name if front of me. My pain was worse than ever after my surgery and I masked it with pain meds and alcohol.
I didn't technically date anyone during this time. But I definitely sought comfort through a particular relationship with one of my closest 'guy friends'. This was another huge regret of mine. That was something that never crossed my mind, in my selfishness, at the time... but it's someone that I would eventually have to treat like an 'ex'. A dear friend that I couldn't invite to my wedding. Someone that I would love to catch up with and see how he's doing. Someone in my past that is now hurtful for my husband to run in to. But my heart was rebellious... and clearly not considering these things as I begrudgingly threw all my previous standards out the window. Who cares about 'being pure' or 'giving your heart away' when you've already given it away before?
I didn't care what people thought of me anymore, which is a good thing as I think about it now. But at the time, it just gave me license to be angry and lash out whenever I felt like it.
I remember meeting a friend for coffee one day. She happened to work for the same company that David did. Usually David wasn't in the office, so I didn't even worry about running into him until he walked through the door. As soon as I saw him, my blood boiled and I just totally started beating the crap out of him. (Looking back, it's a bit humorous being that I'm much shorter than him and not very agile when it comes to a right hook.) But I didn't care. His boss had to ask me to leave. He soon reminded me that I really shouldn't come back.
(On a funny side note... this story gets repeated often at company parties being that David still works at the same place.)
To be continued... Stay tuned, it really does have a happy ending.
Where are we? I don't know... probably spring of 2005. An ultimate low for David and I (really, there was no 'David and I')... but , even worse, my personal rock bottom. I explain in a little more detail in 'MY STORY', but words can't describe how lost and desperate I was that year. I can't blame it all on David. Our breakup was just the catalyst of the turmoil going on inside of me.
I was hateful and bitter towards him... and I let him and everyone else know it. I numbed myself with vicodin, percocet, anti-depressants, ambien and alcohol. There were days after days with no sleep in between. I was depressed and suicidal. These issues were clearly not David's fault, but I hated him even more for abandoning me during such a difficult time (back surgery).
The summer passed in a fog of insomnia and painkillers. At some point that year, a large group from our church moved down to Atlanta. David and 'Pretty Blonde' were friends with most of that group and I even heard rumors that he was considering moving as well. I was so relieved to think that he would be gone and I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. I would later learn that my mom was praying that he would move too.
David and 'Pretty Blonde' eventually broke up. I don't remember when, but I really didn't even care at the time.
I went out to Denver in September for a friend's wedding. September 10th, remember that date. It was great to be out west with old friends and I even reconnected with 'Denver Boy'. I remember being at that wedding and thinking how far off that day would be for me. I was so screwed up at the time. So bitter and hateful... faced with so much physical pain and limitations. Marriage was something that seemed so close with David... but almost impossible without him.
As I got home and continued life, my back pain grew worse and another spinal fusion was scheduled for the second week in December.
I'm not sure exactly what happened, but it was at a singles meeting at our church in November. I remember being slightly convicted throughout the previous weeks. Just a nagging feeling that I really needing to let go of the hate and bitterness that I held so tightly to. I could feel the bitterness growing inside of me and I really believe that it was affecting my physical body and the healing process. So, that night as I walked out to my car alone, I spotted David's truck just a few spaces over. I don't know what came over me, but I searched through my purse for a piece of paper and scribbled out a brief note to him.
Just a few words. "I don't completely hate you."
It's funny now, just looking back. I felt like a saint as I scribbled out those 'generous' words. "I don't completely hate you."
Apparently, David found the note as he was pulling out of the church parking lot and pulled over to the side of the road to read it. He was moved to tears... probably because he knew that was a big step for me. He called me immediately. I was already home and in bed by that time. I recognized his number (of course I had deleted it out of my contacts)... but there was no way I even wanted to hear his voice.
'I hope he doesn't think he can talk to me now.' I remember thinking. I was still angry and hateful... but the Lord had started to soften my heart, just a little. The process of forgiveness had begun. I remember random thoughts of resentment popping into my head throughout the days... and I would just pray... "Lord, I don't want to hate him."
I was still very close with 'non-boyfriend'. We hung out and went on 'non-dates' all the time. It must've been one day after my second back surgery in December... 'non-boyfriend' was up in my room having a cappuccino and keeping me company (yes, I had an espresso maker in my room). I was in bed all the time, so many of my friends would just come upstairs to hangout and have a cup of coffee.
All of a sudden... David's sister and her fiance walk into my room! They were over borrowing some sort of tool from my dad. She introduced her fiance to me and mentioned that they were getting married New Year's Eve. She casually invited me to the wedding. 'Oh thanks... maybe if I'm feeling up to it.' I responded. But on the inside I was thinking... 'Are you kidding me?! There's no way!'
