It all started in 2000. I met the man of my dreams. It didn't take me very long to realize that God had introduced me to the man I was going to marry. Here's how it went down....
We met while members of MDYC (Metro Detroit Youth Chorus) at our Fall Camp...so says my husband. I say we met very quickly and briefly the year earlier. It obviously wasn't very memorable for him. Regardless, we started our whirlwind, very dramatic, on-again-off-again high school romance which lasted all the way through to our whirlwind, very dramatic, on-again-off-again college romance. In 2005, after my second year at Michigan State University (and in one of our off-again stages), I packed my bags and headed to California where I made the transfer to the Design Institute of San Diego. Now, don't consider me brave for moving clear across the country on my own. I followed my parents there and I bummed off of them until I graduated. I wasn't there very long when I decided that being 2500 miles away from the only guy I ever loved (even during off-again stages) wasn't a good idea. It took me a while (7 months to be exact) to convince him to break up with his current girlfriend and date me, again. Our on-again stage began January 2006. We flew back and forth between California and Michigan every 5-6 weeks and by November 2006 we were engaged. No more off-again stages!
April 2001-One of our first pictures ever
THE ENGAGEMENT
November 22, 2006- Steve decided to take advantage of the beautiful California day by heading down to La Jolla, a great beach city in San Diego. We had been through once before in July, but for some reason Steve was determined to go there again. He claimed it was to climb around on the giant rocks and look into the tide pools where tiny crabs and other sea creatures hang out. After failing to convince him to go do that at a much closer beach, I reluctantly climbed into the car and pouted as we made our way down to La Jolla, 2 hours away.
I didn't understand why Steve chose to wear his coat, after all, it was a beautiful day and it was November. I was sure he would want to enjoy NOT wearing a coat in November. I noted the odd behavior and filed it away. After tediously looking into e v e r y s i n g l e tide pool, we stood on the rocks, his arms around me, staring into the ocean (here's where you say "aww, how romantic"). The conversation goes as follows:
Steve: "I can't wait until we can bring our kids places like this"
Leanne: "Kids? We would need to be married first."
Steve: "Yeeeaaahhh...."
Leanne: "Which means we would have to be engaged, and you're in no hurry to do that, so..."
Obviously getting annoyed that I was getting annoyed and ruining his perfect moment, he began his speech about how much he loves me and how important I am to him. I quickly remembered his odd decision to keep his coat on. With my arms around his waist, I carefully and discreetly moved my hands so they could push against his coat pockets. Is there a tiny little box in there? Blocked! It's like he knew I was searching. So he kept on talking (which I'm not going to lie, I don't really remember anything he said. I was too busy thinking about if this was the moment I'd been waiting for). And it was!
Steve: "Will you marry me?"
and with a turn of my head, I saw it...the gorgeous round cut diamond ring surrounded by a million (or so it seemed) tiny sparkling diamonds lining the white gold band!
Leanne: "Whaaaaaaaat?! SHUT UP!"
That was my response. How he translated that into "Yes, Steve, I would be honored to be your wife", I'll never know. But that's what I meant : ) So began our whirlwind, very dramatic, on-again-no-more-off-agains engagement.
Our Engagement Picture
THE WEDDING
We were married in front of friends and family on July 12, 2008 in Michigan. Our ceremony took place at the Northeast Church of Christ, the church I grew up attending and we were married by Stan Clanton, the same minister that married my parents 27 years earlier.
The ceremony at Northeast Church of Christ
Our reception took place in St. Clair Shores, MI. Not to toot my own wedding planning horn here, but it was THE BEST wedding I've ever been too. Dinner, drinks, and dancing, all with the amazing people who helped shape our lives and prepare us for a life of our very own.
Celebrating our new life, surrounded by people we love
Ready to start our Happily Ever After as Mr. & Mrs.
THE MOVE(S)
Before we were married, Steve was informed his department was being relocated. A chance to get out of Michigan? And for free? Heck yes! The weekend after our wedding, we packed all our wedding gifts and moved down to Charlotte, North Carolina where we would call home. For about 10 months (technically, Steve called it home for 10 months, me for 6. In September I had to head back to California for 3 1/2 months to finish up my last semester and graduate. Long story, don't ask).
Our first place- our Charlotte apartment
After deciding that we liked Charlotte and that we were going to stick around, we figured it was time to buy a house. So we did, just across the state boarder in Fort Mill, South Carolina, where we would call home for the next 10 months.
Our adorable first house in Fort Mill, SC
To our surprise, in November 2009, Steve was offered a position with a competitor. Needless to say, the offer was too good to refuse. So here we are, back in North Carolina where we call Greensboro home.
Our current home in Greensboro, NC
So thats our story....and we're stickin' to it! Check out the "Our Babies" tab to learn more about our Furbaby and our actual babies : )
