How I met my Prince Charming - Part IV

This is the last (sigh!) post in in a four part series. If you haven't read the previous posts and would like to, please click here, here and here.

It’s funny, when you’re dating in mid life, it’s completely different from dating in your teens. There are rules. Did you know this? Yes, many, many rules. Like, for example, to avoid seeming too eager, you should wait atleast 24 hours after the conclusion of the date before instigating any communication with said person on the date. Crazy, huh! I had several friends coaching me on common dating practices . . . interpreting Prince Charming’s every move. Seriously, it became exhausting. Why couldn’t we just do the note like in elementary school? Do you like me, check yes or no!

Another rule . . . he has up to two weeks to make some sort of contact with me. So, for two weeks, you sit around waiting wondering why it is taking him two weeks to contact you. And, if it takes him two weeks to make contact, is this indicative of how a relationship with him might be – only dating every two weeks or when he decides to contact me? Or, is he so not interested that he’s out looking and dating other women during those two weeks and then he forgets what I’m like, so he calls and asks me out on a date for a reminder? (Yes, I know, I have an overactive imagination!)

So, I’m guessing you’ve figured out (since y’all know that I’m currently married to Prince Charming) that he did call -- one day shy of two week deadline. Whew! Sure am glad ‘cause we just couldn’t date had he contacted me on week 2 day 1. Gimme a break! We dated a year before we took the plunge and tied the knot. We, like all couples, had some good and bad times, but we weathered the storms (literally) and came out stronger in the end. In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan decided to make landfall here in the Panhandle of Florida. The devastation we experienced was none like we had ever seen before. This event was such a turning point in our relationship. Prince Charming’s home was all but destroyed. It was a hard time for us both and we learned to lean on each other. I firmly believe that I was in love with him far before he was willing to open his heart to me. I think it was during this tough time that he realized I was the “real thing!” I was determined to be there by his side whether it was in a friend capacity or as more. From my first prayer, I submitted this relationship to Christ and he far surpassed my wants and my needs. My Prince Charming is a wonderful God fearing, Jesus loving man. Each day that we are together, we are learning more . . . about marriage, about each other, about parenting. I continually pray that we will learn how better to love each other and accept each other. We’ve come along way since that blind date in 2004.

To my Prince Charming, thank you for choosing me. And thank you for accepting me . . . the quirky me, the cranky me, the me that doesn’t always make sense. I do love you so much and am so proud of the husband, father, son, brother, friend that you are to us all.