Does This Blog Make Me Look Engaged?

January 2016.

Interview at Olive Garden. 

Red orange peacoat. Above shoulder length reddish-blonde curled hair. 

Because of my previous experience and training at another restaurant, that almost guaranteed me a job. I could tell that they were excited to have me join the team as “To-Go Specialist.” In order to train for this position, I had to be trained as a server. And the rest is history. No need to harp on that story.

I also had a job at Logan’s that I never started. 

January 2016.

Mt. Juliet, TN Planet Fitness off of Mt. Juliet Road.

I walk in. Matt wants me to meet one of his employees named Brittany. I thought, “Oh, no. Here we go.” I sat down at one of the tables and waited for her to meet me. She sits down and we talked for HOURS. And we were the same person. That is how I met my best friend, my soulmate, my sister from God, Brittany. Brittany, I love you more than words. 

I knew I wanted to marry Matt. And I knew I wanted a Neil Lane. And I knew Brittany was one of my best friends. So, to Opry Mills Mall we went! We went to the Kay Jewelers outlet and told the sales representative that we were not purchasing anything, but we would send my boyfriend back when the time was right. The time never seemed to be right with Matt and I before, but he was always my right person. 

I saw an oval double halo ring in the left corner of the box. He got it out of the box, and I didn’t expect to like it because it was oval (and now I have a lot of oval rings, which is funny). It was the first one I tried on. White gold, filled with sparkles, split shank. 

I kept looking back at it while I was trying on others and watching him get them in and out of the case. I literally tried on every single Neil Lane in that box. There were like 15-20 rings in there. I asked him to see the ring again. I tried it on one more time. I said, “This is the one!” Brittany snapped a photo and we left. 

Matt and Brittany went back to the jewelry store. He told her not to show him the ring, he wanted to look and see if he could pick it out. He looked at the case for a few minutes and pointed at it, “That’s Anna.” He chose the exact. same. ring. 

So, he got the ring. And I knew he had the ring because I went with him to pick it up. He texted Kaitlin, my sister and friend since 18 months of age, and tried to see if she could come to Opry Mills because she HAD to be there for the engagement. She said that she couldn’t, she had to study. He told me that he was going to surprise me and that it would be soon. We walked towards the food court and got some slices of pizza. We sat down at a table near the carousel. He was eating really slow and was acting really weird. All the sudden, he got up quickly, and I thought he was sick. It all happened so fast; I didn’t even have a chance to ask him if he was sick. He stood in front of me and got down on one knee, I turned my head and Kaitlin was there filming it! That was one of the best days of my life as was our wedding day. 

He wasn’t sick, he was getting the ring out of the box and bag without me noticing. She texted him again and said she was on her way. He was eating pizza slowly to stall time for her to get there. 

That same day, in the middle of the Opry Mills Food Court, we picked our wedding date: Sunday, November 13th, 2016. 

Living in Nashville, TN was honestly one of the best times of my life. I remember spilling spaghetti all over the carpet trying to show out with my server skills. I remember the weekly dinners scheduled with Kaitlin. I remember adopting Mardi and Wyatt and making Small Cat a brother. And oh, the chameleon and the gecko, Lorraine. I remember the litterbox in the middle of the hallway. I remember how cold the shower got if you didn’t shower fast enough. I remember the phone call with my Uncle Tom telling me how proud he was of me. I remember the Walmart we went to. I remember the church that Matt picked and one of the pastors that restored my faith in church and in church family. That man truly acted like Jesus. I remember the bowls we got from Target; man, those are the best bowls. I still use them. 

Now, that engagement ring that was soldered to two rose gold bands, is locked away. A permanent, “M,” is on my ring finger. He will always be my first love. Always and forever, forever and always, forever. We always said that to one another. If I say that to you, know I care about you.  

Love. Love hard. Forgive those who have wronged you and do not allow them and their damage to you walk with you. Forgive and love like Jesus does. Love. And never look back. Be fearless.

Thanks for reading.

Xoxo,
A