Rick and Jan

[amisteratwisterandme]

Testing testing testing

[amisteratwisterandme]

Sorry! Am new here and I wrote out a very long post and it got lost somewhere in cyber-land I guess.

Ricky and I met about 5 years ago. We both worked at a lake, separate companies but we were always in close quarters. We were both in relationships at the time, mine off and on for ten years and his fairly new, about 6 months or so.

We became fast friends and he would help me with some of the heavy items that I had to carry down to the boat (tour boat) and I always thought he was a nice guy but that was about it.

In the summer of 03 my grandma (mom's side) was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer, so I decided to take a leave of absence to move in and take care of her as I didn't want a stranger doing it. I decided to work at night long enough to pay for my retirement, so that I didn't lose it, but that meant instead of doing tours, I would be oing maintenance on the boat itself! Painting, grinding, sanding, staining, that sort of thing. He would always come down and help me, teaching me how to use the power tools and such. He was the only person who would listen to me about my grandma and how hard it was taking care of her an watching her die and only getting one night a week break from the day to day nursing of her. When I called my then boyfriend to tell him about the situation (he lives over an hour and a half away) his reply was that, well, we all have to die sometime. That really upset me. I am completely aware that everyone has to die, but did he have to be so insensitive about it?

This started me on a journey of self-discovery. I would watch how Rick would treat people and I started to realize that I deserved to be treated better than what I was getting. When my grandma died, it took my boyfriend 5 days to call me back. His excuse? His cell phone broke and he didn't get a new one until then. Apparently his house phone was broke as well!:worm:

Over the next few months, I started pulling farther and farther away from him, finally realizing that if it hasn't worked by now, it was never going to.
In January of 04 my boyfriends mom died, and he only called me once over the two week period that he was away for the funeral. I knew than that I would never be as important to him as he was to me, and I broke it off with him. Rick had broken his relationship off sometime before that.

Ricky and I started hanging out more, and I would watch how he amazing he was with the things that are most important to me. He would intentionally run in front of an older couple to hold the door for them, or mow my neighbors yard because she was by herself, or stop a veteran and thank him for his service.

The first moment I started thinking that this guy may be more to me than a friend was at a family funeral. He traveled 3 1/2 hours with me to the funeral, and this is the first time he met my family. I introduced him fleetingly to my grandmother (dad's side) and within 10 to 15 minutes it started raining. He turned and looked at me and asked if my grandparents would have an umbrella in their vehicle (they were on the other side of the service) and I said yes and he went to the vehicle and got my grandma her umbrella. I thought that was pretty sweet. After the service he formally introduced himself to my grandfather (whom I adore) and told him that his granddaughter was the smartest and most beautiful women he has ever met! It was at this time that I seen him through new eyes. Before this I wasn't attracted to him, but little by little that changed.

Over the next few months we gradually became a couple. We don't have an anniversary, as things just gradually fell into place. When I jokingly told him we needed to get one of those his reply was automatically December 21rst. I was puzzled and asked him why and he said that it was the longest night of the year. To this I replied, "why, because this relationship feels like the longest one of your life?" His reply was that no, it meant we had a longer night to celebrate. He is smooth, that's for sure!

We have been discussing marraige for the last few months. I have always said that unless I found a man like my grandfather I would never get married, so to me it was never an option) Well, I found him, and I wasn't even looking. Funny thing is, our paths have crossed many times over the last 15 years, but we never met. His mother passed away about 10 years ago, but I knew her from a precious job I had. This means so much to him. He actually thinks he remembers seeing me back then when he was with her. A few years after that he lived down the street from one of my former boyfriends. Fate is strange.

I don't expect a formal engagement any time soon. We are thinking of getting married on September 3rd, 09 in honor of my grandparents who will have been married 66 years by that time. (and still madly in love)

He did tell me that I can go ahead with planning the wedding, as it will happen. I have never before thought I would get married, so never envisioned my dream wedding. So I am having fun with this one.

We have decided to make it about us, and not what everyone thinks a wedding should be, so our theme is going to be Past, Present, and Future as his obsession is WWII and mine is family history. I hope to implement a 1940's theme for the war, and family military pictures or wedding pictures through out the years as well. Maybe I should go with the theme of nostalgia, hmmm... Have to think about that.

[PGDesigns]

What a cool story of fate! Welcome to OW!

[amisteratwisterandme]

What a cool story of fate! Welcome to OW!

Thank You! I love these ladies.

[Brad's Bride in 08]

Welcome to OW! What a sweet story! I can't wait to see all of your wedding planning!

[StarCoveter]

My goodness! What a well-written and beautiful story! I loved reading it and it sounds as if you two are meant to be together! Rick sounds like an amazing guy! Good luck with all your planning, and we're all here for you! :)

[acidcookie]

A great story! And your theme sounds wonderful!

[amisteratwisterandme]

Thank you guys! I found this site by chance and am already completely addicted! I love how everyone is so supportive of everyone else.

I think I have most of the wedding planned out already, but don't want to start a journal until later, as we really haven't set a date yet. I have gotten some pretty cool ideas from all of you.

[MrsKittyManes]

Aww you're story's so sweet. And yay! another Arizonian. :D

[brendalin]

I jsut read through your story! WOW! I can't wait to hear more about your planning! It sounds like you have found yourself an amazing man!

[amisteratwisterandme]

Yeah I seen a comment you made earlier and seen that you were from AZ.

[amisteratwisterandme]

Brendalin,

Yours is one of the journals I read religously! Your story sounds great and I can't wait to see everything you have put together for your wedding. I thought for a few minutes about a fall theme and it seems amazing. But, Alas, I am super excited to put my own personal touches, and of course, Ricks, into my planning.

On another note, YOU POOR GIRL! 430 invitations sent out? You are brave...Very very brave. My utmost respect to you. All I can think of is how I can get away with as few guests as possible as I have tons of relatives.