11 years...

11 years ago (Feb 13, 2001) my dad passed away. I was 14 and in the 8th grade. I remember that day and the days following like it was yesterday.  A boy I had a crush on (Brad) asked me out that morning and I was super excited! Around mid morning the office called me and my younger brother into the office and said our mom was picking us up. We waiting for what seemed like HOURS and our neighbor picked us up. I knew something was wrong, but thought it was our grandma. When we got home my mom told us our dad had passed away early that morning. I remember my knees buckling and I just collapsed on the kitchen floor. I dont remember crying then...I remember feeling numb and shocked. I went into the living room to watch TV and on of my favorite movies was on (My Girl). My mom suggested it wasnt the best movie to watch, but for some reason it was comforting to me. My youngest brother was still in elementary school, my mom waited until he got home from school to tell him. The days following were a blur of running around getting things ready to go to Chicago for the funeral. That first night we all slept in the living room. I would also lock myself in the bathroom and SCREAM at God and question why. My dad was my best friend, why him. I still don't know but its not our place to know. He has a plan for all of us.

My dad passed away on a business trip in Texas. Which is oddly comforting that it was not in our house. It was completly natural, in his sleep. He had heart problems his whole life, born with a messed up valve. Had it replaced when I was 4 with a pig valve (I loved laying on his chest and listening to it). When I was 13 (Nov 2000) he had to have it replaced (you have to every 10 years). While in surgery they found an aneurism and did a triple by pass. His heart just couldnt take it anymore and he passed away in his sleep.

It still sucks so much to think about. Especially since my brothers were never that close with him and dont remember much because they were so young. It still stings, but its ok. God has a plan for all of us.

Its Offical!

I am a student again! I got accepted into Liberty University's online masters program today. Classes start in March and I am pretty excited! I think Michael is more excited then I am. He is about to finish his masters (MBA) and was encouraging me to keep going and get my masters. I finally caved and decided to because I would like to make a career change. I want to be a teacher. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a kid, but things change...I can never make up my mind...and people influence you too much when you are young...

Anyway! So here we go! I am diving head first back into school. REALLY nervous because I am not a great student...Michael has faith that I will be fine...I am lacking the same confidence. It should take about 2 years to finish. I am hoping I can finish faster, but we shall see!

Wish me luck!

So What Wednesday!

This week I am saying so what to...

• We did nothing for Valentines Day - we are postponing it till next week. Michaels dad is in town visiting right now. 
• I got really excited for a sale at Kroger - our laundry detergent is NEVER on sale!
• I am looking forward to lunch today - its pay day so I can go anywhere! :)
• I am so ready for spring. 
• I am thinking of going back to school for my masters...even though I hate school.
• I am thinking of changing careers...well kinda. I would like to teach high school kids stuff I learned in college (radio/tv/editing/filming). Thats why I want to get my masters to jump ahead. 
• Getting my masters scares me...I am not a good student! 
• I am terrible blogger...I am trying! 

Our love story

I am linking up today to share our love story.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

We will have "been together" 4 years next month. Been married since Oct :) 

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

Oh boy, here we go! We met in class my junior year of college. We had to get in groups our first day of class and he was in mine. From then on we were in this group all semester, so we all sat next to each other. The juicy part was I was engaged to another guy at the time, but I broke it off amount a month after meeting Michael. NOT because of Michael, but he was a GREAT friend during the drama that ensued.

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

We have been married for 4 months tomorrow :) Oct. 9, 2011

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We got married in our Orthodox church we attend in Marietta, Ga and reception at a local golf and tennis club. We had a med size wedding. About 90 people in attendence. We didnt want it to big or too small. It was perfect. 

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

We call each other babe...thats about it. I know boring!

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

Just 3? 

1. He balances me out. I can be pretty uptight and unorganized, he helps "takes the stick out of my ass" but also balances my unorganized, sloppiness.

2. He is so patient! I am a learn by making mistakes person. Always right until I am proved wrong. He lets me make mistakes and doesn't hold them over my head. Sometimes a little I told ya so is in order though :)

3. He is sooo smart and hard working. It took him some time to find his way back to school (glad he did otherwise we NEVER would of met). But he is about to finish his masters w/ a 4.0 and will do great in the business world. He works super hard and takes great care of me. 

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

He TOTALLY surprised me! He proposed at the end of July 2010 at his college graduation in full cap and gown! We had just talked about it a couple days before and he was all like no, not anytime soon we cant afford it...Then a couple days later he did it right after his graduation ceremony outside while we were taking pictures. EVERYONE knew but me! 

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

A mix really. Depends on the situation. But mostly a teddy bears and flowers guy. Which works perfectly for me. 

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

Again, a mix. It depends. If we are on vacation then hell ya sunset dinner on beach works, but normally I am pretty much a homebody. 

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

We would love to do a cruise around Europe one day. We love to travel. 

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. 

Not much. His dad will  be in town visiting...so nada is my guess. Or will do something before he gets here. But Michael also has a lot of basketball (he refs high school bbal and its playoff time).

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

I did ask for flowers :) I love flowers! 

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. 

My aunt and uncle shared this one with us - laugh! If you cant laugh at each other then you will be miserable. 

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.