Good Ole Boy meets Country Girl

    In honor of mine and Aaron's 2 year anniversary (TODAY) I thought I would share our story

Backstory: Over the span of 3 years Boy asked Girl out 3 times and on the 3rd time Girl accepted. The 1st time Girl lived in Huntington, WV and boy lived in Bluefield, WV(3 hours apart), Girl had a boyfriend and Boy wasn't really in the best state to be starting relationship(another story). 2nd time Boy asked Girl out he had gotten his act together, but she had kind of lost her mind for a couple of years and wasn't ready for a relationship (again another story). 3rd times a charm! Girl had moved home and was attending college at MSU in Beckley, WV. Boy was working and living in Beckley as well. Both being chewed up and spit back out by the world were very guarded and untrusting of people, but thought they would give it a chance.

1st Meeting - Sometime in July: Girl meets Boy at Applebee's.

Which neither Boy nor Girl are really crazy about, but Boy believes that all girls love Applebee's, not this Girl give her a steakhouse any day. Anyway...Smiles exchanged, sparks flew and most importantly past baggage was all dumped out on the table right there at Applebee's, and Boy & Girl still liked each other.

2nd meeting: Girl had been down such a bumpy road,
well disastrous road, in the past especially when it came to stupid boys. She didn't really trust her own judgement anymore. So she invited Boy to her little cousins baseball game in order for him to meet her family so they could give their opinions. Opinions that she used to not want, but now she gladly accepts. First impressions are important, but Girls family already knew some of Boys history, because let's acknowledge the small town and its cliches. But Girls family being the awesome people they are wiped the slate clean and accepted Boy. Boy made a good first impression and was welcomed and the blessing was given to date.

1st date: the perfect date, dinner (outback).

and a movie, but those are just details. Boy was sweet and charming and most importantly REAL, and girl just lit up when he was around. Boy was a light of hope in a dark dreary world she had seen during the past few months. He was her real life Knight in Shinning Armor (as corny as it sounds...it's so true). Boy was comfortable with Girl and falling for her fast, because he knew she wasn't like any other girl he had ever met before.

Burnt rubber & pigs skin: Boy and Girl continue to date growing closer every passing day. They spent every waking minute together that they could. Boy lived in Beckley, and had his own business so he set his own hours. Girl lived partly at her Grandparents in the holler at Hanover, and partly with her uncle in Beckley when she had classes.They went on dates and took trips:
Bristol NASCAR Race



WVU Football Game


They were completely enveloped in each other. Life was grand!

Trouble in paradise: Boy and Girl both love music so they decided to take a trip and go to an outdoor concert (X-Fest).

Excitement, fun, and entertainment then oh no PROBLEM. We won't go into details because Boy and Girl do not need to relive the drama, so let's just say that they are both very stubborn, and they had their first REAL fight. Which led to them breaking up, leaving early, and having a miserable silent trip home. Girl cries and then gets angry. Finally Boy comes to his senses and calls Girl. Girl calms down, they talk, and eventually peace and harmony are restored and the relationship is saved.

Again Boy and Girl grow closer and are realizing that while neither Boy nor Girl are perfect, they are perfect for each other.

I love you: life has been GREAT for Boy and Girl. A few bumps in the road, but in all it has been wonderful. Oh no here comes one of those silly little arguments that keeps escalating because both are too dumb and immature to just SHUT-UP! Arguing back and forth and finally Girl slaps Boy on the arm while saying, "...because I love you, you dummy!" instantly boys expression changed, "I love you, too" both smiled, kisses and hugs, and once again all is right with the world.

The Engagement:
Sometime in the fall Boy decided he loved Girl very much and could not live without her. She was the love of his life, and he must make her his wife. Boy went out and purchased a ring, and hid it in his closet. One evening Boy & Girl sat down and Boy said, "let's play a game". Boy got out 3 tiny boxes and mixed them up. He said, "we will leave this up to fate". He told Girl, "choose a box and if it is the ring then tonight is the night we get engaged, if not then we will play again tomorrow". Girl closed her eyes, bowed her head, and whispered a little prayer. "Lord it's in your hands" reached out in front of her, chose the middle box, and handed it to Boy. Boy opened the box and there sat the beautiful platinum 2 carat antique lookin' diamond ring. Both smiled, and starred into each others eyes because they just knew it was so right. Boy took Girl by the hand and they rose to their feet. Boy turned the lights off (because he is shy and embarrassed easily) got down on one knee, took girls hand and said, "will you be my wife" Girl said "YES!"

