On December 16, 2017 what seemed like a pipe dream after 27 years of dating (started dating when I was 17); I received my first “real” & hopefully last marriage proposal!
I am sure my parents broke out the champagne & praised the Lord for something they also figured would never happen.
I was single for most of my 20s and 30s, more single than in relationships, and the relationships I were in for the most part were shallow with an idealism of what can the person offer me, and not so much the other way around.
In meeting my fiancé Brian he was the first guy in many years to not put up with my crap, but also not to give up on me. I think in my initial meeting with Brian, I was wondering what he could do for me and I went through the various check marks of wanting a professional – check, good income – check, well educated – check, good grammar – check, good relationship with mother – check, check, check… Shallow checks, but what I didn’t bargain for was an incredibly emotionally intelligent kind soul. Pssssst, I assumed the horns would come out, but they never did.
Funny enough, what Brian finds most attractive about me is my authenticity, but I believe Brian demands my authenticity. I cannot get away with my cutesy bootsie manipulative ways or trying to get a reaction out of him; he always calls me out on my bad behavior, yet, he is incredibly kind and patient with me.
Before falling in love with Brian, I was a bit of a mess, I was trying to protect my heart and show a façade of what I wanted Brian to see, but that is the beauty of authenticity it tends to bring out the sincerity of others too. I am incredibly blessed that someone took a chance on me, which forced me to take a chance on them, as I probably would have continued down the road of finding faults in a plethora of men and faking it without never making it.
I never dreamt that I would be 44 years old marrying for the first time. I still have more songs picked out for my funeral than I do for my wedding. I was ready to throw the towel in & just accept my single status as I was happy for the most part. I wanted to meet someone, but I knew & know it isn’t the end all & be all to be with someone. However, being able to share yourself & your love with a best friend is pretty epic.
If it can happened to me. Golly & goodness, it can happen to anyone.
For all the heinous first dates, one first date finally paid off. And there were a heap of bad first dates…. Man oh man, a heap…
No date set yet, but I will be a Bride on a Budget 😉
Peace & love – Rachel
You Know Jacques! 