Fast forward a few weeks to Christmas Eve... or maybe it was the day before. My dad called me downstairs... he had a gift for me. I hobbled outside with my walker... and there, on the front lawn was a shiny, black Mercedes compressor... with two huge green and red bows! (Now, I know what you're thinking... yes, I was totally spoiled.) Apparently my dad traded work with a guy who sold used cars... which worked out fabulously for me.
Of course, my dad and brother were so excited to tell me the whole story of what a great deal they got... and how they've been keeping it a secret for a week... and how they called David to see if he worked with anyone who could get those giant bows for cars.
Ugh... I thought. 'Why do we have to get David involved?'
'It's o.k'... I told myself, 'Don't let it ruin the moment.'
They continued to go on and on about how David got the bows, met them for lunch and even took my car out for a spin. He even got pulled over for speeding... and sweet-talked the policeman out of a ticket.
I just remember sitting there, rolling my eyes about the whole thing. Then something inside just nudged at me... This is a choice... you have the option to hate at this moment... or the option to extend forgiveness. Not even forgiveness that was even asked for... but the kind of love and forgiveness that we owe each other when we call ourselves 'children of God'. Christ forgave us when we hated him. He shed his blood and covered my sins that weren't even committed yet. He forgives me when I consciously disobey him... and now I'm going to hold this bitterness and hatred towards someone that is no worse than me?! It all of a sudden seemed so silly... and even embarrassing.
I decided to compete with the 'eye roll' by simply sending David a light-hearted text. I don't even remember what I said... probably just a silly joke about him getting to drive my car before me.
He called me back immediately.
Ahh! I really didn't care to talk to him... but I answered. We 'small talked' for a few minutes. He asked if I knew of a place he could get his nieces some ballet stuff for Christmas. I gave him some suggestions... then offered some stuff I had, since most places would be closed on Christmas Eve... (avoid eye roll). We hung up on good terms.
I was in bed when my mom came upstairs and said... "uhh... did you know David was here?"
I told her where the ballet stuff was and she went down to help him find it.
A few minutes later... another knock on my door... my mom peeks her head in... "He wants to see you. Is that o.k.?"
At this point, I don't think I had even told my mom about the 'I don't hate you' note... I had just told her that I was working on being forgiving. I'm sure she was shocked to see me so calm about the situation. She hated to see me going through so much... I later learned that she even contacted David and told him that he better not come near the hospital during that second back surgery.
"Sure... I guess?" I answered hesitantly.
David walks into my room with a sheepish smile... some tollhouse cookie dough... and a Kelly Clarkson 'hate your boyfriend' sort of c.d. I chuckled and thanked him. He made some sort of joke of how he wanted me to have something that made me think of him... since I gave everything else back or tore it up.
I still don't remember everything that was said. He said that it killed him to know that I hated him so much. When he left, I gave him a hug and told him I loved him... then I had to clarify... not the 'I'm in love with you' love... but the... 'I don't want anything bad to happen to you' love. We parted on good terms.
We briefly saw each other at the Christmas Eve service. He even pushed my wheelchair out to the car and handed me a card.
Here's what it said...
Dear Jessica,
I still have a hard time believing that I was at your house today, in your room... and that Roberson Jessica Rickards gave me a hug and said that she loves me. I didn't cry out loud, but I was melting on the inside. I honestly never expected you to forgive me for all that I've done.
I don't know how much time we will get to spend with each other, but I pray that aside from all that we've learned, we can erase the past with what may be to come. Thank you again for all your help today.
Merry Christmas... and I love you too.
I just remember reading and re-reading that card. Wondering what he meant by 'what may be to come'. I had flashbacks of how many times I said... 'I will never marry that guy'... or how much I absolutely hated him.
I was a little nervous to even imagine my life with David in it... as a friend or otherwise. I had fought everything inside of me that had loved him and now it was all rushing back to the surface.
I remember talking to my mom that week after Christmas... and telling her everything that was going on... and how I felt. I even remember being a bit nervous about opening up with her about David... since she was never a big fan to begin with.
She listened and said that it seemed that God was doing a lot in my heart... and in David's. She invited her very dear friend over a few days later for coffee. We were sitting around the table and she said to her friend... "Remember what I told you in September?"
Her friend kind of thought for a minute ... "You mean... about David?" she said quietly not knowing whether she should mention his name in front of me.
"It's o.k., tell her," my mom reassured her.
"Well... your mom told me back in September that while she was praying for you... and praying that David would move away... the Lord told her that David would be back by Christmas."
My mom clarified by saying that she didn't know if that meant 'things would be better with him'... or maybe he just wouldn't end up moving... but she told her friend 'just in case'... and never said anything else about it.
