Slim Pickings?

For those of you who are familiar with the Michael Baisden show, he recently had a discussion regarding why a majority of black women stay single. (For those not aware, Michael Baisden is a radio talk show host. He has some interesting stuff, check him out sometime.) The discussion was based on the fact that 42% of black women never marry compared to 21% of white women (according to the US Census Bureau). Why is this the case? It doesn’t help that woman outnumber men population wise; but it especially doesn’t help that a large proportion of brothers are incarcerated, do not have a higher education, are unemployed, or have too much baggage like numerous baby mamas! The pickings are slim! I had an interesting conversation with a friend about this subject. He thought that black women don’t have a lot to choose from but that they also aren’t willing to date outside their race. Is this the solution to the marriage rate of black women? There aren’t enough black men who have it together so they need to go elsewhere? Personally, I think people should be open to love coming from all places. I love my black brothers. By no means am I saying that sisters should give up on them and leave them in the dust. I am simply saying that black women need to stop settling for less. Look at the facts. Nearly one out of five black men are unemployed, more black men are in jail then in college. Black women, want more for your selves! Don’t settle for a man if he’s in and out of jail or can’t keep a job. If that means you have to find what you’re looking for in a black, white, red or green man then so be it. And for the brothers out there, step your game up before you miss out. Black woman are on a roll. We are becoming more independent, educated and successful. We deserve a good man to love and marry us.

What goes up, must come down...

So marriage is a huge step that consumes your life for an average of a year of your life just planning. Then the big day comes and goes and its one of the best times of your life. Its exactly what you wanted and you are with your soul mate and nothing could ruin it. So why do so many marriages end in the two years? I thought that was the honeymoon period where everything was exciting and new and you have all these new changes in your life. Right? So what happens after the I do's are said, the guests leave and the constant attention from the wedding goes away?

Marriage is a blessing, it is not something that is owed to us or something that happens to everyone and I think sometimes we forget that. Just because we are married today doesn't mean we will be tomorrow. It is going to take work, compromise and communication. Sometimes you are going to be fed up and shut down or just want to walk away because its easier to be single and do what you want when you want than to have to come to an agreement.

First you move in together. If you both had your own place beforehand who's place do you move into or do you buy a new place together? What furniture will you keep? What if the one thing he wants in the house is the item you hate the most or isn't apart of your vision for the house? For alot of couples this is where the downward spiral starts. If you or him have a few personal items that the other hates but it makes the house feel like home to them does it really matter? If you hate the color find a slip cover for it or have it re-upholstered in a color you both like. Don't be surprised if guys want a say in what or how the house looks or if they have a vision of their own. Be willing to listen because they might surprise you.

After you move in its time to start talking about how you are going to handle the finances. This is the biggest cause for divorce and there is no right or wrong answer of how it should be handled. It's just what suits your relationship and personalities best. We have a joint account where all of our bills, groceries, household items and what not come out of. Along with that we get an allowance where we can do whatever we want with that money or nothing at all. This has worked for us because we have the same goals for the money and we can come to a decision on how we want to spend our money. Alot of strain comes when you have both decided to spend the money differently or you have an agreement and someone doesn't adhere by it. I know for alot of people this has been a big struggle. And at one point or another you are going to say or think that it was alot easier being on my own. I could do what I want when I wanted and I didn't have to run my plans by anyone but myself. And while this is true and you might be upset you have to remember why you got married in the first place. You got married because you loved this person and you decided to be with this person and in that decision there would be compromises. So maybe you can't travel to Greece with all your single friends this year but maybe you can save your money and next year you and your husband can get away to a foreign land.

