Food City Proposal

I am participating in Kelly's Korner--Show Us Your Life --How I Met My Husband.

I met my husband during one of the most difficult times of my life. I had been separated from my first husband for 5 months, had just graduated from nurse practitioner school and was preparing for my certification exam, and had recently been diagnosed with cervical/uterine cancer--a very rare type called clear cell adenocarcinoma. Unfortunately, I had to have a hysterectomy in July 2004. I was definitely not interested in starting any new relationships during this time... 

One of my best friends had grown up with Robby, but I had never really met him. We had actually went to high school together, but I was a senior when he was a freshman --that's right--I'm a cougar! After my surgery, I began spending a lot of time with my girlfriends. Robby was best friends with one of my best friend's younger brother and so they would sometimes go out with us. After several months, Robby developed a little crush on me and began asking me out. Again, I was not interested in dating during this time, but he was very persistent. He began sending  roses to my work everyday for about 3-4 weeks before I finally caved and agreed to go out with him (LOL--I know he is going to kill me when he reads this). By this time, I really did like him, but I knew I could never have children and I really didn't want him to be with me and give up his chance to have children. We finally began dating in November of 2004 and he proposed on February 12, 2005.

We had only dated a few months, so I was definitely not expecting a ring. We were on our way to dinner when he pulled into the parking lot of Food City (I know--this is hilarious). Because it was just 2 days before Valentine's Day, there was a booth set up to sell roses. Robby told me he wanted to stop and get some roses for his mom. I noticed when he was coming back toward the car, he was carrying a dozen pink roses (for his mom) and a dozen red roses (for me). I can remember thinking how sweet it was that he had bought me roses. When he opened the door, he handed the roses to me. I looked down at the flowers and saw an opened jewelry box with a beautiful engagement ring sitting inside. I almost passed out. I didn't know what to say. Then, the words just fell out of my mouth, "Oh my God! What is that?" Robby just started laughing, then I said yes.

We were married on May 20, 2006 in the front yard of his parents' home. It was one of the best days of my life. I am so grateful to share my life with someone who makes me laugh & smile everyday.

 

                                      

All photos by Suzanne Deaton Photography.