Our Story...

The summer evening was in high form, warm and dotted with fireflies. It was June 18th and our first meeting - dancing at Centennial Park with friends beneath the backdrop of a live bandstand.

We closed the place down and went for dinner at RuSann's. I thought James was well spoken, well traveled and interesting. And, we enjoyed finding out we both ate sushi with our left hands!

*June 29th - The 1st date that James had to reschedule for the following week.
*July 6th - The 2nd attempt at a first date that I then had to reschedule. (Okay truth be told, I rescheduled to be a little feisty.)

Nearly a month later on July 9th we enjoyed that second date; to Ginger & the BMW car lot! Yummy ginger tea! She was a little wacky around the sides. Wanting to visit car lots after hours and see if any doors were unlocked.

James announced shortly after that he had accepted a job position in London, England and was set to move at the end of August. Strangely this removed some pressure to fabricate a dating relationship and allowed us to be friends first.

We went salsa dancing and ate Ethiopian. In fact, early in our friendship, James invited himself dancing with me; then he had to wait, as I was two hours late due to an unforeseeable delay! There were hikes at Radnor and an impromptu visit by James’ house to see about renting it that included meeting his family impromptu. How refreshing to be introduced forthrightly as, “Hey, this is Autumn, a girl I’ve been on a few dates with.”

July crept along and we couldn’t stop hanging out. Here was a man who loved to sail, climb rocks, eat healthy, travel, and who was fluent in Spanish. Having both attempted long distance we were not interested in that again. Yet, despite distinct differences, there were so many connections and similarities.

*August 21st - Breakfast at Autumn's, church, followed with lunch & dinner with Piro & Maureen. Cycling. Boyfriend and Girlfriend. (My feet followed my heart back to his car for a romantic conversation, '...You can say you had a boyfriend for a day at least, for that is what you have become to me, my girlfriend.' (I think we were both in denial about heading down the road of a long-distance relationship, but heading that way we were.)

James’ departure grew closer. As a preparation for work he flew to Jacksonville for a few days and we continued a tradition I had started while he was painting baseboards and finishing up the last details of his house; I read to him. We have since read five books together and continue to do so.

Then on August 26, after Salsa at Ibiza, the future had come upon us and we had to decide which road we would travel by. Knowing how way leads on to way and not willing to lose me James said, “Lets keep talking. Let’s make it or break it. Let’s discuss everything, politics, religion…I don’t want to risk someone else finding you.” “Why?” I asked. His reply became a pillar for the days ahead, “Because you’re worth it.”

Sunday, two days later found us packing all day; then swapping the renters into his home on Monday as he moved out. Anna and I drove him to the airport around 4:30. Excited about his future and the prospect of our growing romance we were undaunted by the 4,200 miles to separate us. However, by a providential set of circumstance, James’ plane was delayed, delayed again, delayed a third time and then finally cancelled indefinitely due to plane malfunction! He was staying in Nashville one night more! I met him back at the airport a happy girl and we shared another meal and deep discussion. It would prove to set us up well for the coming months where all we would have was our conversation and laughs.

Life is adventure and so over the months we traveled; to New York in October. I met more of his family at their reunion in Key West for Christmas. James flew to Oregon to meet my family. James came back to Tennessee for a short visit. I ventured to London for several weeks. Back James flew to Tennessee and back I flew to London.

Thanksgiving and Christmas came around a second time for us and James was again state side. We knew we had found quite a treasure in each other. We had discussed as much as one could thoroughly discuss; we had nearly broke it. There had been prayers for wisdom and enough seasons and time had passed that we both felt this was it.

Wednesday, December 26. James drove me back up from Summertown so I could work while he went shopping for jeans and shoes. A few hours later I called to meet up and ask about his shopping. Had it been productive? He hadn’t found any jeans or shoes! I thought this was odd since James was usually pretty efficient. I had wondered what on earth he had been doing for the past few hours but I figured it had been work related and didn’t think anything more about it. Unbeknownst to me however, during that time he had been picking out a diamond and ring setting.

Later that evening we were at dinner; we had enjoyed our appetizer and already ordered our entrée when suddenly James picked up his phone and said, “I need to step out for a minute. But don’t worry; if I’m not back right away, I’m not lost.” Disappearing for twenty minutes, I checked my emails, checked Facebook and waited. Our dinner arrived only moments before he returned and we carried on. Now, you might be thinking I would be catching on but I didn’t suspect a thing. After all you can’t rush these things and even though we had talked about engagement, I was truly okay with whatever our timing was. I figured it was a very urgent and important work emergency. What really happened however, was the jeweler contacted James to let him know the ring was ready and they closed at 8, it was 7:31!

James was then back down with his family until Friday. We had a date that night to Miel that was spectacular and a live band was playing salsa down at Third and Lindsey where some of our friends would be. The entire evening was perfect! Then upon bringing me back home he invited me inside for a glass of champagne that we had brought back from England. It was around 21 degrees and James wanted to stand on the back porch…that didn’t last very long! Once back inside, James spoke, “Oh! Look what I’ve found!” I turned to face him and there in his hand was a small box. Now, there are only two things that can fit in a box that size, earrings, or a ring. So, I replied as he was lowering down to one knee and asking me to spend the rest of our lives together, “Oh, those are earrings for sure, I know it!”

I looked him directly in the eyes and gave my answer, “With all my heart, yes.” At which point he then said, “Do you want to look at the ring?” I hadn’t even glanced at it yet!

We are so excited about the future! The journey continues and this is only the beginning. I will be joining James over in London as we pursue our British accents!

Thank you so much to all our friends and family along the way, we love and appreciate you. This story wouldn’t be nearly as exciting if you weren’t in it. So here’s a toast to the future and all her glory and splendor! Whether in tears or in laughter, may we continue to live fearlessly, love deeply and hold onto hope. Cheers!

New Address:

37 Hamilton Road

Flat 4

Ealing, London, W5 2EE

UK

Oh, how sweet it is!