Finally, family. While they are great for telling embarrassing stories from your past they can also be overbearing and over step their boundaries. This can be a very sensitive subject. you don't mean to hurt their feelings or your spouses but sometimes they need to take a step back and realize that your relationship isn't theirs. Sometimes it's not your relationship but how you are raising your children. But how do you get it to stop. I think one of the easiest ways to do it is to have the person's family it is say something first. They won't be as offended and at least then you know your spouse agrees with how you feel. If it continues you should definitely step up and say how you feel but in a respectful manner. You are still going to have to see them and communicate with them and they are your elders:). You can choose your spouse but you can't choose their family and vice versa.

You can't think your marriage is always going to be there you have to keep working on it. Once you stop you might to lose it. And nobody wants that. If things feel so overwhelming and you and your spouse want to work it out but can't on your own, don't be ashamed of going to marriage counselling. It might be the thing you need to help get you on the same page and what saves your marriage.

6 Months of Marital Miracles!!!!!

"I have learned to love the unexpected...for in its
miraculous...here is where we are shown...events that create our lives to be
more enjoyable, more loving, more adventurous than anything we could have
planned. Why do we think we know...when we let go..and trust..the mundane of
life becomes profound...leave your concepts at the door of fate...open your
arms...today is a good day."
~Marlise Karlin

Tuesday, January 19, 2010, Mr. Harold and I celebrated 6 months
marriage. We are so excited that God has brought us thus far even
though a lot of things that we have encountered in life, we ourselves don't count ourselves worthy enough to have these miracles :-)

In these 6 months of marriage, I honestly believe that our
questions of why so soon, why us, or just questions that we both have
wondered about were answered.........

As stated before I was married in July 19, 2009. We were suppose to go on our honeymoon the following day, but were unable to because at the hubby had to return to work. (The school was in the process of hiring a new princple, in the meantime, they had an intern principle) Which was fine for me because the most important part of the marriage is us becoming one so the honeymoon can happen anytime, right? So we return to Baton Rouge and things were lovely. We are both adapting to our new life, enjoying that when hubby returns home from work we can both be with each other and tell each other about our day. Around the last week of July, beginning of August, teachers were being fired because of the "transition". So we went on a fast and prayed. Didn't know what was going to happen but all in all we knew that God was in control. In the midst of teachers being laid off or being transferred to different schools, hubby was promoted to Dean of Students!!!! (Miracle 1)

Even though hubby wasn't in the number to be laid off or to be transferred, God had not laid on his heart to stop fasting. So we continued....

As the school year started things began to get tough. The position that hubby held was alright but at the same time, very stressful on top of coaching a football team that was very promising for the upcoming season. (The Lord laid it on hubby's heart to stop fasting.) In the middle of August maybe towards the end of the month, teachers and people in upper positions began to rear their ugly heads. The intern principle accuse the head coach, my hubby, and another coach of threatening teachers and having them change grades so that some kids that were ineligible (the starter players who were being looked at by colleges) could play. These people went so far as to getting teachers to write false statements against these coaches. In result, until the case was further investigated, they were put on PAID administrative leave until the end of the investigation. This was a tough one because hubby loved these boys and worked with these boys for the whole summer and sacrificed a lot to make sure these kids was studying the way they were suppose to to bring their grades up. (If you didn't know, in the south, FOOTBALL IS RELIGION and if someone sees success with a team and they are jealous, they will find a way to do something about it. Sometimes they succeed, and sometimes they don't.)

While hubby was on leave, he wasn't getting sleep. (I thought was related to the situation at work and maybe we needed to get away for a weekend) The first weekend in October, we went to Alabama for the Gulf Coast Classic and to see family. We had fun and it was exciting! Around that Monday, his mom noticed Larry (hubby) having problems sleeping and his congestion. She suggested that he goes to doctor to get check out (hubby hates the doctors!!!!!). So that Wednesday, we went to a doctor in Alabama. So we're thinking maybe at the worst he may have pneumonia. Well, needless to say, it was worst than we thought! Hubby had an enlarged heart that was over his ribs and his heart was struggling to pump!!!! The doctor told us to go straight to admittance and his room would be ready. (The first thing that popped in my head was to pray, not to panic. I was silent the whole way to the hospital, praying that ultimately that Gods will be done but that my better whole was alright!)

