Recent-ness

I have decided to go ahead and write a post to address some of the things that have been going on recently in my life.  And, I'm going to save the best for last.

I've been employed.  No, it isn't some fancy job...just retail.  BUT...I honestly can say that I love my job.  I love seeing all the different, crazy, unique people that come into the store.  I'm a sales associate, but to me, I'm so much more than just another person on their payroll.  Instead, I look at myself in a way that allows me to help people find the clothes and gear they need to do anything that they want to...whether that is look as great as they can going back to school or work, or help them have the tools that they need to hike Mount Everest.  (No joking there....)  I love the people I work with. The dynamics of the team are crazy but in a good way.  Not one person has the same personality as another.  So yes.  Great job.  Part-time, but that's exactly what I need for the school season.  :)

My mother got married!  I think this is a good thing.  Everyone deserves to be happy in this life.  The wedding was beautiful.  My mom looked great for being over 40 in a wedding dress!  That makes me excited for how great I'm going to look when I'm old and decrepit!  ;)  Anyhow, that's awesome!  So, I now have a step-dad and three step-sibs.  Not sure if I'm ready to call them siblings yet because I already have three great sibs, so we shall see how that goes!

NOW...The news you all have been waiting for!!!

I'M ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am engaged to Nichole Denise Kelly!  She is by far the most beautiful woman I have ever met.  Yes, she is a female.  Yes, this, by definition, would make me gay/lesbian/whatever you want to call it!  But, I can assure you that this is what I want with my life.  Now, to answer a few questions........

When did you get together?  Nichole and I met a couple years ago, but really didn't start talking until summer of 2010.  Then, by July, we were completely and utterly best friends!  We shared our hearts with each other more than anyone else I have ever known!  By February of 2011, we both knew that we loved each other more than just best friends, but we denied our feelings until July of 2011.  It was like a huge sweep of relief when we admitted it!  By the end of July, we were engaged!  :)

Have you always been "this" way?  For a lot of folks, it seems like the lifestyle I have chosen has come as a surprise.  But, now that I think about it, I think I have always been attracted to girls.  I think that may be why I never found any boys interesting enough to date, but I'm not sure.  I find some boys to be cute, so if anything ever happened to Nichole, I don't know if I would go for a boy or girl!  I guess it would just depend!  But, I hope and pray that never has to happen!

Don't you think things are going a bit too quick since you just started dating?  No.  Nichole and I talked about it and I think we know more about each other than some couples do before they get married!  We have completely shared our hearts, hopes and dreams with the other as well as our fears and concerns.  No one knows everything about the other before they get married....that's why it is a life-long journey.  Plus, we already feel like we've been dating!!!!

"It's not biblical."  Well, that's your interpretation.  I don't feel that way.  Until I'm convicted that what I'm doing is wrong, I'm not going to change.  I'm in love!!!  And true love only comes from God.  True love is what I have for Nichole.  Not to get all mushy or sexual, I'm not in love with Nichole only for sex.  I think that shall be quite a wonderful benefit, but I love her for who she is and I can't stand not to be with her all the days of my life!  Our relationship is not out of lust, which is what most of the Biblical passages are regarding: homosexual relations out of lust or adultery.

Are you still a Christian?  DUH!!!  I still believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and the only way I can have a relationship with God!  Nichole and I strive to put God at the head of our relationship.  Just because I am choosing to live a homosexual lifestyle doesn't mean that I am rejecting God.  I assure you that I would NEVER be happy in life without God.  Been there, done that.  SO...OF COURSE I am still a Christian.  I still go to Mass and pray, etc.  It's just normal for me to do so and I love it.  It means a lot to me, so I won't stop being a Christian just because I've told the world that I'm in a homosexual relationship.  I still feel like I can be a great follower of Christ!  I love HIM!!!

So, are you going to get married to Nichole?  That's what engaged means, right????  Lol.  We plan on having a legal ceremony in a state that recognizes our love and then having an unofficial-official ceremony here for our friends and family!!!  We have already begun the planning, and I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, there is a LOT going on in my life.  I am completely and utterly in love.  Nichole makes me the happiest person alive!!!  (Though, she would disagree.)  She has helped me find the real me instead of the me that everyone else wants me to be.  I've finally started living my own life and being my own person, which has made me happier than I have ever been!  This is by far, the happiest I've been in a LONG time!!!  So, that is awesome.  Everything seems to be going great, even though there are plenty of struggles in my life.  I love telling people how we got engaged, so if you want to know....ASK!  PLEASE!  And if you want to know anything else or if you still have questions, talk to Nichole or I about it.  Please don't go to our parents or each other because they can't talk about us as well as we can!  So, thanks for respecting that!

ALRIGHT...Well, I have to get ready for work, so I'll keep you all updated on the wedding planning, etc. Have an awesome and blessed day!!!!!!!