~How I Met My Husband~

One evening in late March or early April of 2013, a friend called and asked me to go out with her.  I graciously declined because I was having a bad day, but after a few minutes she was able to talk me into going with her.  Now the mad dash to shower and do my hair and make-up was on.  I must have tried on more than ten different outfits before I was satisfied with how I looked.

I hopped into my truck and I drove over to her house.  When I arrived she was still getting ready, so we chatted as she finished her make-up.  She asked if we could stop to see a friend of hers real quick at the bar on the corner because he was there in a pool tournament.  I figured why not and agreed we would stop by there.  Little did I know my entire life was about to change.

When we pulled up to the bar on the corner a man walked out the front and will silly, funny animations with his hands acted as if my truck lights were blinding him.  I quickly turned off my lights and I found this funny stranger to be incredibly handsome.  That shocked me because I had not dated in two years nor had I found anyone attractive in that period of time.  I just was not interested until now.

It turns out that this handsome man was her friend Kenny.  She introduced us to one another and we stood their while they talked for a brief moment.  She and I took seats at the bar in front of the video game and began playing games.  After a few minutes she went to talk to someone while I continued to play the games, all the while looking back at Kenny every few minutes only to catch him looking at me each time.

Finally, in what seemed like forever, he came over to talk to me.  He asked me where my friend went and I told him I was unsure maybe the bathroom.  We awkardly chatted for a few minutes and he walked away and a few minutes later he, too, disappeared.  Unable to find either one of them I made my way out to the smoking section.

That's when I began to feel uncomortable.  The man and woman our there were nice enough but very weird, I can deal with weird but it was too weird for my taste.  I finished my cigarette and decided to just go sit in my truck and wait.  To my surprise, Kenny and my friend were waiting for me there already thank God!

The two of them finished their conversation and Kenny asked me in a concerned and caring tone, "You did not give that jackass your number did you?"  He was referring to the man in the smoking area.  Without even thinking I blurted out, "NO!  But I would give it to you."  I completely shocked him because he actually said out loud, "Umm Umm Umm!"  The three of us laughed and he had to go so he said he would get my number from our friend.

We then went on our way to our destination and had a lot of fun.  My kept wandering off thinking about the mysterious Kenny I had met earlier.  I giggled more than a few times to myself because I could not believe I blurted that out to him.

The next day my friend called to let me know Kenny had asked her for my number.  We were both excited and she told me what a great guy he was.  Three very long days went by before he finally called me.  The conversation was short and awkward.  He called me everyday for about three days and the conversations were always short and awkward.  One of them ended with him saying, "You have a funny laugh."  Which left me wondering funny as in ha ha or funny as in I should not laugh anymore?

We finally decided to meet at my house one evening to have a cocktail and go from there.  We quickly discovered how much we had in common and how comfortable it was talking to one another.  Before we knew it, it was 3:00 am.  The hours that had just passed only seemed like minutes.  From that evening he never left except to go to work and on April 26, 2013, we officially became boyfriend and girlfriend.

A few months later on July 24, 2013, he asked me to marry him with the most stunning ring I have ever seen. Obviously, I said yes and on our one year anniversary April 26, 2014 we were married.  I finally found my Prince Charming and have only just begun to enjoy my Happily Ever After!  And to think I almost did not go out that night.

©2014 Lysa Wilds

Our Dream Wedding Turned Circus

After nine long, grueling months of planning our dream wedding, right down to the tiniest of details, nothing could have ever prepared us for what happened that day. Several weeks prior to April 26, the weather forecast was predicated to be 91°F that day. Which had me terrified of passing out in the long sleeve, vintage, wedding gown my Mother and I had restored.

Then just a few days before our wedding the weather forecast made a drastic change. Now there was a good chance of thunderstorms and the high for the day dropped to 71°F. The rain chances sent me into a panic for we were to be married outside at a mountain preserve with our reception to follow there as well.

I had remembered from an old Jewel song that rain on your wedding day wasn't a bad omen. So, immediately, I hopped on Google where I quickly discovered it was indeed good luck. The panic subsided and I got the perfect umbrella just in case.

After several hours of hair and make-up the morning of our wedding day I truly felt like a princess with my entourage of favorite ladies surrounding me. Suddenly someone realized the time and we made a mad dash out the door as we raced to my wedding.






The first thing I noticed upon arriving was that nothing was decorated. I was puzzled because I had a whole team meet that morning to decorate for me. Well, as soon as I opened the car door to get out I quickly realized why. My veil flew out of my hair and my beautifully sculpted hair was just a mess. There were 30 mph wind gusts! I laughed at the insanity and said, "Well, at least the rain has stopped."





Kenny, my soon to be husband, had been setting up there at the preserve that morning and was running behind himself. I didn't stress once because it was our day! Besides, we're always late for everything anyway. tee hee So, I just decided to have an impromptu cocktail hour before the ceremony began.

