Where to start? Three months ago today, I met a man that would change my life forever. We were instant friends from the moment we met. We laughed, we joked, we talked, and love began to grow quickly. When I looked into his eyes, I saw myself there. I saw my future there. I was scared, but knew that I had to have this man that God so freely gave me. It was amazing how quickly our love blossomed. We spent our first Thanksgiving together in Memphis, TN with his parents, who are wonderful people that accepted me as if I'd always been in their lives. Our first Christmas was spent with them in Sparta, TN where Mrs. Wanda bought us a small tree and decorated our hotel room for Christmas. We also spent time with my family when we returned. Jim drove to Sparta to see his parents before Christmas, got up and saw his parents, then called me early the next morning and drove back to get me. We spent as much time together as possible between our work schedules. We moved in together January 6, 2012 with the blessings of both of our families.
We lost Mrs. Wanda to breast cancer on January 28, 2012. We laid her to rest in the Roberts family cemetery on Wednesday, February 1. It was a very sad, but joyous day as we know that she is heaven with our Lord dancing and having a wonderful time. We miss her greatly, but know that she is with us always in our hearts.
On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, Jim got up and took my Explorer to get the oil changed, fluids refilled, tires rotated, and a very thorough (and much needed) wash. When he got home, we decided to celebrate our 3 month anniversary a day early by going to Red Fish Bistro at 64 and N. Houston Levee Rd. We were seated at a booth. We talked and laughed and ordered our food. Not that it matters, but I had shrimp and vegetable tempura and Jim had the shrimp and chicken combination plate. Jim placed both of his hands in the middle of the table and I placed mine in his. He rubbed his thumb across my left ring finger. He looked deep into my eyes and said, " Well, Erica, will you marry me?" Surprised as I was, I managed to catch my breath and slow my heart enough to smile and say yes! He slipped the ring from the palm of my hand and placed one of Mrs. Wanda's beautiful rings on my finger. Somehow, I didn't feel the ring! It was perfect. It was very private and romantic and wonderful. Of course, I cried. I was so very happy! I'm still walking on cloud nine! I managed to eat even though I was nervous and excited. He proposed about 12:30 in the afternoon with Lou Bega's Mambo Number 5 playing in the background. When we got home, I woke my brother, T, up and told him (which he already knew because he had already seen the ring). Jim called his dad who is very thrilled and happy for us. I told mom when she got to the house around 5. I called Meemaw and posted it on facebook later. I know I am going into great detail, but I don't want to forget this day. I want to remember every second of it, because I became the happiest woman in the world that day. I became the future Mrs. Jim McGhee!
This morning, Wednesday, February 8, 2012, I woke up in the arms of my fiancee with our baby, Rimmy, at our feet on the bed, and our girl, Xena, curled up beside us. What a great way to start our three month anniversary and our first day engaged! Thank you Father for all the blessings that you have given me. I have an amazing family, was given another amazing family, and a wonderful man of God, and two precious dogs to share my life with. You have blessed me with health, happiness, and above all...love. I hope that we can always be this in love and that Your love and light shine through every aspect of our lives together. Father, I hope that everyone that sees us knows that we are as happy and blessed as we are solely because of You and Your love. Thank you again Father! I also ask that everyone reading this be as blessed and happy as we are and that they remember that You are the reason for everything. You are the giver of life, love, and happiness! Amen!