"Let's Get Married!": Boy and Girl are very down to earth and simple people. They don't like crowds, drama, or big to do's. They decided after only being engaged a month that they did not want a big lavish wedding, they wanted an everlasting marriage. They hadn't set a date for a wedding or made any plans, they just decided to go with the flow. Boy and Girl set off towards Beckley because they thought they had to get Boys birth certificate from the court house in order to get a marriage license (which you do not have to have). Girl wanted to look at the consignment shop beside the court house for a dress. She had looked at dress shops and while she saw some gorgeous dresses she never saw anything that seemed to "fit". Girl went in shop, browsed dresses, then found the perfect dress. It looked somewhat like a maid Marion (from Robin Hood)dress, what she had always secretly wanted. Girl tried dress on...IT WAS PERFECT! She opened the dressing room door, and showed Boy. Breaking tradition, but nothing about this wedding was traditional, except the vows of course. Boy loved it! Boy buys Girl $60 brand new with tags, white wedding dress, and $2 pair of perfectly matching, perfectly fitting shoes.

1 court house down, 1 to go: So Boy and Girl headed home to Wyoming County to get a marriage license. They had previously jokingly stated that if everything went smoothly and Girl found a dress they would get married in 3 days which was the waiting period from the time you got a marriage license. So Boy and Girl were on cloud 9, they were going to be married in 3 days. So they parked in front of the 2nd court house and went in to obtain a marriage license. This is when they found out that there is no waiting period anymore, but decided to make it 3 days anyway, which would make their wedding date New Year's Eve.

Announcing the News: Boy and Girl arrived at Girls grandparents home where they sprung the news to Girls family. "hey Mamaw what are you doing on New Year's Eve...would you like to attend a wedding?" Boy went home to clue his family in. Needless to say they were all shocked.

Wedding Prep: Most girls dream of their wedding all of their lives, and major plans and energy are put into place for this MAJOR life changing, amazing event...well not this Girl. True this was a MAJOR, life changing, amazing event, but it was just the beginning not the finale. Girl had 3 days to plan a wedding. Most girls stress out when they have a year to plan, but not this girl...and she only had 3 days.

To add to the madness: The winter of 2009 included a huge snow storm, power and phone lines were down, roads had been blocked and people went weeks without power.

During this snow storm Boy & Girl were moving into the apartment they would eventually share, and Boy worried Girl sick because he was driving across WV mountains in the storm. Then she and her Popaw journeyed home to the holler at Hanover in the blizzard...oh the INSANE fun. Boy and Girl were separated because of the snow, road blocks, and phone lines being down (cell phones...haha! No service in the sticks). So when power was restored and people were getting back to the normalcy of their lives Boy and Girl set out on their crazy wedding excursion. (phone lines were still out)

Girl Delegates: Mamaw made sure the church Girl grew up in was free, Mother of the bride was in charge of Brides bouquet (real red roses) & a cake topper, father of the bride was to take pictures, and father of the groom was suppose to video the event. Mamaw was going to cook, the correct phrasing would be a reception dinner, Girl called it a "Sunday kinda dinner"...and since the electricity had been off for so long, and the grandparents had been heating with gas and kerosene the house was "a little sooty", according to Mamaw. Mother of the groom was to bring a meatloaf and grandmother of the groom pasta salad. Boy was to get a song for Girl to walk down the isle to and dress himself (which he stopped doing after "I Do"). All members had a part.

A Cake & A Preacher: Two main ingredients to a wedding are the cake and the preacher. (get a close look at the topper)
Yeah right like Girl would have to drag Boy...he ran to the alter...Literally!


The phones were still out so all of Wyoming County had lost touch with the world. Luckily the town that had the bakery was the same town the preacher lived in. Boy and Girl went to order a wedding cake, and discovered the most awesome bakery with the sweetest, moistest, best buttercream icing that melts in your mouth, beyond delicious cakes, had burned to the ground. This upset Girl and if she were going to feel stress at any time during her 3 day wedding preparation period this would have been the moment, because let's face it Girl loves some cake. Boy found another bakery in town, but it was closed. Wait the owner was inside taking inventory, and Boy talked her into making the wedding cake. Come on after hearing this journey wouldn't you bake them a cake too. That is one reason Girl loves Boy so much! So cake - check, on to the preachers house. Boy and Girl asked the preacher to marry them, he asked, "are you in love?". They both replied, "yes!". Preacher asked, "when will the date be?". They replied, "day after tomorrow". Preachers eyes popped open wide, then he smiled and said, "alrighty".

