Joanne

So, we actually met in a gas station in Broolyn, NY. At the time, I had a huge arguement with my ex-boyfriend about our daughter. As angry as I was, I never noticed the gentleman standing behind me when I stepped out of my vehicle to purchase gas. Hurridly passing him by, he makes a statement- He says, "You should smile. Your too beautiful for that." Without looking up, I immediatly start to snap at him because he did not understand my life dynamics, therefore how dare he! I commented "you don't know if I am grieving someones death or if I am depressed. Maybe I am not smiling because I have alot going on in my life." When I looked up, I tried not to smile. He was handsome. When I passed him by, I assumed that he would just get back into his car and drive away. I mean I did just snap at him..right? Well, my assumption was wrong. He stood behind as I was pumping my gas. "Excuse me. Is it possible if I can call you sometime?" My reply..."I'm sorry but I don't make it a priority to be picked normally at a gas station." He replied, "I don't usually speak to beautiful women in gas stations or ask them for their numbers, but here we are." I gave him my number! That was in January 2006. Our Engagement: I was at school, working on my ASN at the time, and he called me. He had a "surprise" for me and wanted me to hurry home. My birthday was a week away and he tells me it's my birthday surprise. Thinking not much of it, I take my time to get home. When I get there, he is waiting for me at the door. He says "I have yourbirthday gift and I can't wait for you to open it." I tell him why don't we wait for my birthday as I don't want to ruin the effect. He says "I can't wait that long." He hands me a ring box. When I open it, he says "will you marry me?" I looked up and asked him if he was serious! At the time I didn't expect that  from him (we were only together for less than a year at the time). He confirmed how serious he was and I said yes! I started planning right away!I started looking at venues, planning an engagement party, booking vendors, the whole shabang! I got pregnant a few months into our engagement. This would be fine as the wedding was more than a year and a half away! Unfortunately, we lost that baby at 12 weeks. Within 4 months time, I was pregnant again! We had our first little boy January of 2009 (my second child, his first). Our wedding budget was shot to hell, and I lost all or our deposits on our vendors. It was difficult for us, but we made it. Our relationship has stood many trials and many disappointments. Yet, our relationship has grown stronger and we have grown happier. I understand now that he was really not ready for that commitment 5 years ago. He started calling me his "wife" since last year and mentioning that we should do "something" wonderful when we get married. This would be my cue to engage him in a serious conversation ending with me being on a mission to finally set a date for our wedding. He wanted it to be in September. So we chose 9/7/12. That will be the date of our civil ceremony. Knowing that I really wanted to have a wedding, he told me we should have a "small" wedding to invite our family and friends. Being the person that I am, it had to be fabulous! I was fortunate enough to find Celebrity Cruise ships bridal broshure and sure enough it was right for us. So we are having our vow renewal on October 31st, 2013.