Our Story

It all started back in the summer of 2009.

I was a student at the University of Arkansas, but was home for summer break. The private high school that had I graduated from had a teaching position open and had asked my mother if she would like to come and fill the teaching spot. [Keep in mind, my mother hadn’t had an “employed” job since I was born and before that it was in an Children’s Hospital, not a classroom]. So after much deliberation, (and me begging my mom to take the job—with no real reason except I thought it would keep her busy and would be fun) she finally accepted the position and became the new teacher on the block.

Little did I know what that year would have in store for me….

In the mid-October of that same year, I received a random phone call from a former teacher of mine (who at this point now has a classroom next door to my mother).

She was calling to tell me that she had given my phone number to the new football coach. I was speechless. I didn’t know the new coach, I hadn’t met the new coach (or at least didn’t remember—he later told me that I had met him- oops!) and I had most definitely never entertained the idea of a blind date! I felt as if she just handed me over to a complete stranger. And being the small school, small community environment that it was, I most definitely couldn’t be rude and say no! So here I was… in what I thought at the time was  a MAJOR problem.

Within a few hours of received the news, I received a text message from this “new coach.” He told me how he had received my number and then proceeded to invite me to his varsity football game that evening in my hometown.

So I grabbed my girl friends and headed out to my alma mater for an incredibly awkward football game. My friends thought the whole situation was hilarious. Yet, I was in a sheer sweat throughout the whole game at the mere thought of the whole ordeal.

The night ended fairly painlessly until the “new coach” asked me to go out that Saturday night. Of course I had to at least give the guy a chance, right?

Side note: before I continue, I must inform you all that I am most definitely a city girl. 

I wore heels and lipstick, and was never seen otherwise.

So the next day rolls around and the “new coach” calls because he was lost and couldn’t find my house. While on the phone, he warns me that he is wearing cowboy boots. I told him that was fine, but in my head I was thinking “who wears cowboy boots on a date?” (see—told you I was a city girl!)

After finally figuring out where he was, he picked me up and we headed back into town for an evening out on the town. 

Little did I know this would be my LAST first date…

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After bombing the first date, I declined him for a second. I had a wedding to go to that day so it worked out perfect (or so I thought)…

A week had past and no word from the coach since I declined his second date request. I was perplexed as to why he wasn’t still contacting me—this hadn’t ever happened before.

I had come home for the weekend and was sitting in my mom’s classroom as I looked out the window only to find Lee staring right back at me. It was the most awkward window wave I have ever given.

So very politely, Lee came into the classroom and said hello. Another fellow teacher (who was our same age) was in my mother’s classroom at the same time. It appeared as if I had declined Lee’s invitation in favor of “the other guy.” Little did Lee know that wasn’t an issue! You could cut the air in that classroom with a knife that afternoon; however, being the southern gentleman that he is, Lee was very nice and polite regardless.

As I watched from the window the football team load the bus for the game, I remember pulling out my phone wondering if Lee would text again. After much deliberation, I decided to be friendly and let him know I hoped he did well in his game and that I would be praying for him.

Lee coaching in the fall of 2009

Lee had the opportunity to coach his cousin during his senior year in 2009 (These were the days when Lee didn't cut his hair during football season)

He was persistent and asked me out again the following evening. This time, it was on my “turf,” the tennis court. After showing him the ropes on the court, (lets take a minute and not forget who won that game! Whoop Whoop! It’s the only sport I can even come close to competing with him in) we walked around the local park and got to know each other a little bit better.

After that night, there has yet to be a weekend go by that we haven’t spent it together.

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Only 7 short months later, Lee proposed! But not in any ole way… he went ALL OUT!

I had warned him that he better do it right, or I would make him do it again… and he took me seriously!

Lee conspired and got both of our families in on the action. It was May of 2010 and we were all headed on a fun filled family vacation to Walt Disney World! The most magical place of all! I LOVE Disney and was pumped to be heading down to Florida that spring.

Lee’s family is very spread out. His sisters ranged from age 7 to 16 at the time, so it was no surprise that we would choose Disney World as the destination. His sisters had never been to Disney and it had been years since I was there.

The first full day we were at Disney we started out with a character breakfast. It was so much fun! I mean, who doesn’t want to eat breakfast with Pluto?! At the end of breakfast, all the ladies ran to powder our noses quickly before we headed out for more excitement in Magic Kingdom. When I came back, Lee was gone and in his place was an envelope addressed to me. 

