When “one day” finally arrives.
It’s been over three weeks since I’ve blogged and you can blame Paul for it, if you want. He had the nerve to move across the ocean so he could make me the happiest girl on the block. How dare he, right?
Actually, if Paul was writing this post, he would tell you that just the other night, he looked at me while we were watching tv (we get to watch tv together! because we live in the same country now!) and said “You really need to write a blog post.” He was right, of course, and here I am.
I’m actually writing this from 35,000 feet in the air. Yesterday morning, I hopped on a plane in Chattanooga, flew to St. Louis, photographed a 7 pm wedding, got a few hours of sleep and am now back on a plane to get myself home to a certain British man and two little puppies who are waiting for me. I can’t wait to get home, unpack my carry-on bag, upload the pictures I took and then ask Paul where he’s taking me out to dinner tonight.
Speaking of dinner, it is my duty to tell you of some miraculous happenings that have occurred in my kitchen. Paul has been living in the US for three weeks now and (prepare yourself) I have cooked approximately 15 dinners AND ONLY BURNED ONE. It would seem that the Lord really does hear the prayers of certain British men who call upon His name in times of need.
(Speaking of Paul praying, the other night when he was praying over our dinner, it went like this “And Lord, thank You for lowering the temperatures for your little British friend, Paul.”)
(I don’t know which I like more: the fact that he referred to himself as a “little British friend” of God’s or the fact that he felt the need to identify himself by name in case there were multiple British men named Paul also thanking the Lord for lower temperatures.)
(Fun fact: Paul has never lived in a home where an air conditioner was installed because, in the part of England he lived in, temperatures were mild enough that in-home air conditioners were not needed.)
I’m getting a little ahead of myself, I guess, since I haven’t even told you about the day Paul got here. It was a Friday evening and I wore the same dress to the airport that I wore the day we met in person, which also happened to be an airport. A few hours before I left to meet his flight, I got a call asking if I would mind taking an extra member of the welcoming committee with me. You might recognize her…
It has been over a year since Aviean has been in my life (for reasons out of my control). I have ended up seeing her twice recently, with the second time being the day she came with me to pick-up Paul from the airport. Ironically, I have mentioned multiple times to Paul that it is really important to me for him to meet each of the fab five at some point and he has said that it was important to him, too. So, when I got the call that she would be with me, I knew he would be shocked to find her standing beside me in the airport.
He was shocked and we had a great reunion with a little Aviean squeezed between our hugging. Aviean ended up staying with us until very late that night which was pretty hilarious given that Paul and I hadn’t seen each other in over three months. Nothing says romance like greeting your fiancé at the airport with “Hey baby, you don’t mind if a six year old shares our first evening together, right?”
Paul didn’t care, because that’s the kind of man he is, of course. The three of us went out to dinner together and then came home so Snuggles and Cuddles could join in on the reunion. I kept looking around my living room thinking “I can’t believe Paul is here!” followed by “Wait, I can’t believe Aviean is here, either!”
I can’t believe Paul is here to stay. Some days it feels like he has been here forever and then there are days where I get tears in my eyes while we’re eating dinner together because I start remembering just how many dinners I have eaten alone hoping that one day there would be someone sitting across from me. And now, that “one day” has finally come.
Posted: July 8th, 2012 under mr. fabulous and i, the fabulous five.
Comments: 23
Comments
Comment from Nicole
Time: July 8, 2012, 4:26 pm
This brings tears to my eyes. I cannot wait for the two of you to be married!
Comment from Cyndi
Time: July 8, 2012, 4:49 pm
I am so, so happy for you. And Paul. And Aviean. But mostly you. 
Comment from Sarah@Life in the Parsonage
Time: July 8, 2012, 4:59 pm
Yay! Look at you, all domesticated already. And, you can tell a lot about a guy by the way he reacts to a six year old hanging around…he’s your one.
Comment from Rutheee
Time: July 8, 2012, 6:21 pm
Could not be happier for you! Truly my prayers for you are being answered. Praying for continued reunions with the Fab 5 and a wonderful joyous wedding for you and Paul.
Comment from ALE
Time: July 8, 2012, 6:26 pm
I remember how a long long time ago you would dream of being with a British man… ya know.. for the accent. I remember how you would write posts about single life and you longed for “this” and how I would pray that the Lord would give you the EXACT desire of your heart.