We get to the hospital and they're running test. (If you know my husband, he makes a joke on everything.) So while in the hospital he is making jokes and also hating the fact that he is in a hospital bed. They came back with results saying the same thing the doctor said and temporarily diagnosed him with Congestive Heart Failure. His heart was only pumping at 20% so they kept him to run more test to see whats going on and what they would have to do. So about 2 days go by, and they want to do a Left Heart Cauterization to see whats going on. He has the procedure and afterwards you know they doctor that does the procedure does the consultation with the family. (So as we are sitting in the room, my heart is beating fast.) The surgeon comes in and states the worst!!!!!!!!!! He says how there is nothing they can really do because there is no blockage. He went on to say that Larry heart is damaged and the only thing they can say is they will keep him on the medications and see what happens. He said that he sees some of his cases turn around! (SOME ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!) So when he leaves, I sit there for a minute. The only thing I could think of was to go in the bathroom and pray because when I cry I can't do it in front of my husband. So I go in the bathroom and pray. Come out, walk back in the room and his aunt and sisters are crying. (Oh Lord!) So I go take a walk and call my mom to try to process everything. That's when I broke. As his aunt is hugging me my mind was thinking everything. What am I to do? We are only 2 months into our marriage....am I about to be a widow only after 2 months of marriage? This doesn't happen to young people. My husband is only 30..why him? Where is the lesson in this? How am I gonna take care of him? We don't have any children yet? Anything you can think of ran through the mind of Dani Harold.......

Two more days went by and they ruled out the congestive heart failure and said that his heart is damaged because he had a virus about 6 months prior and it settled in his heart. He had to be on a strict diet, limit his amount of fluids and activity..which meant, no coaching for a while. The cardiologist then says that he believes that he will recover as long as he stays on the medications and the diet. (Miracle 2) The reason this was a miracle is that if he had not been on leave, he would not have gone to the doctors to get checked out because he can handle it himself :-)

Before we left the hospital, he asked me if I was ready go back to Baton Rouge. I said no because Baton Rouge, almost killed me husband. (Me not knowing that God was actually using me at the moment to speak to my husband) We stayed in Alabama for about an extra week, he then asks me how do I feel about staying in Alabama for a while until God leads us elsewhere. I said I was fine with it. (I actually loved the idea because at least I knew some people in Alabama as in Baton Rouge, I really didn't know anyone.) So as soon as we left Alabama, hubby went back to the school board to hear what they decided. They couldn't find anything on him but they said he couldn't coach for the rest of the year and they transferred him to another school. The school they transferred him too was horrible!!!! Then to top it off, the school they sent him too wasn't good for his condition at all! The school was a school for over aged kids who are troubled. (the school board knew this and did what they did anyway....heated can you say I was!!!!) So we decided that we were definitely moving...In a week, we put our house on the market and in a week in was SOLD!!!!!! (wow God really that fast...lol) (Miracle 3)

In the meantime,as we were getting ready to move, he received a call from his first head coach about a position in Atlanta. (This coach has been trying to get hubby in Atlanta for about 5 years now.) This is perfect! Were moving and job offer on table that honestly was in a city that you can continually grow!!!!! We also found out that we were expecting a little one! (They say some babies come when you are going through...lol...smile) Needless to say, hubby got the job!!!!! So make to make these 6 months shorter on paper.....lol. We moved at the end of November an because we were able to sell the houses, we were able to take our honeymoon, go to DC to see our family and friends, and relax from months of trails (SO EXCITED I WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!) (Miracle 4)

So January began our new life!!!!!! Living in Atlanta, new job, expecting baby and just exciting because God is doing big things!!!!! Bigger than anything that me or the hubby could explain.....

