Hello Aidmates,
Many of you are already aware of my upcoming wedding which will be on January 15th. I will be marrying my best friend, whom I love with all my heart.
Some of the ladies here have been asking a lot of questions about the ceremony and my bride to be, so at the insistence of Tori I will tell our story.
Tori & I met when we were 5 years old in a Sunday School class. I made it my goal to tease her every chance I got, and she always put me in my place. We lost our first teeth together, started school at the same time, were baptized on the same day, graduated from high school side by side, and through each year, and each experience we became best friends.
Our families were very close and her grandfather was my Pastor until he retired a couple of years ago. Our families are so close that I call her grandparents, granny & gramps. Her siblings are like my own, and her parent's treat me like I have always been a part of their family.
After my mom died Tori became a very big part of my life. Then after I was diagnosed with cancer she stood right beside me and has been there ever since. I went through the grief process from the loss of my mom and then went through another grief process for myself. I felt I was losing myself and the mission God had called me to do. I lost sight of who I was and the demons of satan tried to destroy me.
Tori did not allow the self pity, or the depression. She reminded me daily of who I was even though I could not see it. She went to every doctor's appointment and every time I received bad news she was right there to encourage me to keep fighting. She quit her job in order to be with me and devoted hers days to my care.
We prayed together, laughed together and cried together, and then one day I looked at this lovely lady and realized my heart had changed. I knew I had feel in love with my best friend.
It took me a while to admit to her how I felt, and when I did I was surprised with her response. She informed me that she had loved me for several years, and was just waiting for me to realize I loved her too. Needless to say our lives changed from that moment on.
We had discussed marriage but I thought that would not be a good idea. I felt it unfair for her to marry a man that is terminally ill. I knew I could not offer her a life, and that marrying me would result in a lot of heartache, so I prayed and prayed and prayed until the Lord changed my heart.
Tori & I had our Christmas together on December 21st. This was the only day available for us to be alone before her family and our friends came in for the holidays. On that day I had several doctors appointments and while we were gone I had my friends decorate my home. She thought I was not going to decorate at all, but I had planned for it to be done at this time to surprise her. When we got back that evening my house radiated with Christmas lights and we could hear Christmas music playing when we pulled into the drive. I wish you could have seen the expression on her face when she seen how beautiful everything was. We shared some time together and at the end of the evening I ask her to marry me, and she accepted.
We made the decision to be married as soon has possible, because I have decided to undergo a very risky surgery the following week, and we don't want to wait.
She has been very busy planning the ceremony. The wedding party is now up to 12 of us and I hope no additions are going to be made, LOL. We will be married at my home, and the reception will follow.
Tori will be adorned in my mom's wedding dress and we will be exchanging my parent's wedding rings. My band will be providing the music, and I am sure Tori & I will be doing a couple of songs together.
We are very happy and are thankful that the Lord has blessed us with each other. I feel like the Lord has ordained our love and I know it is everlasting.
Now I guess those of you who know me well know that I cannot post anything without preaching just a little, LOL. Seriously I felt the need to share all this because because I am so happy, and because it proves God's love for us.
We all go through struggles, we all have those dark valleys that try to destroy us, we all experience suffering, BUT we do not have to be miserable through the bad times. We can sit back and complain our lives away, or we can seek the joy in living. Life is very difficult for me at times, but the blessings far outweigh the difficulties. Maybe I don't have a lot of time left on this earth, but I intent to spend the time I have seeking joy, and trying to help others whenever I can. God never promised any of us a tomorrow, so we need to cherish the day at hand. God never promised us a life without pain, but He promises to be with us and help us endure all we go through. Life is meant to be enjoyed and there is so much to be thankful for. Pray, commit yourself to the Lord, allow Him to lead you. If you can do this I assure you that happiness will follow.
I would also like to thank those of you who have helped me. Those that encourage, mentor, and love me. Those that have became my family and made me a part of theirs. catluv, Todd, sheshe, ekikaseven, nini, sandy24,and schmidty are all a part of my heart, and I could never express in words all that you have done for me. Your support has seen me through some of the hardest times and I could never repay the kindness you have shown to me. You are all loved and appreciated. I am also excited about some of my new friends. Char6 & friendshelpingfriends are nudging their way right into my heart also and I am blessed because of their friendship. To all those of you who have said a prayed, offered a kind word, or just listened to me "thank you".
One last request and i will stop. I would like to ask those of you who are close to my heart to please, be there for my Tori. She will be coming here on my behalf to let you all know how the surgery goes, and she will keep you updated on my condition. Please, make here feel welcome.
May the Lord continue to bless this site and all who are a part of it. May He touch each of you physically, financially, emotionally, and Spiritually.
Remember to be kind and reach out to someone. God Bless