It’s been a pleasure and an amazing thing to see how God truly works in the lives of HIS children.
ABB… you are IN the pure joy and will of God. He has smiled down on you, girlfriend, and He has given you the desire of your heart. Keep your feet grounded… praise Him daily for the love of your life and remember… alone… NO MORE! WOOOHOOOOO to Paul.
Comment from Sara W
Time: July 8, 2012, 9:06 pm
GAH! You were in St Louis? I wish I had known. I guess maybe that sounds stalkerish since I never really commented on your posts (and couldn’t for a while).
I’m so glad that Aviean was able to visit.
Comment from Jennifer
Time: July 8, 2012, 9:15 pm
This made me smile! Love seeing your dream unfold.
Comment from Julia
Time: July 8, 2012, 9:46 pm
haha! Yes!! I am so impressed with your improved skills in the kitchen!! That is awesome!!
Comment from Lauren
Time: July 8, 2012, 10:31 pm
Yay! I am so excited for you. Your story encourages me to not give up hope that *someday* these great and wonderful things could happen! God works in amazing ways!
Comment from CrysHouse
Time: July 9, 2012, 12:56 am
I love to see things come true for people. How’s the medicine regimen going?
Comment from Kathy
Time: July 9, 2012, 7:10 am
I’m so so so so so glad for you Amy Beth…can’t wait til your big day!
Comment from nlynch
Time: July 9, 2012, 7:41 am
SOOOOO excited for you both!!!!!
Glad you updated us on your happenings!
Love from Texas,
NL
Comment from EG
Time: July 9, 2012, 10:18 am
Hooray! I figured you were having entirely too much fun snogging to write a blog post. Perfectly acceptable.
Comment from Jamie
Time: July 9, 2012, 10:19 am
I am just filled with thankfulness that God has blessed you so greatly! It really is something when you receive the desires of your heart. I am so glad that you are enjoying your time with Paul, but please don’t stay away from the blog so long.
Comment from Caitlin
Time: July 9, 2012, 1:09 pm
Oh, the bit about his prayer just made me giggle. So cute.
I am just so filled with happiness for you! How wonderful it is that you have found a man to share the rest of your days, and dinners, with. God is so good.
Comment from Debbie
Time: July 9, 2012, 3:05 pm
Yikes. I got teary-eyed at the dentist office. Welcome to the U.S. Paul!
Comment from Christy
Time: July 9, 2012, 10:09 pm
how much do i love that this post is tagged Mr. Fabulous and I.
see you soon!!!! (as in July 29)
cw
Comment from Kim
Time: July 10, 2012, 7:46 am
So happy your “one day” has arrived too!
Looking forward to maybe seeing some wedding planning action on the blog? I know it’s going to be FABULOUS, but those of us who won’t be there would love some teasers, please.
Although I imagine at this point in the planning, the thought of just eloping has probably crossed your mind a time or eleven
Comment from Taryn in NY
Time: July 10, 2012, 10:10 am
Aww Hi to Aviean! She is so cute! So happy Paul is here to stay and you are getting your happily ever after! Love you!
Comment from Amanda
Time: July 10, 2012, 12:33 pm
It’s rare for me to be so filled with joy for someone I’ve never even met, even though I feel like I know you from reading your blog for so many years (and meeting some of my best internet/”real life” friends through your comments eons ago). Be blessed on this new journey, AB! And if you’re ever in Nashville, let me know – I’d love to buy you a cup of coffee!
Comment from Sloane
Time: July 10, 2012, 11:36 pm
I just want you to know that when I read Paul’s prayer in my head I read it in a rediculous British accent and it made me lol. So happy for you!
Comment from Rebekah Amador
Time: July 12, 2012, 1:59 pm
I’m so glad you wrote! (thank you Paul, for encouraging her!)
I’ve missed reading about your life, but know you’ve been happily busy for the last bit. I’m incredibly happy for the two of you, knowing that you’ve been longing for this time together for a long while! What a beautiful life you have to treasure now and realize that it stretches out wonderfly before you!
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Comment from Whitney
Time: July 8, 2012, 3:16 pm
Eeek!! I’m sooo excited for you!