The Wedding: Finally the day had arrived, shew didn't think it would ever get here. Girl is relaxed, excited, and so happy. She spent the morning with her family and her dog. Coffee, shower, and getting ready...her hubby to be awaited. Snow was still on the ground and it was very cold. The weather was the reason Girl's paternal grandparents couldn't make it to the wedding. Too short of notice and just too cold and wet for their health. OH and just found out...this grandmother, do to the rushed wedding, assumed Girl was prego...she was wrong. Everyone was waiting in the sanctuary for the wedding to begin, No need for extra primping Girl was ready. Popaw was going to drive Girl around to the front door, because it was a wet nasty mess outside, where she would be escorted down the isle by her father. Well girl slipped and almost fell out of the vehicle and she hurt her ankle, but she shrugged it off and kept going. Father of the bride was having a panic attack about which foot went first when walking down the isle (and the fact that his only little girl was getting married). Bride told him to just walk normal and kissed him on the cheek. Mother of the bride was told, "when you see Popaw come through the side door of the church you start the music (which was the wedding march on an electric guitar...this suited Boy & Girl) and we will come through the doors." She did this, but failed to inform anyone else in the church house that this was going to take place. So all of a sudden Popaw came through the side door, Mother pressed play, music started, grandmother of groom said, "you better get up there!" to the Boy, so he RAN to the alter (told ya), doors opened and Girl began walking down the isle, preacher quickly got into place and asked Boy, "is this practice?", Boy said "NOPE, this is the real thing!", father of the groom tried to get the video camera started (but there were issues so no video), and father of the bride was shaking so bad he vibrated Girl all the way down the isle.


But in all the chaos Boy & Girl were calm. They were serene and were starring at each other like they were the only two in the whole world. They were young and in love and so very happy. It was like Girl floated to Boy as if drawn by a magnetic field that surrounded him...

...then this moment of tranquillity was interrupted because Girl's mother couldn't figure out how to stop the music. Girl had to go stop it herself.

Vows sealed by 3 kisses:

The preacher began the ceremony, but he was also nervous because he thought there would be practice, but there was no time for that. So he began the vows then said, "you may kiss the Bride".

But wait what about the rings...


Boy gave Girl ring, "You may kiss the Bride". But wait what about Boys ring...

There we go all parts completed and something mentioned about taking from each others trough and the preacher said, "I pronounce you Man & Wife, Now you kiss him." And Girl did.

The wedding journey is over for Boy & Girl, but the life long journey of marriage, life, and love for Man & Wife has just begun.

Happy Birthday Bentley!

Then: Bentley was born on Dec. 30th 2009 and he became a member of our family 4 1/2 months later. He was just a little baby! He had some health issues and concerns, because he came from a horrible place...a puppy mill. He was the runt. He had worms of every kind, ear mites, kennel cough, and who knows what else. But I got him to the vet and nursed him back to health...and he has been my healthy rotten little boy ever since.

Puppy Bentley

Now: Bentley is 2 years old today, but still got a puppy dog face.

CHEESE!

Then: He loved her from the beginning. Cocoa was a little jealous a first, but soon treated him like he was her pup.

Now: They play, they fight, they are inseparable.

My little furbabies <3

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!

Christmas is a joyous time of year! This Christmas and the past 2 have been full of new experiences...

2011 - I am a little saddened this year, because this holiday season Aaron is in PA working. BUT I am thankful he has a great job and that I am in WV spending Christmas with family. This is also a reason for tears to be shed, because it is the first Christmas without my Grandfather. BUT I am thankful that he is in heaven and while we celebrate Jesus's birthday here on earth, he is spending eternity in his presence.

2010 - Last year was also a wonderful Christmas season. It was mine and Aaron's first Christmas as "The Hatfield's". We did the usual traveling to families houses for dinner, presents, visiting, decorations, and sweets. One of the best memories we have is a few days before Christmas we had a party for the little children in our lives. We had pizza, decorated cookies, opened presents, and PLAYED PLAYED PLAYED!

