Our Story...According to Mrs. Smith

I met Wade through a mutual friend of ours, Aaron Abbott, who was-at the time-a co-counselor with me at a church camp in Conway. It's true. Our relationship is founded on an 11 year friendship. Truth be known, it has been 11 years of stubbornness-mostly on my part-but we both take responsibility for the lost time. 

I knew Wade cared about me years ago. How so? He put love into action. Wade has been my constant, even when I failed him. He never gave up on me, and no matter how hard-headed I might have been, he never lost sight of us...even if that meant only friendship. I honestly didn't know how to let someone love me the way he did. It almost felt I wasn't worthy of such a love. Still, through the ups and downs of life, he was there. 

Looking back, I can see how the Lord has been preparing us for eachother. Wade actually told my grandmother years ago "If your granddaughter wasn't so hard-headed, I'd be your son-in-law a long time ago." She knew it was true from the moment she met him. That should've been my biggest sign then and there. Still, this stubborn woman had to take the long way around and do things my way-which only lead me down a path not meant for me. 

It took years for me to realize I was trying to control my own life and not being open to the perfect plan the Lord had for me. The beautiful part to this story is that God used this season of my life as refinement and still continued to mold me into the woman He created me to be, preparing me for a love I once thought impossible to accept.

Wade and I reconnected last year over a cup of Starbucks coffee and a conversation that left me smiling just reflecting back on our friendship over the years. We slowly began to hang out more-which started out as me being the stubborn woman I am and assuring him we would just be hanging out as friends. 

In the midst of this renewed relationship, a man that was very near and dear to my heart, Mr Aaron Burns, had a very important message for me one evening. With tears in his eyes, he reached for my hand at dinner and said, "Brandi, I feel the Lord has something He wants me to tell you." With anticipation, yet slight shock, I ask him what word he felt he needed to share. "Brandi, God has told me to tell you something BIG is going to happen in your life in 60 days!" There was excitement in his eyes as he continued to tell me he had no idea what would happen, but to be prepared and with a hug told me again a "Whew! It's big." The next day, I went to work and counted out 60 days, recording "Day 60" in my planner as October 9th. 

Within that two month time frame I was expectant and prayerful over what this might be. I thought at first it may have been being offered the opportunity to teach a Freshmen English course at UAM. Unsure and still waiting for confirmation, Mr Aaron left this world unexpectedly before the 60 day mark, suffering a heart-attack. I lost a man I considered a father-figure in my life and loved so much. I held on to his words and convictions he felt that evening and through the pain of losing Mr Aaron, smiled knowing he now knew-even before me-just what that 60th day had in store. 

Time passed and I made plans to meet Wade in Little Rock for a church service at Fellowship Bible Church and lunch in Hot Springs with my grandmother and Aunt Caliece...remember-just as friends. This Sunday I began to see Wade in a new light. Suddenly I realized-wow-this guy is the real deal. Everything just seemed so natural having him with me that day and spending time with my family. He not only showed me love, but my family, as well. That night, Wade confessed his feelings for me-for the first time ever. Sure I knew he cared for me for years-but he had never really voiced his feelings for me romantically. Can we all just agree right now I did give him a pretty good reason not to? I knew my heart felt the same, but I was still cautious. I knew I didn't want this to change our solid friendship. Then...he walked me to my car and kissed me-for the first time-in ten years-EVER. Our friendship had always been strictly that. Friends only. My wall had been high, but suddenly, it was shattered. A kiss I always thought might be awkward was the opposite...it was natural and it was right. I drove home with my smile yet again, knowing that was my last first kiss. 

The next day, as I began my work-day, I pulled out my planner. The world seemed to stop as I remembered the words of Mr Aaron. "God wants me to tell you something BIG is going to happen in your life in 60 days." There it was. Sunday, October 9th, 2016...the day God opened my eyes to what was in front of me this entire time...the day Wade confessed his feelings...the day I knew I had just had my last first kiss...DAY 60. 

I hear you, God.

Now, a year later from that VERY MOMENT, I'm married to that man. A man who loves me the way God intended a groom to love his bride-the way Christ loves the Church-selfless, committed, and unconditional. While some may think we moved entirely too fast into marriage, we just say this has been a love 11 years in the making. It's a blessing from God and we didn't want to wait another moment. March 25th, 2017 our lives were joined as one to glorify the One who brought us together for a greater mission than our own.

We look forward to taking you along on this journey we call life and marriage. Our story may seem like a fairytale, but it is so real and there have been countless ups and downs along the way. We hope you will continue to join us as we share more of the real Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Love,

Mrs. Smith