My mom jokingly said that you could've knocked her over with a feather when she opened the door on Christmas Eve and saw David standing there...
So... after David's note and hearing from my mom... I knew that the Lord was in the situation. He had been softening my heart... and the forgiveness and love came quicker than I could ever imagine. We still didn't talk or hang out right away. But he did invite me to his sister's wedding on New Years Eve. I debated about whether to go or not, but finally ended up going. I just had this nagging feeling that maybe I would regret 'not going' one day. I took my sister with me, we spoke to David a bit and he walked us out to the car. We left on good terms. In a twist of irony, I had already made New Year's Eve plans with 'non-boyfriend'.
It took a couple of weeks to let things sink in and to make heads or tails of the situation. It became more and more obvious that the Lord had directed our paths... and I knew that I truly loved him. The deepest kind of love that comes from knowing a person at their worst... from knowing life without that person... the kind of love that comes from forgiveness... love reconciled.
David eventually called me sometime after the New Year. He asked if he could start calling me more often. I simply replied... "Only if you're planning on marrying me."
"Well, of course I am." he answered.
He started coming over regularly and hanging out with the family. We would just sit on the couch and stare at each other forever... just amazed at how things can turn around so quickly.
We went out on our second 'first date' that Valentine's Day. We were still trying to keep things 'low key'... so we simply went to a friend's house for dinner.
When we got back to my house... David said he had something for me. It was a giant grocery bag... full of the stuff I had given back to him. He pulled out my favorite pair of earrings and gave them back to me. I think I just started sobbing out of happiness. There was even a separate envelope in there... full of the notes and pictures that I had thrown away.
"Uhh... where did you get these?" I asked
He explained that my sister, Reaghan, had found the stuff in my trash and mailed them to him. I guess sometimes it pays to have a nosy and intrusive sister... and, in this case, I must say that I am grateful.
We still hadn't made our relationship 'public'... so we decided to have a little fun with it at church. I would roll my eyes jokingly every time we ran into each other. We would write notes to each other and hide them in random places. We were just enjoying getting to know each other again.
About a month later, on March 20, 2006... David asked if he could take me out for the day. It was a chilly and dreary spring day. We drove all over... randomly visiting some of our favorite places. Eventually I figured out that he was reenacting one of our favorite days from early in our relationship. He ended up giving me a card that said he wanted to take me outlet shopping for something to wear for a day trip he planned for New York for the following week... whatever he wrote in the card made it pretty obvious that he planned on proposing in New York. He even wrote out our itinerary, which included at 6:00 a.m. flight there... a full day of fun and romance... and a midnight flight home.
We ended up in Williamsburg after lunch, did a little shopping and stopped at one of our favorite sandwich shops. But instead of going inside to get dinner... he pulled out a quilt and picnic basket from the trunk. We walked to a small secluded park and had some wine, cheese and fruit... then he pulled out a box with our picture on it, full of all of our old letters inside. We just sat there going through so many memories... laughing and even tearing up a bit. It just felt like heaven to be together.
Then after we finished our dinner he gave me a new Bible. The inscription on the front said... ROBERSON JESSICA ROCKEY... and on the inside it said from 'your soon to be husband'.
I still don't think I realized that he was proposing until he pulled the ring out. I'm pretty sure that I said yes... but it's all a blur.
We went to the Trellis to celebrate with a piece of 'Death by Chocolate' cake... and I excused myself to the bathroom so I could admire my ring without appearing to be completely vain. The ring was beautiful. We never even looked at or talked about rings, but it's just what I would've chosen. Sometimes I'll still just take off my wedding band and look at my engagement ring... so I can remember how I felt at that exact moment. Pure bliss.
We walked out of the Trellis... and there was a beautiful horse drawn carriage waiting for us. We snuggled under the velvet blanket as we wove through the old cobblestone streets. It's been almost six years since that evening and I can still smell the crisp air and hear the horses hooves on the streets. It was a magical night.
We drove back home to my parent's house where David had planned a huge surprise engagement party. All of his family and even some of my out of town family was there.
I was blown away. Cake, chocolate fountains... even flower petals on the sidewalk as we walked in. And, yes, I know what you're thinking... I officially never have the right to complain about my husband not being romantic. It was amazing to have so many friends and family there to celebrate with us.
I guess this is a good place to 'end' OUR LOVE STORY. This is where our 'Happily Ever After' begins. Anyone who knows us well, knows that we've still had many highs and lows throughout the rest of our story. But we have learned that love can be passionate fireworks, as it is for most in the beginning... but eventually love turns into soft glowing embers. Sparks and fireworks are beautiful... but they don't compare to the warmth of a fire that has lasted over time.
OUR WEDDING DAY... September 9, 2006.