I quickly opened the envelope and began to read the news that Snow White had sent her dwarfs to capture Lee because she was no longer the fairest maiden in the land since I had arrived. After reading the details in the letter, I set out to "free" Lee through accomplishing several tasks throughout Magic Kingdom.

The minute I arrived to my next stop, a Disney employee would bring me my next clue. It was I was in a dream--out to capture my prince.

Lee's sisters helped me with my hunt

After several hours of hunting and performing crazy tasks, it finally hit me--he's going to propose!!! I was so excited when I finally found him at Cinderella's castle holding a beauty bouquet of flowers shaped like a pillow with a glass slipper and tiara on top. My eyes were going to and fro searching for that diamond ring!!! Yet it wasn't there..........

After we all took pictures and I realized that it was all over and THAT. WAS. IT.

Lee mentioned that we should all go back to our rooms and take a nap before we headed out to dinner. A nap?! Really?! We are in DISNEY WORLD!!! I thought to myself... in between my self-lecturing about how I won't be "that girl" who is mad because she didn't get a ring. I was going to be happy and thankful that I had a guy who would go to such measures just to bring a smile to my face.

After everyone napped, we headed to dinner.

While at dinner, it started STORMING outside. The storms seemed to make everyone uneasy, except me. I couldn't figure out why everyone was so uptight about the issue. We could ride the tram back to our hotel on Disney property and never have to step foot outside. I obviously had no idea what was in store for our evening plans...

After dinner, we headed out to a boat dock in which we boarded a yacht. If any of you have been to Magic Kingdom, you know there is a river in the front of the Kingdom from which you can get excellent views of the nightly firework show over Cinderella's Castle. (Side note: I had always wanted to be Cinderella every since I was a little girl. Cindy was always my favorite Disney Princess)

The Yacht's surround system was linked into Disney's Wishes firework show and the music that accompanied. We relaxed and enjoyed the ride along the river and then the fireworks show started. It was magical! It doesn't matter how many times you watch the Disney firework show, it's always spectacular!

About half-way through the Wishes show, Jiminy Cricket says "if you just believe, dreams really do come true." It was at that point that Lee dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. And of course I said YES!!! It couldn't have been more perfect. All of our family was there and we were ENGAGED!

God knew what He was doing when He let this city girl fall deeply in love with a crazy country boy. 

I absolutely loved wedding plans. The options numerous and the possibilities endless. Thankfully our families were from the same area and not much travel was needed to get everyone there for the big day. 

My brother was away at Medical School and we were adamant that he be there for our special day. He had three dates that he would be able to come home... so we quickly decided and the date was set. 

Eleven months later... we were MARRIED! 

Lee & I on the church steps after the ceremony

Our wedding cake under a live floral chandelier

 April 30, 2011 was a night we will never forget. So much fun and laughter. We wouldn't trade the memories we made with our family and friends for anything. 

We had to postpone our honeymoon trip because spring football was in full swing and finals were upon me at the University of Arkansas. 

Our first few months of marriage were CRAZY BUSY to say the least.

Lee had accepted his first head coaching position. We were packing up my apartment, his rental house and moving everything to our new home in Gore, Oklahoma. But that wasn't the extent of the craziness. On top of it all, we decided to remodel our new home in Gore before we moved in. Mass chaos describes that summer perfectly.

When we won our first District Championship (excuse the blurry photo)

After serving the Lord for two years in Gore, Lee and I felt the Lord leading us to a new town. In January of 2013, Lee accepted the Head Coaching position in Beggs, Oklahoma. 

We were nervous and excited all at the same time. We knew the Lord had lead us here and were certain it was where He wanted us to be. 

You know you are walking in the Lord's will and direction when everything falls into place perfectly. There were so many miracles (yes, true miracles) that happened in the Spring of 2013 with Lee and I. Everything from finding a home, to my graduation from the University of Arkansas. That semester is one I will always credit to the Lord. He taught me so many things in those short few months that I pray I will never forget. My God is truly good ALL the time.

Lee coaching the Beggs Demons to another Victory in the fall of 2013

We have finally finished remodeling our second home (yes, we ventured into another remodel despite the chaos it brought two years earlier) and couldn't feel more at home than we do here in Beggs. Having grown up in a city, I never understood the small community environment as well as I do now. I love being a part of a town that genuinely cares for one another. I am proud and excited to see what the Lord does in the years to come here in Beggs. 

The Lord's plans have only begun to unfold for this country boy and city girl. May the Lord shine His light through us to a generation in need of His Truth. 

Living our lives 100 yards of love at a time,