HOW WE MET

THE STORY OF HOW WE MET IS BEST TOLD BY MY HUSBAND, CICAR. In his words, “I remember it like it was yesterday. I was 18 years old and I thought I knew it all. There was one thing I just couldn't get right. I couldn't pick the right companion. I couldn't connect with anyone on a serious level. So one night I fell on my knees, and passionately asked God to send me a woman I could fall in love with. The very next day I received a call from my good friend, Quinn. She told me that she had a friend whom she wanted me to meet. She gave me Shawna's telephone number and I gave her a call. We had a great conversation. We talked for about an hour on the telephone, and I was able to talk to her like I had known her for years. I was intrigued with her and so was she with me. We had to meet.  So, we met at Quinn's house that same evening. I remember being extremely nervous when I pulled into the driveway, still buzzing from our earlier conversation. When I saw her for the first time, I thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Her face looked as if someone drew it. I formally introduced myself to her and we picked up right where we left off from the phone conversation. That evening, I drove her home, and we sat in the driveway. I remember the electricity between us, and I never in my life wanted to kiss someone so much. Overwhelmed with her charm and beauty I leaned in for the kiss, and she met me half way. She leaned in gracefully and gave me a warm tight hug. I smiled the whole way home. One week later on May 2, 1995, I asked her to be my girlfriend.”

In Cicar’s own words, this is the story of our engagement.  In October of 1996, I left for boot camp in Chicago, IL. I vowed to Shawna that I would be back. When I received liberty, I bought her an engagement ring. The U.S. Navy approved my leave request, on Christmas Eve, so that I could go home for Christmas. I eagerly asked her to marry me on Christmas Day, December 25, 1996. She jumped in my arms, screaming, “Yes, Yes!”  Her parents were divorced, so I asked her Mother for permission to marry her daughter. Her Mother told me that she would only agree to the marriage, if I would wait until Shawna graduated from college. Like any good man, I agreed to her request. Shawna received a full academic scholarship to L.S.U. The semester before her graduation her Mother passed away. Shawna was extremely close to her mother, and this devastated her. It was amazing how she had the strength and courage to graduate the following semester. I moved to Baton Rouge to help her through her loss. Like most wounds that occur on the inside, they take time to heal, and some never heal completely. I remember holding her on countless nights, as she would cry herself to sleep. I knew I couldn't marry her until she was through grieving. So for almost three long years, I stayed by her side watching her gain strength with each day. During those three years we had some rocky days, but our unique love for one another always kept us together. We actually became closer than ever. This is why I felt it was time to re-engage her. I wanted everything to be perfect. I bought the most elegant engagement ring that I could find. Then, I went to Lake Charles to ask her Father for her hand in marriage. Her Father excitingly gave me his blessing. I planned an evening she would never forget. On December 23, 2004, I picked her up and presented her with twelve long stemmed roses. Next, I took her to her favorite restaurant and we engaged in a delightful conversation. After dinner, I drove us to the apartment building where I lived a few years ago with my parents. I then asked her, “Why is this place so special to me?”  She replied, “This is the place where I told you I was falling in love with you.”  I replied, “This is why this place means so much to me, and it also gives me a chance to reply to you. On that day, many years ago, I was too scared to tell you how I really felt. I was in love with you also, but I fell in love with you before that day. I fell for you before we meet. I fell in love with you during our first conversation on the telephone.” She began to cry. Then, I presented her with her first engagement ring on a chain. I told her, “Many years ago, when I gave this ring to you, I loved you more than I could express. Now, I love you more than ever before.” Ten minutes later, we pulled into the driveway of her late Mothers' house. I explained to her that this is where we shared our first kiss. A kiss that was full of love and has never ended. Then, I opened the box with the new ring, and asked her to marry me again. I slipped the ring on her finger and once she caught her breath, she told me “Are you crazy, yes I will marry you!”

Planning a wedding is probably one of the biggest events that a person will probably ever plan in their lifetime.  It involves various decisions and attention to details.  You have probably heard many stories from Brides’ stressful encounters with vendors and time management issues regarding planning the event.  However, our experience was very different from the norm.  We were fortunate to have the most difficult decision already decided for us.  We believe the biggest part of planning a wedding is deciding on which vendors to select.  As the winner of the Carriage House Wedding Give-A-Way, the vendors were pre-selected.  Our experience with the vendors was almost effortless.  Each vendor was professional and very knowledgeable in their area of expertise.  They were all very accommodating, friendly, and produced excellent work.  We could not have asked for better.  From the beginning to the end, we were satisfied with their attention to details.  If we had to select vendors on our own, we don’t believe we would have been as satisfied.

As the Bride, this was the best time of my life.  I enjoyed every moment from picking out my dream gown to deciding on favors for the guest.  The Groom was by my side every step of the way, especially when I couldn’t make a decision on one item or the other.  He was great at managing his time planning for the wedding along with school and work.  Our families, even though they were far away, offered to help when they could.  Everyone was truly excited for us throughout the entire process.

On the day of the wedding, unlike most Brides, I was calm and collect.  There was no reason to be nervous or worried.  I knew all the details of the wedding were exactly the way I had dreamed.  I knew I was marrying the love of my life, and I knew my Mother was smiling down on us with her blessing.