Our "zero date" was at Bricktown and our first date was very soon to follow. Nate planned an amazing surprise date which included a Hibachi grill dinner, romantic Ferris wheel ride and dancing. The night was absolutely perfect and romantic and was my first glimpse of how amazing Nate could be.
Our first trip together included a romantic trip down to Dallas. We went to an amazing jazz festival with artists such as Mindi Abair, the Rippingtons and Alex Bugnon. It was then followed by a surprise Gondola ride with wine and serenading by the gondola chauffeur.
I knew I found a keeper when Nate was cool with attending theater with me and wearing costume. This rock opera was quite fabulous and represented another special and fun date in our dating history.
Nate surprised me for my 35th birthday with a trip to Kansas City to see THE FOO FIGHTERS (a dream come true for me). And then I surprised him with a beer and barbecue tour. The weekend was amazing and one of the first times we started to really feel, think and believe that this relationship was something bigger.
A special feeling then transitioned to the normal routine. Nothing glamorous, nothing romanticized-simple time together. Nate met Ainsley and had the opportunity not only to see me as a woman but as a mom. I then had the opportunity to see Nate not only as a man but as a father.
We tasted food across the world, rode the incredible hulk and race cars and fell in love.
A trip to Durant, OK to see Billy Currington at the amazing 5 star casino was another special weekend in our dating life. Nate and I are pretty good at balancing rock, country, jazz, casual flare and fancy inclinations.
Over Thanksgiving, Nate took me hunting on my uncle's farm. It was super special because the last time I went hunting was with my dad. This photo is also fabulous because I wore my gold, leather earrings on the hunting trip. This photo represents the peanut and butter jelly icon of US because I am country with a side of style and class and he is casual with a side of adventure-different but complementing.
Love was in the air when we decided to go to a thrift store and rent Santa Costumes. We joined 300 other Santa's that day and enjoyed a wonderful day of skiing. You know you've found the one when they will happily and spontaneously rock a Santa Beard over a ski suit. The best moment was probably when Jennifer wiped out on a tall blue in Santa Costume while other Santa's watched (and did nothing).
Finally on Saturday February 2nd Nate proposed on the very same gondola he took me on months ago. He invited my mom, daughter, cousins and one of my best friends-Estee. It was a perfect proposal and followed by a beautiful proposal to my daughter. I said yes and the rest is history.