So on our 6 month anniversary, (January 19) Hubby had his 6 week check up with his cardiologist. We just expected you know to say he is showing progress...the norm....Well much to say...GOD IS STILL IN A MIRACLE WORKING BUSINESS!!!!! The did an echo earlier than planned and we were so excited to hear that hubby is doing MUCH BETTER!!!! His heart is pumping at 40% now which means that we are 85% back to where we need to be. We still have a way to go, but he no longer has to have restrictions and most of all Hubby can do his love again, HE CAN COACH!!!!!!!! (Miracle 5,6,7,8,9,10......lol) The doctor was saying that coreg (the heart medicine) is a helluva drug...I'm saying, no doc...MY GOD IS A HELLUVA GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So 6 months of Marital Miracles!!!!!!!!!! Who would have ever thought that in 6 months of marriage we would go through all our vows in 6 months. (Not I!!!) I'm just happy that what could have broke us only made us stronger. Not only that...we now know why in 3 months we were married. We needed each other in these times and had we had not adhered to what God was doing....marriage wouldn't have come up because of all that was happening.....I'm just glad that God guided me in what to do (it wasn't easy) but I can say that being a wife and going through make it all worth while :-)

I'M LOVING THE UNEXPECTED........"TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!"

Still a jet-setter

Before I met my husband I had 2 plans for my life: 1. To be married with 4 children, doing lots of volunteer work, and running my own business part-time AND 2. To be fabulous, single-for-life, traveling the world, and living in different countries as the mood hit. I was perfectly happy with both options but couldn't help to wonder what if I missed out on something by going with one life plan over the other.

Well...because I am now a blogger for this site you can guess that I'm going with option #1. This was almost a surprise to most that know me. I was always into too many activities, always on the go, and never really cared for boyfriends so many assumed I wouldn't marry until I was much older...if at all (for the record, I just turned 26 last week). After my now husband proposed and set a wedding date to occur approximately 7 months later I contemplated often whether or not I was actually ready for lifestyle #1 so soon. I mean, I had no doubt that IF I was going to get married, then this was definitely the one, but now that I've got that one...can't I wait 1 - 2 years more to actually marry? After sharing these feelings with a friend, our minister's wife (and co-marriage counselor), my fiance', and God I gained a sense of peace that I was doing the right thing at the right time. And the best part of it all is now I have a permanent travel partner(I just adore traveling!).

Since our wedding day, my husband and I had a fabulous and adventurous honeymoon in Mexico, I went away to California for a week for work, and I'm literally writing this blog entry on a plane returning from a Drought Conference (remember I'm a meteorologist) in Guyana.

Looking back, I see that though I've chosen option #1 for myself it doesn't have to slow me down. I don't need my own business NOW (but I'm working on it, visit: http://ilovepageantry.com/ ), I don't need to have kids YET (though when it happens we're ready), and I am still living that fabulous jet-setting lifestyle that I sat aside for option #2. I am thankful for my husband and him being so understanding and supportive of my desires; and I praise God for this overflow of blessings in my life because he has not only met my needs, but has also given me the desires of my heart!

-Angel

Overcoming the Impossible

My husband and I are living the life that no one thought would work.

That's a bold statement to make, but it's the truth. No, this doesn't mean that I'm married to a dirtbag. He's actually a wonderful man. What it does mean is that everyone around us let our circumstances dictate what kind of marriage we'd have. We already had a child. He had just gotten divorced. It was messy. But he was my first and only love. I've loved him since I was sixteen.

God told me he was the one. I stood on that, regardless of what people said or thought. And now, well, I can't give myself any credit for how well our lives turned out. We thank God for that.

The truth is, when you think about it, we weren't supposed to meet. Weren't supposed to fall in love. Weren't supposed to get married, have children, own a home, a partridge and a pear tree.

Okay, we don't really have the partridge. Or the pear tree (although, I wouldn't mind having one). But essentially we've beat all the odds. Especially to be so young and to have accomplished all that we have so far. When I look back, its hard for me to really put my finger on how we've done it. But the truth is, deep down inside I know.