Then, all of a sudden I heard my step-daughter, Sonnie, yell, "Hide! Dad's pulling in!" So, I took off running in my hot pink heels with the long train from my gown bunched up in my hands up an embankment no less. Well, what else was I supposed to do? It would have been bad luck for him to see me before the ceremony so I had no choice. God must have been carrying me because I'm in a wheelchair quite often. Later I was told how hilarious the sight truly was.

As I'm hiding off to the side our minister, who is a dear friend of mine from high school, drops a major bomb on me. He insists that someone has to give me away. (My Father and brother had already declined months before.) Thankfully, another childhood friend jumped at the chance to do the honors! So arm in arm we we began to slowly make our way out from where I was hiding.



The procession music began to play and the winds calmed almost as if it was their cure to do so. The ceremony was beautifully, heart touching and brought tears to several eyes. David, our minister, blessed our marriage with a prayer after our vows, and introduced us as Mr. and Mrs. Wilds for the first time. As we walked down the aisle I saw my friend Laura wipe tears from her eyes and a few fell from mine.







We barely finished signing our marriage license when the 30 mph wind gusts picked up again but this time even stronger. The chairs from the ceremony took flight, two large speakers blew over, all of our jello shots blew away, and a dear friend of mine was impaled in her leg with a branch. Thankfully she was ok!

Without hesitation Kenny and I announced that we would move the reception to our house. But, my sister, Mellisa, and brother-in-law, Frank, insisted we move the reception to their home instead. Within a matter of minutes everything was loaded up and ready to go thanks to all of or guests lending a hand. It was seriously a circus and I kept looking for the little car with a ton of clowns packed inside of it to pull up.


(This was an uprooted tree blocking all of the East bound lanes as we left the park. Once we got to the other side of the tree we noticed it had actually fallen on a car!)

The last minute change of venue for our reception didn't put a damper on the festivities at all. It was beyond fabulous and so much fun; even more than I ever anticipated!








I am always saying how my life is like a circus, so why would my wedding be any different? Despite the chaos it truly was my perfect wedding day just as I have always dreamed of. Because at the end of the day I married my best friend and my one true love!



There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord was watching over us on our wedding day and everything that unfolded was all in His master plan. The winds stopped and the storm calmed just long enough for our ceremony. Also, my mother-in-law is in bad health and wasn't able to make it to our wedding...but my sister and brother-in-law live right down the road from her. It gave us the chance to stop by and spend a few minutes with her on our day. Being able to see Mom truly made it the perfect day!

©2014 Lysa Wilds

Today is Finally My Wedding Day!

Well it is finally here, my wedding day!  I am like a child on Christmas Eve and have not been able to sleep because I am excited and nervous at the same time. 
I had given up on love and dating all together for about two years until my knight in shining armor came along with the glass slipper that actually fit perfectly!  Kenny is the love of my life, the half that makes me whole, and everything I have ever dreamed of in a man!
Just wanted to share my excitement with the world! In 5 1/2 hours I will officially become Mrs. Lysa Wilds!  Can't believe the day is finally here!
I have written a blog but haven't had time to post it with all of the last minute preparations but will post it soon!  Here's wishing you all a perfect day just like mine will be!
<3
~ Lysa

©2014 Lysa Wilds

The True Meaning of Self Love; My Personal Journey

All of my adult life I've heard you need to truly love yourself or you will never be truly happy, find true love, and so on.  I honestly thought I loved myself and was confident that I knew who I really was so I didn't know what all the fuss was about.  I mean doesn't everyone love themselves, I would find myself thinking.  Then, a little over two years ago I was diagnosed with an incurable disease that progressively got worse. 


I alienated myself from the world and for more than a year I locked myself up in my house, only leaving when absolutely necessary.  I only allowed a few friends to see me in this weak and vulnerable way.  I was embarrassed of my wheelchair, the weight I was gaining, and the way the bones in my feet were being deformed. 


It was then, at the weakest, most loneliest time of my life when I realized not only that I didn't know who I was but that I never really loved myself either.  I also realized I had spent my life always putting everyone else and their needs first, ignoring my own real needs.  It was a long, lonely journey but slowly, with lots of tears, I began to get to know myself and what I did and didn't want in my life. 

I reflected on every aspect of my life focusing on the good and bad outcomes of past events.  Some things that I didn't want to face, some that brought back tremendous pain, and many things I didn't want to admit were my fault.  Now that was a real eye opener.  What I realized was that if I would have truly loved myself back then things probably would have turned out much different.  

If I wouldn't have done this self-reflection I don't think I'd be getting ready to walk down the aisle in two weeks like I am doing today, nor would I have finally known what true love was like.  I can honestly say that I now not only know who I am but I truly love and respect myself. Something that is still new to me. 


I have slowly come to terms with my disease thanks to my self-reflection and my amazingly supportive fiancé, Kenny.  Slowly my confidence continues to return and the new and improved Lysa gets stronger mentally and physically every day, as this is a life long journey.  


I can say for the first time in my life that this is who I am; take it or leave it, makes no difference to me.  I found out what it truly means to love yourself, I dare you to do the same!

     xx

Lysa

© 2014 Welcome to My Circus