Monday, April 02, 2012

a little bit of the story of us....



i'm thinking there were some that doubted we should marry.
yet,
i know there were some that felt it would be a great thing too.

but i knew beyond a shadow of a doubt.... 
it was going to be wonderful!

it had only been a couple years since my gregg had passed away.

i had met dan & gregg at the same time, 
they were roomates.
while they had many similarities~
tall dark & handsome basketball coaches
who both loved the lord
both were very smart
& both had a great sense of humor.
they were very very different.

dan actually intimidated me a bit back then.
he was very intellectual & maybe a little quiet when i was around.
gregg was very outgoing & quite the life of the party.
he drove a convertible and a motorcycle.
wild curly hair, shirts untucked
he was flirt
where dan was very reserved.
buttoned up & tucked in.

dan was a groomsmen in our wedding.
he was quite the eligibile bachelor.
i remember saying,
when that boy marries,
he's gonna love that woman forever.

a few years after gregg passed away,
 dan ended up as an administrator at the school where savannah 
was attending kindergarten ~~
i fell hard.
he was so gentle and protective of me
he knew gregg, better than i did, and that brought me great comfort.
he would come over & play with the girls.
usually barbies.
true story.

i felt so safe with him.
it was so natural.


we married outside in a garden 
april third
in the morning.
a four string quartet played lovely music
not a cloud in the sky.
the fragrance of flowers in the air.
he promised to be with me forever
& promised the girls to love them as their daddy.

he adopted them a couple years later
& we legally changed their names.
emi was a newborn when gregg passed
& madi was 19 months,
but savannah was 3 and "knew" her daddy gregg.
we dropped her middle name & added miller
(that was my married name with gregg)
we would all have the same last name
as a family.

if you didn't know dan wasn't their biological daddy
you'd have no reason to wonder.
incidentally, people would tell us how much madi
looked just like her 'daddy' (dan) all the time.
those blue eyes.

thirteen years later
i can't even begin to imagine my life without you dan.
you are my soul mate
you've never raised your voice at me
you always put the toilet seat down
& take me out to eat....whenever i ask...& let me chose the place too.
you don't throw dirty boxers on the floor
you empty the dishwasher.
i know you'll never leave me
you promise me that. frequently.
you tell me i'm the only one you've ever loved.
you tell me that. often.
you give me your full attention
& take me to seaside.
you are gentle and strong
loyal and good
you truly love us girls unconditionally.
you tell me that. every. single. day.

allofmylove2you handsome

i'm so glad you married me...




















61 comments:

Melaine Thompson said...

true love story! xoxo, gave me tears! Melaine

fleurcottage said...

you are blessed...thank you for sharing this piece of you story! Esther

Bravehearted Beauty {formerly LLH Designs} said...

I tear up every time I read piece of your two love stories. I just keep thinking how God brings beauty out of brokenness. His story is all about redemption and restoration. Thank you, Lord!

You are blessed, my friend!
xo,
Linsey

Jeannine said...

Goodness, thank you so much for sharing your precious story. A blessed, happy anniversary to you ALL!

Michele said...

What an absolutely beautiful love story and of course your beatuiful words made me cry once again! You are so very blessed. Happy Anniversary! xoxo

Paige said...

So love this since I totally get it!

Stacey said...

How very sweet.

Pine Tree Home said...

Love stories are the best! Thanks for sharing such a blessing.

Deborah said...

How blessed you are. Happy Anniversary.

Tammie said...

Happy Anniversary, It is so special how you could find love not once but twice for you and your beautiful family. You are blessed.

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary! you are both lucky to have found eachother.

Shauna said...

what a sweet story,
and so happy its a true story :)
wishing you many more years of happiness!

Shauna said...

what a sweet story,
and so happy its a true story :)
wishing you many more years of happiness!

Lesley said...

What a beautiful love story...happy anniversary!

Anonymous said...

What a LOVE STORY..
You are a lucky girl..
And the girls at your wedding are adorable..
Many many more years are WISHED for you and Dan..
HaPpY AnNiVeRsArY..

Kathie Truitt said...

Just so you know..I NEVER tire of that story.

Debby said...

Tears....a true love story. You were meant to be a couple.
Love the little flower girls.

Alecia said...

Oh man...you all are precious. What a sweet story & amazing words for your hubby. Happy Anniversary!

Lou said...

Paige - I love hearing this story; that such happiness can come after tragedy. It resets the balance and that give such hope. You write so naturally about him, happy anniversary! L x

Wendy said...

What a beautiful post. Happy Anniversary to you both! xoxo

Unknown said...

It's only 8am here and I'm in tears reading this!!

Happy Anniversary Paige & Dan, a truly wonderful couple Xx

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I am sitting here crying....

What a beautiful love story!!

You have been through so much and as you worked through the pain and sadness, God brought you and Dan together....and you created a life filled with lots of love and happiness.

You are definitely blessed.

xoxo,

Lisa

Between You and Me said...

Paige.....your love story with Dan is so redemptive..such a precious gift from God for both of you.

I sat reading the story, while tears rolled down my cheeks this morning.

I love how he loves you and the girls...

Thanks for letting us celebrate your sweet marriage today!

xoxo,
tara

Jen Kershner said...

You are a lucky, lucky girl. And you obviously know it! Incidentally, he's pretty lucky too!

CVGR said...

Thank you for sharing. I'm the daughter in a family that is very similar - we're all grown up now and I'm so happy my mom and dad have each other.

Sibi said...

Happy Anniversary to the sweetest couple we know!

I had to hand the laptop to Big Daddy so that he could read this beautiful story too...

He said.."I love their relationship!" and "Dan is AWESOME!"

So true!

You all have such a special anointing for marriage and family and we are honored to know you and call you friends.