We knew that God had put us together. Even from the start. From the moment he saw me walking the halls with my mother in high school (she was there for a function I was hosting), he told her I was going to be his wife. Of course, I got an earful from my mother about how he was sneaky and I was to stay away from him. But, that intrigued me even more. I mean, I had only known him for 2 days when he made that statement.

You know what though? Looking back, I'm glad he was right.

There's no one else I could see myself spending this life with. I've known him since he was sixteen and that was nearly ten years ago. We've been married three years now and have the life I could have only dreamed of. It's not easy, I won't lie about that. Especially when you throw in a few variables that complicate things. Like the military. Oh the military.

That one variable has created an aesthetic to our relationship that makes this very different from your average marriage. I think we're stronger for it though. In all honesty, most people don't understand how we maintain. But we do. In our own special way. Even in different countries, zip codes and time zones. When were far apart we're still together.

I hate that he's away from us so much but at the same time, I love him even more for it. Don't get me wrong. I often wonder what in the world I was thinking to marry a man in the military knowing he'd be away from us so much, fighting wars, saving lives and all that. Most people I know commend me for it. But honestly, it's the only way I know how to live. We understand what this kind of life takes. The amount of effort that has to be put into it to work.

Can I be real with you for a moment? I can? Okay great. See, this this thing here called marriage, is work. Don't let anyone else tell you differently. But the good kind. The kind that when you reap the benefits, you'll be glad you put your all into it. Marriage is one of those things that when you have two people who are committed to the covenant they made to God and to each other, there's nothing that can come against them to break them apart. And trust me, stuff will try and come against you to break you apart (that's called the devil).

Fortunately, this is the type of relationship we have. The committed to making it work kind. We've been through the water and the storm and we're still here -- loving and living. He loves me even though I don't clean toilets (I leave that for him to do). Or like to take out the trash. And even when I clutter the bathroom sink with my hair products or forget to wash his uniforms. It's love. It's ours. And it works for us.

That is so key. Doing what works for you, your marriage and/or relationship. Never try and model your relationship...your life, after something you see someone else doing. You don't know their struggles. What it took to get there. Besides, the road that's meant for you to take might be a lot easier for you to bear. Or harder. But, what is for you, is for you. The love you have is yours, no one else's. When you keep that in mind, you'll understand just how precious, special and unique it is.

But, I digress.

Folks oftentimes ask me how we do what we do so well. I never know how to respond to that. But I will say this. We communicate. We love each other. We understand each other. We give each other the space we need to grow (and trust me, there is LOTS of growing that happens when you're in a long distance marriage). We ground our love in our faith, in both each other and our God. When you have all your basis covered, its quite easy to overcome the impossible.

We did. And still do.

Were there obstacles you had to overcome in your relationship? How did you do it? Have you ever had to overcome the seemingly impossible?

Note: I chose a picture of our President and First Lady because they are a great example of a relationship overcoming the impossible. Read about it here and here.

