What's Your Love Story!?

I'm linking up with Becky at From Mrs to Mama for a Valentine's SPECIAL...

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?
Justin and I met officially in July of 2009. However, he had been "pointed out" to me two years prior.  So we had crossed paths MANY times before.


2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}
Like I said, Justin was "pointed out" to me before.  We both had a mutual friend--and we both like to go to the same bar.  My friend had pointed Justin out to me, stating he was a really nice guy and she thought he was cute. However, he was coming out of a divorce.  Of course, I heard the word divorce and never batted another eye at him.  I was young and did NOT need baggage.
Fast forward, two years later...the summer of 2009--I am back going out again after a long year or two of staying in and working in college....
I was going through a tough breakup--and once again there's this Justin guy (I didn't really remember him to be honest).  I looked at him, he is extremely good looking in a unconventional way. He has these blue piercing eyes that seem to say "there's a lot about me you will ever understand" yet he has the smile and laid-back mindset of a California surfer boy.

He was intriguing to say the least.  But nonetheless, I classified him as a party boy.  And by most accounts I was right about all my first impressions.


 My friends and his friends all kind of know one another and we end up all going out one night.  That night, Justin tries to talk to me...but I notice he is "friendly" with everyone.  I mistake his "friendly" manner to another girl as a girl he is interested in. So I don't DARE to flirt back with him.  I'm not the kind of girl that will "fight over" a guy.  So I ignore his friendly talk. And to be honest, I ignore him and act kinda like a jerk. (In my mind I don't like it when men hit on lots of ladies--I feel like they are playboys!) But I just wasn't use to Justin and his friendly ways..towards everyone! (Man or woman)


Fast forward a few weeks more---
I keep seeing Justin out on the weekends.  Since we both hangout in similar circles we keep running into one another.  I start to notice he is definitely giving me more attention then just being friendly.  In fact, he even gets our friend to ask me to come out on nights I am staying in.  
(He doesn't have my number).
Sure enough, I get a message from him on Facebook one week--asking me to go out for First Thursdays.
--Basically First Thursday is the first Thursday of the month (in Austin) where they do a lot of different live music shows and concerts on South Congress.
Instead of asking for my NUMBER...he gives me his.
Sly move, sly move!
I ignore his message--and instead that weekend I head to San Antonio to party VIP-style with the Dallas Cowboys!
That weekend, was one of the wildest weekends of my SINGLE life--and it was THE LAST hoorah I'd ever have again.


See, that weekend I decided to "brag" about all my new boy toys--since I was feeling like a big hoss for partying with NFL players--I needed SOME ONE to brag to. I text Justin.  He was excited to hear from me, but less than thrilled to hear I was partying with NFL players.  
In fact, he urges me to come home to Austin. 
I ignore him and stay another night.


Once back in Austin--I keep up a texting charade or two with some DALLAS COWBOYS (no lie, seriously!) and I realize that these NFL players are simply that. Players! After a heavy dose of reality I get some exciting news,I got my job with ESPN. I'm so excited! I call a guy friend that I had been hanging out with casually, and we had plans for dinner regardless. The guy had some excuse, and needless to say--He stood me up!


So after I was all ready for a nice dinner with a friend--I was like "man! I'm not going to waste my makeup and cute clothes on nothing!" So I text Justin.  
He tells me he can free up his schedule and we will meet for a happy hour.


After my weekend as a VIP with the Cowboys and my new job at ESPN, I am feeling like a new woman. I go to a restaurant downtown, order my a cosmo--and sit there. Happy and feeling like an adult for the first time in my life.


I have no nerves or qualms about meeting up with Justin.
After my cosmo, I head to "our" bar. (Key Bar)
And there's Justin. 
I hardly recognize him. I don't know if it's because he is surrounded by a group of people or what.
He is wearing a white, nice shirt, a white hat--and grey designer jeans.  He's got on white shoes to match. (Also designer.) He looks sexy. Like, seriously sexy.
He looks like a man.
And for so long, I never dated a man.
He stands up to hug me and wow....
the chemistry just over came me!
Where was this chemistry before?
Was I just not opening up more to him before?
Was I being so uptight and snobby to notice him?
We sit there and talk for HOURS until the bar closes.
He tells me his life story.
His father's suicide, his mother abandoning him, his life living in foster care, going from orphanage to orphanage. His life working multiple jobs starting at the age of 13. 
Watching his best friend commit suicide.
The things he had to do to survive living on the streets..
All his trouble in California---
His mistake of getting married too young.
His divorce.
His desires to remarry one day--his wishes for a family.
His struggles with life and death...


To say the least, I was blown away by his rawness. 
He was so kind and lovable. You'd never know all the pain he has seen.
After he shared his life story--(yes I talked too!)
He walked me to my car (it was SO FAR AWAY!)
And he had parked right in front of the bar....
So I kinda felt bad--so once we got to my car that was 4-5 blocks away, I offered to take him back to HIS car.
Once to his car, he leans across the console to kiss me.
It was, TO THIS DAY--the best kiss I had ever gotten.
It sent chill bumps up and down my spine.
He has the most perfect lips, so full and perfect.
His perfect teeth and smile...
I was in for it!
He had me!
SOOOOO easy to say---I was HEAD over heels FAST!
(speaking of, that weekend he took me skydiving!) How can any man top that date?


3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}
Yes, we've been married since May 2010
4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?
We got married in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Small, beautiful, intimate wedding. 

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!
I call Justin a million different nick-names. 
Juicy J (like from Three-6 Mafia) I call him J, Papa J, Daddy J--and then the usual, love, my love, sexy, honey, baby etc.  He normally calls me babe or sweet pea...lol


6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey. Just three?! He is HARD working--the least laziest man I know. He is so loyal. And he is so very generous.....I could go on and on...but, that's three!

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal? He proposed to me in his boat, in the lagoon one night on Lake Austin...we even had swans--and a bottle of wine--with a blanket and two glasses (He carried them in his backpack like a cutie pie!) 

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?
He is more flowers...strawberries and champagne for sure!


9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
If the beach was near, THE BEACH! Typically we spend a lot of time on the lake--but when it's not LAKE SEASON--we're on the couch watching a movie (once the baby is asleep!)


10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?
We definitely want to see each other's family's roots..My family is from France--and his is from Germany. So it would be so nice to travel Europe together (for a month) and show our kids where our family is from.  We both still have family in Germany and France--so seeing them is a must!  Also, going to Australia and diving the great barrier reef is another dream....but we'll see!


 11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. Nothing! Ha! If anything, a nice dinner---some bubbly and maybe a little hot tub time.  We are about to go on vacation so any extra funds are being saved for our trip.


12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day? We're actually MAKING a headboard for our bed.  That's the only thing I'm "asking" for.  I want a rustic looking headboard--and since it's for our bed...it's kind a special thing to make together.

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. Respect the one you're with!  I have so much respect for my husband.  He has overcome some CRAZY things. He also works so hard for our family and I appreciate all his talents and how smart he is.  I respect him a lot and it translates to admiration for him. And I think it's important for women to respect and admire their men.  (And vice versa) Men tend to respond more to RESPECT than all the lovey, dovey stuff anyway!

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.
I have a lot but the one when we are at dinner---is in Breckenridge--and this is when Justin told me he wanted to marry me and spend the rest of his life with me. The bottom one is when we were dating and going to ACL together. 

Join in on the fun!!! Link up!!!

Lots of love,

-HK-