2009 - What a year! Aaron and I weren't married yet, we got married New Year's Eve 2009. This year there was a HUGE snow storm knocking out power and phone lines. Also transportation was halted do to snow covered roads and trees blocking the way. During this time when all seemed to be going wrong we had the best Christmas I can ever remember. We starred at a Christmas tree with no lights. We wore layers of clothes, and homes were heated with propane and kerosene heaters. Mamaw Carol fixed Christmas dinner (fried chicken and dumplings) outside on a propane gas cook stove. We had to use flashlights and oil lamps after sundown to see. We flushed the toilet with creek water. We had to heat water to take a bird bath (ok maybe that part wasn't so great). Aaron traveled through all the chaos to bring us kerosene and jug water (supplies were hard to come by since power was out EVERYWHERE). I think he just wanted to see me :) BUT things were calm, there was no hectic hustle and bustle that is usually seen this time of year. We had more important things to worry about...like survival. We focused on what was real, not all the flashy. God knows what he is doing and perhaps he left the lights off for a reason, to teach us all a few lesson, help us grow closer together, and give us a lot of wonderful memories.

My gift to the blogging community: Don't forget what CHRISTmas is really about, and enjoy every second with the ones whom you love.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

If walls could talk

We have all heard the expression..."If walls could talk..."
Well our house kind of does. A lady by the name of Idella Canada built our home with her husband in 1953. She lived there until she died in 1995. Her children and family had cleared out most of her belongings and memoribilia, but there were still some things that remained when Aaron and I moved into this old house last February. I sorted through the things that were tucked away in drawers, packed away pictures, and collectibles that were placed around her home. I came across a box labeled "Travels" that was filled with pictures from all around the world, and there were souveiners also left behind.

I live in her home, beside her son and his wife, and I attend the same church she was a long time member of. I never met Mrs. Canada, but living in her home I feel like I have gotten a sense of who she was. We have yet to remodel so in a way I still feel as if I am living in HER home. She loved red, which can be seen from room to room. The inside of the kitchen cabinets are painted red, and cut out newspaper articles are taped up inside. When we first moved in I was cleaning the kitchen and I started to take them down, but they are so old they began to crumble when touched, so I decided to leave them up until the kitchen is remodeled. Now when I open the cabinets I am reminded that these articles were once important to someone. She had taped them up because she liked them and I guess wanted to display them somewhere they would often be seen instead of hiding them away. Some are funny, others are touching, or even words of wisdom. The other day I took the time to read one again and thought I would share...

When I think about where my get up has been
with my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup, my eyes on the table until I wake up.
As sleep dims my eyes I say to myself, "Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?"
I am happy to say, as I close the door my friends are the same or perhaps even more.
When I was young my slippers were red. I could kick up my heels right over my head.
When I grew older my slippers were blue, but still I could dance the whole night through.
Now I am old, my slippers are black. I walk to the store and puff my way back.
The reason I know now my youth is all spent. My get up and go has got up and went.
But I really don't mind when I think with a grin of all the grand places my get up has been.
Since I have retired from life's competition, I busy myself with complete repitition.
I get up each morning and dust off my wits, pick up the paper and read the "obits".
If my name is missing I know I'm not dead.
So I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed.

I never met Mrs. Canada, but I believe she was a very interesting person. I was 9 years old when she left this world, but 16 years later she touched my heart and my life.

Personal Day

Today I am taking a personal day! Seems like the last few weeks we have been going, and going, and going...now my battery needs recharging. This morning Aaron and I headed for PA, my book bag was a couple of textbooks short, because yesterday I took my last exam's and finished the Fall semester. Next semester I have 6 hours of clinical work and I will be completely FINISHED, then I will graduate in May...YAY!

So today is all about "ME"...NO buisness. I am going to read what I want, watch what I want, nap if I want...basically do whatever I want. My loving, devoted, hard working husband on the other hand does not have that luxury, and I do because of him. This song is dedicated to my working man.

COLD!

Winter is here - COLD weather and the microscopic germs known as the "common COLD" reeking havoc on my body.

Could the sneezing, snot, and throbbing head be allergies and sinus or is it this mysterious sly monster they call the "common cold"

Whatever the culprit may be it is using my once healthy body as its germ multiplying breeding grounds.

Germs Vs. Kristin's Immune System...Germs are in the lead. Let's Go Immune System, Let's Go!

Chapstick, tissues, water, bed!