The Transition

As a not-yet-married girl in a very VERY committed relationship (I had to emphasize so it’s clear that I am very much about my relationship) I often have questions regarding the transition between single girl to married girl. Let’s face it there’s no manual but it’s not exactly black and white; especially when you’re a young girl in her 20s. The majority of twenty-something, recent college graduate women of today are independent, driven and put their foot down when it comes to achieving their dreams and wants. I think of my close girls from college and all of them are successful and pretty independent. We come and go as we please, travel when we want, have our weekends to hang out late… so how is this all supposed to change once you’re in a committed relationship, and even more so once you’re married? I mean once you’re married what are the rules in terms of staying out late, friends of the opposite sex, taking trips alone, etc.? Don’t get me wrong, I want to do everything with my man and I don’t want to disrespect him in any way. It’s just hard knowing what qualifies as ok and not ok once committed and on the road to marriage. Is it ok if I take a trip out of the country without him because he didn’t want to go? Maybe now it is because we’re not married, so as boyfriend and girlfriend it doesn’t look as bad as say if we were husband and wife. But if we were married would it be frowned upon if I really wanted to go somewhere and he didn’t? If so, why? What if, to top it off, not only does he not want to go but he doesn’t want me to go without him? I’m used to thinking about one and now I’m considering my actions for two. I like that fact but what sacrifices come with it? Today I don’t have a ring on my finger. I can come and go as I please. If I want to hop on a plane tomorrow and see the pyramids of Egypt I will. Well actually I won’t because I don’t have that kind of money… but I would if I could! My point is that seems like a single girl move. How does this change when you’re a married girl and does it have to? I like to think not. I think that the modern women of today all have a little of their single girls selves in them even after the “I dos” and we’d be resentful of our significant other if we weren’t able to give in to her wants every once in a while.

It Finally Happened!!!

After 5 years in a long distance relationship it finally happened. We were engaged!! Although the journey leading to the aisle was a bit chaotic at times, we were finally getting married and that was all that mattered.



When I awoke the day of the wedding there was a clam and peace about the day even though I had over slept and if my MOH hadn't been there I don’t know if I would have awaken in time for the wedding. (Oh morning weddings, I don’t recommend them unless you are an early riser :)) After getting myself together and showering it was time for breakfast and hair (simultaneously due to my over sleeping). Once that was underway I had to give the groom a wake-up call. It was so nice to hear his voice since I couldn't see him or touch him. Our rooms were right next to each other so I could bang on the wall to get his attention if needed. I think the best part of getting ready was after the groom had fully awakened, I could hear him and his groomsmen laughing and joking about track and cars. He seemed happy and not nervous at all and that really helped me to stay calm. After I was dressed we left for the Chapel and in doing so we had to block off his door with bridesmaids to make sure he couldn't sneak a peek. Luckily I made it out unseen.



Once we made it to the Chapel I couldn't’t wait to walk down the aisle. I was in such a good mood that day no nerves, no anxiety, just pure bliss. Best feeling ever. When it was time to line up I just remember laughing and smiling. I was about to finally start my life with the person I was in love with and cared so much about. As the music started the bridesmaids and groomsmen started there walk. The flower girl almost didn't make it down the aisle but she pulled through at the last minute, the ring bearer was MIA but he showed up later in the ceremony and by the end everyone knew his name. At the ceremony there was never any pressure or uneasiness we sat on the alter and whispered and joked around with each other. We took it seriously but we enjoyed the day and each other. After the ceremony the reception flew by we barely ate our food the groom even missed his slice of cake because he was mingling with the guest. The reception was a whirlwind of dancing, food, greeting guest and taking pictures.



After the reception we went to our suite and passed out only to awaken shortly after to prepare for our after party. I don't remember much of it but from the pictures everyone seemed to be having a great time.



We have been married for over a year now and if I had to everything over again I would. My husband has been one of my biggest supporters and I can't thank him enough. He has pushed me and inspired me and we are growing together. I love you with all my heart!

Married in 3 months!!!!!

Love is as much of an object as an obsession, everybody wants it, everybody seeks it, but few ever achieve it, those who do will cherish it, be lost in it, and among all, never... never forget it.- Curtis Judalet

Hey lovelies :-) I hope as you are reading this you are in good spirits and in health and if you are having a bad day...well smile...GOD IS SO IN LOVE WITH YOU!!!! :-)

Let see, I guess Ill start here :-) My name is Dani Harold. I am a newlywed (5 months in the bliss) and a soon to be mother (15.5 weeks). My husband and I have moved to Atlanta, GA where we will be beginning again our lives together in the new :-) Before we were in Baton Rouge, LA but the hubby was offered a job that we couldn't resist!

