Doug and I have been together for 3 and 1/2 years now. It all started at Houston’s. I knew he was different than any man I had ever dated. Kind, funny, selfless, and loyal. I could just tell he had a heart of gold.
He met Tatum when she had just turned 2. I thought for sure that would be a no-go on his part because he already raised his son. Would he want to take on another child? He embraced her from that first minute. We just kept plugging along with our relationship. ANY time I had an ounce of doubt, the Holy Spirit would whisper: Stay put. Don’t go anywhere. He is the one.
How could this be? I didn’t feel it. Anytime I had the “it” feeling with another man, it ended abruptly, so I knew that my feelings were not so accurate. So, I did. I stayed put and continued to learn more about Douglas Hay. He wowed me every time I saw him or talked to him because of his complete devotion to not only me, but my mom and Tatum. He NEVER wavered once.
We went through ups and downs, but not because of any arguments or emotional roller coaster moments. Just circumstances and really me catching up to him in his feelings for me. I just wanted to be where he was in the love he had for me. However, our friendship was like no other. There were no secrets and there was nothing we held back from telling each other.
Then it happened. We had a FIRST DATE all over again at Houston’s three months ago.
I needed fresh eyes! It was at that moment when I realized: I LOVE THIS MAN and I know I want to spend the rest of my life with him.
We started to look for rings. My BFF Jocy told me one of our buddies from middle school is a diamond broker: Mike Lippman. Coincidence? NO. I called him and what a GOD thing that was. It all clicked for all of us and Doug and Mike set the wheels in motion. I knew I wanted a certain diamond cut (princess), but that was it. He did the rest.
He had the setting made special. The middle big diamond is cradled among other smaller diamonds. Our love is represented by that middle diamond, and we are wrapped in Jesus Love.
How? Well that creative sweet man had a cross engraved on the back as he showed me on Card 10:
The ruby in the middle is the love of Christ shedding His life for us. It’s also a reminder of our bond being rooted and grounded in HIM. That is our foundation, and it has been since Day 1.
Then Doug wanted to have a ring made for Tot so he could propose to her.
You can read about my proposal and our proposal.
Mike and he designed them to match. I know he went through so much to get them right.
Slow and steady really does win. We’ve been through so much already, but I see now the purpose for the long, slow process. We grew so much as friends, and now? We can grow as a family. Doug, Tatum and me. Well, and my mom, too because she adores him and it is definitely mutual. Coti even adores him and he’s a tough cookie!
Douglas Hay, I cannot wait to be your wife. I also can’t wait for Tatum to have now an earthly father. The perfect man for her (and for me).
I love you completely.
