Shawn and I met through work in March, 2007 but it wasn't until an emergency services dance in May of that year that we really got to know each other. We spent so much time together that night that many people assumed we were already dating! From there, a really close friendship began. We didn't want to get into a serious relationship, however, because we were going down completely separate paths in life: I wanted marriage and kids, and Shawn was pretty sure he didn't want to do either again.
After months of hanging out and becoming almost inseparable, we realized we were both developing strong feelings for each other and we were faced with a difficult decision. Would we stay together and make this a go, even if one of us has to change paths, or would we have to stop seeing each other all together so we could move on in our separate directions? Shawn did not want me to sacrifice my dreams of being a wife and mom, and I did not want to force him into beginning a life with me that he wasn't comfortable with, for fear one of us would regret our decision later in life.
And so, 'Plan Breakup Date' was born. That's right, a breakup date, a predetermined date in the future that would end our relationship. Of course our friends thought we were crazy, but we knew that neither of us would actually break up with the other if we didn't have a plan. We set the date for two months later and spent even more time together leading up to the date. We actually became closer during that time. However, as the date lingered nearer and nearer, we both realized we couldn't go through with it. Instead, we decided to continue to date for a few more months and revisit the issue at a later time (Avoid, avoid, avoid. Deny, deny, deny!). I refused to talk to Shawn about kids during that time because I didn't want to pressure him or guilt him into making such an important life decision. I didn't dare to hope that he would ever change his mind, and I didn't want to start a family with someone who wasn't 100% on board.
Then, one day in May 2009, almost one year since we started to hit it off, Shawn said the most amazing thing. He told me he could actually see himself having a family with me, and the thought no longer gave him heart palpitations (LOL!).
From that day on, things just got better. I got to meet Shawn's amazing son, Alex; we started going on family vacations together; and in early 2009 we all moved in together. We could finally start talking about our future together. I couldn't be happier!
But of course, I am a woman. I began wondering when the heck Shawn was going to pop the question! We had talked a lot about getting married and even discussed specific details of our wedding day. We just didn't have any formal plans yet. It only took him 2 more years to propose....talk about dragging your feet, LOL! However, since he DID spend a lot of time and effort planning a surprise engagement trip to Ireland for me, I have decided to forgive him his tardiness ;-)
Our engagement trip was nothing short of amazing, although when he actually did propose, I put him through a bit of agony. He had pulled over on the side of the road at the ruins of a beautiful old church. When we went inside, Shawn turned, got down on one knee and pulled out the ring, asking me to marry him. As soon as I saw the ring I forgot the question, focused on the ring, and exclaimed "that's awesome!!" A few moments later he actually had to tell me I hadn't answered his question. LOL! I laughed at him and said "of course I'll marry you!"
And here we are, planning our wedding. We got engaged May, Friday the 13th, 2011 (by accident), so it was only fitting that one of the only days available for our venue in 2012 was July, Friday the 13th! We were super excited for it to work out that way and we can't wait to spend the rest of our lives as husband and wife!
This was a first for me at taking the pictures for the wedding invitations. Allison and Shawn are such a fun and funky couple, they wanted to do something different, so we went outside and took some fun shots with a piece of slate with the writing we're taking the plunge on it! (thankfully we have a great property to take pictures as i am no professional at this) but I think they turned out great!!
After months of hanging out and becoming almost inseparable, we realized we were both developing strong feelings for each other and we were faced with a difficult decision. Would we stay together and make this a go, even if one of us has to change paths, or would we have to stop seeing each other all together so we could move on in our separate directions? Shawn did not want me to sacrifice my dreams of being a wife and mom, and I did not want to force him into beginning a life with me that he wasn't comfortable with, for fear one of us would regret our decision later in life.
And so, 'Plan Breakup Date' was born. That's right, a breakup date, a predetermined date in the future that would end our relationship. Of course our friends thought we were crazy, but we knew that neither of us would actually break up with the other if we didn't have a plan. We set the date for two months later and spent even more time together leading up to the date. We actually became closer during that time. However, as the date lingered nearer and nearer, we both realized we couldn't go through with it. Instead, we decided to continue to date for a few more months and revisit the issue at a later time (Avoid, avoid, avoid. Deny, deny, deny!). I refused to talk to Shawn about kids during that time because I didn't want to pressure him or guilt him into making such an important life decision. I didn't dare to hope that he would ever change his mind, and I didn't want to start a family with someone who wasn't 100% on board.
Then, one day in May 2009, almost one year since we started to hit it off, Shawn said the most amazing thing. He told me he could actually see himself having a family with me, and the thought no longer gave him heart palpitations (LOL!).
From that day on, things just got better. I got to meet Shawn's amazing son, Alex; we started going on family vacations together; and in early 2009 we all moved in together. We could finally start talking about our future together. I couldn't be happier!
But of course, I am a woman. I began wondering when the heck Shawn was going to pop the question! We had talked a lot about getting married and even discussed specific details of our wedding day. We just didn't have any formal plans yet. It only took him 2 more years to propose....talk about dragging your feet, LOL! However, since he DID spend a lot of time and effort planning a surprise engagement trip to Ireland for me, I have decided to forgive him his tardiness ;-)
Our engagement trip was nothing short of amazing, although when he actually did propose, I put him through a bit of agony. He had pulled over on the side of the road at the ruins of a beautiful old church. When we went inside, Shawn turned, got down on one knee and pulled out the ring, asking me to marry him. As soon as I saw the ring I forgot the question, focused on the ring, and exclaimed "that's awesome!!" A few moments later he actually had to tell me I hadn't answered his question. LOL! I laughed at him and said "of course I'll marry you!"
And here we are, planning our wedding. We got engaged May, Friday the 13th, 2011 (by accident), so it was only fitting that one of the only days available for our venue in 2012 was July, Friday the 13th! We were super excited for it to work out that way and we can't wait to spend the rest of our lives as husband and wife!
This was a first for me at taking the pictures for the wedding invitations. Allison and Shawn are such a fun and funky couple, they wanted to do something different, so we went outside and took some fun shots with a piece of slate with the writing we're taking the plunge on it! (thankfully we have a great property to take pictures as i am no professional at this) but I think they turned out great!!
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