As the title of this blog is married in 3 months, that is literal :-) This story is a real story of love at first sight but most of all of when God makes a promise to His children he will go through with that promise. My husband and I met the weekend of his cousin and my besti's (Angel) wedding. April 4th -5th, 2009. The whole weekend entailed of us wanting to meet each other and his family and my friends trying to hook us up...lol. Crazy..I know...lol. But at the same time it was the best thing that could have ever happened in my life. We hit it off as soon as we started to talk. My husband was living in Baton Rouge, LA and I'm from the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virgina area. So when he left to fly back home that Monday following the wedding, I awoke to a text message in a form of a poem from Larry (my husband) saying how he was glad that he met me and how I made that weekend one to remember for a lifetime. So you know I was bloodshot red after reading that...lol. As soon as he landed in Louisiana, he called me and I talked to him from the time he got in the car until both us just went to sleep. A total of 8 hrs! Yes, I said it 8 hours...lol. From then on, we talked and texted and talked and texted until we talked each other to sleep. I went to visit Larry at the end of April (yes in just some weeks lol). As soon as I got off the plane my stomach was in knots. I could not believe that someone that I have just met has swept me off my feet and I can honestly say that I love this man...wow. I stayed a week down there and it was so awesome. He showed me a great time and the part that I loved about it the most was that he was a gentleman the entire time. He wasn't one to profess God just in the church house but one who lived and talked the walk!

The day that I was to leave to head back to DC, we had a long talk about everything that we were feeling and how we were going to act on those feelings. I expressed to Larry that I loved him so much but I could not take being hurt no more. I prayed and let it go and the God lead my path to him. I just couldn't be sure if it was God at the time because it was so fast. Larry then expressed the same thing to me and assured me that all that I have prayed and asked God for was here and I just needed to embrace what God has set before me. He also expressed how he felt the same way and was just as nervous as I was but the God that we serve will or would let us know if this wasn't the right move. So, we decided...this is it...LETS GET MARRIED!!!!!!

When I got back to DC...I was just about sweating bullets everyday. I'm thinking to myself, I'm about to take a step that most people take years to decide that its the right move for them and I'm making this decision in less than a month. A lot of praying and fasting and praying and fasting went on believe me but there was nothing to say that God wasn't in this move. In May, I went back down because I was meeting his family and we were taking our engagement photos. We were to leave that Friday (May 15,2009) to head to Alabama. On Wednesday, May 13,2009, I had what you can call a mental break down in a way..lol. I just began to think literally about everything. Everything that I had gone through that led up to this point, his life and things he was sacrificing for me, what I was sacrificing to move and to be with him for eternity, just anything you can think of ran across my mind. Larry could see it before he left to go to work that morning. He then called me on his lunch break and asked me was this something that I really wanted to do? If it were going to fast that we could postpone the wedding and he would wait. He said that he could understand and that its no rush or pressure. But he then told me to pray and to read a scripture and that God would speak to me on what to do. Even though we already had our answer, sometimes when that devil begins to play in your mind or even just self thoughts...you begin to loose track of honestly what it at hand. So I did what I was told...lol. I pray and I opened the bible and I was lead to the book of Job. Remarkable thing about it was that it spoke straight to my life...to the life I was beginning to face.

Before I met my husband, I was comfortable with where I was not knowing that God was preparing me for greater at the time. And then I was broken down to a point where no one but God could bring me out and as soon as I accepted what God was doing and where he was taking me (of coarse not knowing at the time that I was being prepared for marriage) the blessings began to come in forms that no one could honestly understand or except but me and my husband to be.

I then called Larry and told him everything that I read and I'm in 110% and lets do this. On May 19, 2009 he proposed to me and on July 19,2009 in Daphne, AL @ 3:00pm we were no longer twain but one!

