How about tonight?

Tonight, actually marks 8 years since my first date with Chad. So, it might be kind of hokey for some of you to imagine remembering your "1st date" anniversary but calendar dates in general are very special to me and always have been. Special occasions are milestones, doesn't matter how silly it may seem, they are significant. Sort of like mile-markers, it's good to be reminded of how far you've come. Not only do they have sentimental meaning, but they also remind you to be grateful for the initial special day, where would I be if this hadn't happened kind of thing? . . . I'm a date geek, I guess. -

For the past few days I've been reflecting on the way it all happened and how we reconnected. I've never journaled before about this or anything else for that matter. I'm terrible at putting pen to paper and getting my thoughts and memories in one place - for some reason it's more natural for me to type. I really want to briefly encapsulate our courtship - so type I shall. . .

Go there with me, will you? :)

Ok, on August 19th Betsy Ramsey (old friend from high school) married Russell Branam. Her wedding reception was a lot of fun because there were a lot of RCHS/Conyers friends there.

In particular, it was great to see Jill (Allgood Hill) that night, she actually predicted the future. (I never dreamed that this chance mtg at a wedding would be the beginning of a loving, devoted friendship- lucky me!). I had always admired her (as a former HHS homecoming queen/Lem's wife) and thought she was beautiful, so I tried not to stutter as she mingled and casually asked who I was dating and how I was doing, etc. I told her I was single and she immediately began conjuring up potential dating possibilities/Lem's friends and most of them, my old classmates from RCHS. She said,

"oh, what about Chad Balicki"?

he's single, do you know him?? - - and I was like, um, yes and

"nahhhh, he's not my type".

Ha!!!

I would eat those words a week later at Darren & Tracey Greene's welcome home party (at Wes Peters' home) after they were stationed in Germany for several years.

I arrived at the party and it wasn't long before Chad and I were lost in a world of laughter, music and attraction that lasted until about 2AM - I didn't want the night to end. I watched him play the guitar with his friends and make jokes and laugh with them and me, I was smitten. I think he knew and I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual.

He asked for my phone number that night and then called me at work that following Monday. We talked/flirted for a few minutes and he wanted to know what nights I was available to have dinner with him, I said - well, I'm free tonight, Thursday and Saturday and he said,

"how about tonight"?

I had to laugh out loud, what a heart throb, he knew how to push my buttons and make my heart sing. :) I loved how sure of himself he was, a quality that you don't typically see on your first dates and getting to know each other stages. In turn, he made me more secure and confident which drew me in to dating him and sooner than later falling completely in love.

This is the 1st picture of us together, one week into dating - we were helping Beka move. He met my whole family this day and they all gave me unanimous approval. :) (Except that Beka told me that he reminded her of Elvis, because of his dark hair, unique voice and lingo. Sort of made sense but this was a huge turn off for me, tell me he looks like Randy Owen and I'm there - thanks Bek, thankfully this didn't ruin it for me). To me, he has become so much more handsome through the years. I have to say that fatherhood looks good on him. =)

The next few weeks brought many dates and a boatload of giddiness. I remember Beka's husband David use to try and talk to Chad and mid-conversation, Chad would drift back and turn to me and we would giggle or share a thought and David would say, "hey man, I'm talking to you". Oh, sorry - back to reality. We'd just laugh and laugh. . .

This picture was taken 2 months later, at a party at Beka's house. Gosh, I was literally 'over the moon'. This day is inexplicably special to me, I knew that I loved Chad on this day. He sort of saved my neck at this party (a good story that I'll share later) and this candid shot and the look on my face says it all. . .I was in love and fighting it every step of the way. There had to be something wrong with this guy - he's too nice, he likes me too much, Beka said he reminds her of Elvis - but instead of running the other way (like I usually did). I (with a ton of encouragement from Beka and my besties) decided to stick around and "go there" with him, and go there we have - we dated for 3 1/2 short months and he proposed to me on December 14th, my ring, wrapped in multiple boxes was an early Christmas present and a complete surprise. We married one year later, on 12/1, the wedding of my dreams. I'd always wanted a Christmas wedding and we pulled it off perfectly. (thank you, Mom & Dad and Danielle - my best friend/wedding planner)

sidebar: Tracey, I have the neatest memories of sharing our courtship with you. I loved how you would call me the next morning at work after a fun date the night before, to see how it went and how you followed our love story like a good romance novel. You were so thrilled for me and I was grateful that I had a best friend to hear every adorably juicy detail. Those conversations and your excitement for me are treasures in my heart. :) Thank you!

Tonight, we went to visit Greer, Kevin and Baby Quinnlan at the hospital.

She's just precious!!! And, look at Greer - 2 days after a c-section. How beautiful is she? :)

We had a great visit. Just the 4 of us and the baby, sort of like being in their living room but not. Greer has been looking forward to her 4-day vacation at "the Mont". It was neat to be at Piedmont again and remember what it was like to welcome our babies when they were so tiny and new. We snapped this quick picture on our way out of the hospital. Chad had just made me laugh so hard I was actually crying and trying my darnedest not to smile like a total goof-ball.

Afterward, we went to Ted's (our favorite) - had a great dinner and reveled in the love that I am overwhelmingly grateful for,

I love you, Baby!

Thanks for plucking me out of single hood (in spite of my past), being so sure of yourself and putting me at ease, convincing me that it was safe to fall in love, not dilly-dallying around in the least as you bought my ring and talked to my Dad just 3 months later - - and ultimately giving me these beautiful girls that I love to pieces! Thank you for working like crazy so that I can stay home and be their Mom~ thank you for being such a devoted Father to them. I am blessed beyond measure and so in love with you 8 years later.

In the car tonight, this James Taylor song came on the radio - he's one of Chad's favorites and Chad played the drum beat on my knee and sang this song to me. I love being in love with the drummer in the band. :o) . . . I'm a Band-Aid. What can I say?