Second time around.

February 17, 1996,, is the date when I took another chance in marriage. I wasn't sure what I was in for. There was an age difference of 19 1/2 years but we did care about that.

We knew that this was not going to be a church wedding because I already had one. This was going to be his first one but years later I would find out that his mother would want one for her only son.

How I would mean my future husband of all places at our local firehouse. He has the vote that I need to get into the firehouse. That would be the fall of December 1994. He tried and tried to get a date with me. Finally, I would give in.

We started to date after the first date. I was in school to be a nurse. I told him Springbreak of February 1996 would be a nice time if we did get married.

To my surprise, we went the jewelry store and my life would be changed forever. The ring diamond was heart shape. We both fell in love with the ring. He asked me to marry him after he talked to my dad about this marriage. Dad said that you have to make sure that she finished school. He agree that I would finish. Every time he made sure that I would be at school 3 times a week. Standing at the door and bringing snacks.

Planning a wedding in 6 months is a thing to do but we did it. February 17 1996 at 4 pm.

The first step was to sit down and figure out who was to come to the wedding. He was a banker so that was easy for the people that he working with at that time. Next was out two families. Finally the people from the firehouse. of course that would be every one also.

The colors of the wedding are the step. It would be silver and purple of course since it was a winter wedding. Remember it February wedding because that would be when the bride would be on Springbreak.

Time to work on the vows. That was the easy part also. Pick out the cake.

On a snowy day, the future mother-in-law set out to the bakery that I want to use. Parking was the tricky part of this. I had to park in between two trash cars. I had to park between things for a long time but I did do it. The further mother-in-law was impressed with this. Said that you are an amazing girl and I know that you will make a good wife for my son.,

Now that is a story in itself. The bakery that I use was the same bakery that my family used for years and yes they had a file on my parents' wedding. It was going to be the same. That brought a smile to my father's face because he was happy that I used the same bakery and the cake would be just like their cake.

The list got smaller and smaller with things to do.

The wedding would be held at the firehouse that the vote got me into.

The Finish list February 17, 1996, the day my life would be changed forever

Who would know that a vote at the local firehouse would change this girl's life forever?

September 20, 1996, I would finish school and that promise was made to my father. Another change forever. We are going on 28 years this coming February 2024. I am glad that I made the change for the better.