Now it is January 4, 2010, I'm loving my marriage, my union, my husband, pregnancy, but most of all, I'm loving that God never left or forsaken me and my hubby. We weren't tricked by the enemy thinking this was something that was not because even when we faced the questions, there was always answers, signs to say, this God and only him! Even though we are still in our honeymoon stage things haven't always been easy but the toughness has only made our love and union deeper. With us starting on a strong foundation, its impossible to break this union. :-)

Well, I think this is good for a first read...lol. More to come soon. :-) Be Blessed and remember in everything "TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!"

Meet the bloggers...

MIGNON

I'm a fabulous twenty-something wife to an Army Drill Sergeant and mother to two vicarious little boys and a precious little step daughter. I married my high school sweetheart six years after high school and although I currently reside in the south, and speak with a drawl, I'll always be a city girl. I am a freelance writer, music editor for a popular parenting website and will have completed my Master's degree in New Media Communications this summer. I love to cook (desserts mostly), write, read, dance, laugh and love. Being a military wife isn't easy, but it's a title I hold with pride (alongside my title as reigning Taboo champion). You're likely to find me someplace drinking coffee, obsessively stalking my Twitter account (@msladysoul) or saying my favorite phrase..."I'm just saying!"


ERICA

I am a happily married woman in my 20's and just celebrated my first year of marriage. Although we are blissfully in our honeymoon period my husband and I have been together for over seven years. With a degree in Art and Fashion I am all too excited to start/finish decorating our home. I consider marriage to be a full time commitment and although things are not perfect all the time, one should always strive to find the perfect balance in a relationship. It is always easy to make it when things are going well, but a true relationship is tested when things aren't so easy. To be able to get throught the hard times and work things out builds trust and lets your significant other know that you are there for them. I hope that this is my first and last marriage and I feel blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life.

DANI

My name is Danielle but most people call me Dani. I am a wife and soon to be mother. I continue to strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman. I am called to sanctification so I AM set apart from the world. God has created me in his image which is the B.E.S.T. Beautiful, Elegant, Sanctified, and Talented. I am a singer and pianist that really needs to learn how not to be so nervous! I love music and it loves me. Trials are what makes or breaks you and in all that- I have been blessed and allowed to see what has made me and is continuing to make me the wife and woman that God desires for me to be. Be Blessed.

"The Man and Woman who can laugh at their love, who can kiss with smiles and embrace with chuckles, will outlast in mutual affection all the throat-lumpy, cow eyed couples of their acquaintance. Nothing lives on so fresh and evergreen as the love with a funny bone." --George Jean Nathan

ANGEL

When most people meet me they find me to be a pretty unique individual...some would say one of a kind. I'm a meteorologist, a beauty queen, and a humanitarian. The meteorologist in me makes me a nerd to some, the beauty queen in me makes me girly-girl to others, and the humanitarian in me takes me to developing countries with respect to issues of food security and famine. When it comes to aiding the sick, disabled, youth and poor...I do all of that at home. I'm a newlywed (9 months strong!), married to a "preacher-in-training". This is no surprise to those that know me. I'm a woman whose steps are ordered by God and I seek the bible for answers, direction, and guidance in my daily walk. My desire to be a fabulous 21st century woman sometimes must be checked by biblical instruction and my greater desire to be an anointed woman of God. Here I'll share with you my revelations, motivations, and my ever-changing new ideas (I'm an entrepreneur as well). I hope to encourage other fabulous 21st century women, that despite pop-culture, you can be married now and still have it all!

NOT MARRIED YET

Growing up as a military brat has allowed me to experience the world. I am an open minded soul with a large appetite for anything new. My biggest interest has always been traveling. There is something romantic about making yourself vulnerable to an unfamiliar place and letting its culture open your eyes to a way of life you've never been exposed to. It wasn't until my current relationship that anything seemed to come close to this passion for adventure and discovering what this planet has to offer. It's always just been me and the world. Now I find myself in the life stage where my individual self has met a possible mate. Treading through unfamiliar territory, I share my thoughts on this new place I seem to have stumbled in. Let's call it Love...