Thank you for being such a beautiful example of love, faith, hope and recompense....

You bless me.

xoxo
Sibi

smk said...

so blessed with such a sweet daddy. you really know how to put him into words.
happy anniversary xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

How sweet. I'm sure when your husband passed you couldn't imagine ever being able to love and be happy again. Only God. Thanks for sharing your sweet story.

Simply Jen said...

Oh Paige...
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Many, many more years of love and happiness wished for you both.
Jen xo

Anonymous said...

Have been following your blog for at least a year now!!! It is my favorite!!! The way you describe Dan is the same way my husband is!!I also feel so blessed!! Would love to see some wedding pictures!! :)

Anonymous said...

I stumbled upon your blog when you wrote a birthday letter to "little bit" last year. I love the way you love!! You have touched my heart with MANY of your posts, but this is my fave! What a blessing!!

{edie} said...

i'm a big teary mess. there's something about you, your family, your story that just pierces my heart right through. i was telling my sisters about you this weekend and i can hardly talk about you without getting verklempt. i just love you miss paige-y. and that dan---preciousness. meeting you all made my year.
xoxo,
edie

{edie} said...

and i just read smk's comment. now i'm really gonna need to pull myself together.
y'all are my favorites!

Jboo said...

So sweet! You two and your girls are so blessed. Happy Anniversary!

xoxo
janet

Home: Inside and Out said...

It just never gets old , that story. I love seeing Gods fingerprints on your story! Happy Anniversary!

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

Paige, what a wonderful testament to your love and marriage! It sounds like a simply delicious partnership. Best wishes for many more happy years together. :)

Wanda Ammons said...

Oh my. What a beautiful love story! Thanks so much for sharing that and the pictures. Happy Anniversary to you both!!

Lindsey said...

I should have known better than to read this in class. Wiping the tears. Love your sweet story...such a great reminder of how God takes care of his children. Happy Anniversary to you and Dan! May there be many many more like it!

Art and Sand said...

I think I began following you because of the story of your sweet family. I discovered today that we have something in common. Today is also our wedding anniversary - 41 years. Enjoy many more years together!

martha said...

Happy happy anniversary to you and your Dan! Such a neat story, and i love how he played barbies with the girls back then!hugs from Franklin for you!

Anonymous said...

Dear Paige,

Congratulations on 13 years of wedded bliss!! I wish you 50 more!!! That Dan is definitely one of a kind.

Pat

Kelli said...

What a blessing you all are to one another! Happy Anniversary :)

Anonymous said...

You have such a wonderful story. The Lord blessed you with two wonderful men. Happy Anniversary.

Tiffany said...

Hi Paige,

Thank you for sharing some of your love story! This to me is proof that God is faithful! Proof that God knows our plan - what a wonderful fulfillment for Dan and YOU. I am sure not the way either of you ever thought it would come to be. Thank you for sharing this and showing a part of what makes a good marriage - I know its more than you write here, but its so much a part of it the man being all that Dan is to you and your family!

Thank you again for sharing - this brings hope to me!

xoTiffany

Kimberly said...

Such a lovely love story. Happy anniversary to you & your sweet hubby! :)

DeeDee said...

Miracles do happen EVERY.SINGLE.DAY!! What an amazing love story...God is so good!!

AndeM1 said...

Thank you for sharing your story......and your girls...oh my...how precious. Happy anniversary.......

Shannon said...

A sweet love story Paige!
Happy Anniversary to you both :)

Amy R. said...

I love your story! It sounds like you have a great guy who loves you so much! You deserve it!
Happy Anniversary!

Amy R. said...

I love your story! It sounds like you have a great guy who loves you so much! You deserve it!
Happy Anniversary!

Chez Zizi said...

Such a beautiful story. I was just thinking of you the other day. Have a lovely day.
Zizette

Lulu and Co. said...

happy anniversary! such a blessed loved story..thank you for sharing it with us!
wishing you a lifetime of happiness,
xo,
Lulu

katie purcell said...

TEARS AND SMILES AND TEARS AND SMILES. SO THANKFUL TO HAVE KNOW YOU THROUGH IT ALL. GOD IS SO GOOD. IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD.
I LOVE DAN. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOUR FAMILY.
XXOO

Anonymous said...

I can't even imagine. And If I had it I would probably mess it up anyway . . but it gives me hope, well, maybe hope is the wrong word . .it is NICE just to know it can happen that way.

Loved those last two pictures!

Louise

Susan Hood said...

Just sitting here looking for my kleenex, sweet Paige! Thank you for sharing your heart and your story. Love being in this journey with you for Noonday.
Hugs!
Susan

SSM said...

OM Goodness, Paige. You kill me every time. Tears....as I've said before where is the invisible ad for kleenex on your sidebar.

Paige, you are always pushing things to the limit trying new things (new careers, ventures, road races etc).

What I want to know is when you're going to write your own book...you could do it! :)

Happy Anniversary. You are a blessing to each other! :)

He is also a blessing to each of your children as well!

I'm so glad I married one of these gentle... men(who happens to be a man of God) Keepers for sure! xoxo

Sibi said...

I had to read it one more time.

It's like watching "You've Got Mail for the twentieth time. It's always so good.

Big Sigh.

Love,

Hopeless Romantic Me...
xoxo

So amazed by you two.

Jodi said...

I hope you had a wonderful anniversary! You are a beautiful couple.

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

You make it so easy to love your family.

Bethanie said...

precious precious precious...

patty said...

i've been catching up on your blog... :)

tender thoughts, this post, for sure... what a beautiful post, loving man. congratulations on your anniversary!

and hope your pup is doing better... i'm kind-of working on that right now, too. frustrating not knowing what to do to help them feel better...

xo

pattyx24 on instagram ;)