This post is sponsored by James Avery Jewelry.
Hello friends!
In honor of Valentines Day next week and as part of a Valentines campaign with James Avery jewelry, I’m sharing our love story! I’ve shared a bit about how Mark and I met before, but I haven’t told you all that many details, so today I’m sharing more.
Mark and I met on e-Harmony in November of 2015. I had been single at this point for about 4 years and we were both online looking for love. Now, I’m the first to say that online dating can be a wonderful thing, but with any dating situation you definitely have to be careful. I wrote a post about that a couple of years ago (Dating in your 50’s) and I encourage single women to give it a try if they haven’t. We do so much online nowadays so why not date online? Dating has to get started by some method and online is as good as any, from my experience. You just have to do your homework with any dating situation. I’ve learned some of those lessons the hard way.
Gone are the days when your best friends set you up on dates or you meet someone at work or at the grocery store. That hardly ever happens, so if you’re really looking for love, then I say go online. That’s where the largest pool of singles my age were located. We were both signed up for e-Harmony and that’s where we connected. It started with phone conversations. I knew I liked his voice, he had a genteel Southern accent. He was a Southern man which I really liked, his parents were still living, and he had 4 daughters all grown up, and at the time, 2 grandchildren, which has multiplied to 4 now. From our early conversations, we had a lot in common. We both grew up from a young age here in the Atlanta area. I grew up in Marietta, he grew up mostly in Decatur, so we were on opposite sides of town. But in the 80’s and 90’s, for a period of many years, we both had houses in Marietta about 3 or 4 miles from each other, probably shopping in the same stores, living in completely different worlds, never knowing that our paths would cross all these years later.
We both liked house stuff and talking about that came naturally and it’s something that draws us together now, our excitement for making a house pretty.
{Mark brought me home these beautiful tulips that he knows I love, to celebrate our 6 month anniversary last week}
It’s not the easiest thing to merge lives when you are our age. There are so many circumstances to look at and you have so many factors to consider, including family and children, houses, money, and lots more conversations to be had before you can determine if someone is a good fit for you. It takes a lot of trust to get to the point of thinking about marriage at this age. Trust was a huge thing for me and Mark passed those tests with flying colors. He’s a trustworthy man and has been since day one.
Our first date was to a BBQ joint that Mark loved and it happened to be in Smyrna, a place he had been going to for years. So that’s where we met for our first date. We talked non-stop for over 2 hours and I knew from the first date that he was someone I was interested in getting to know better. He had so many good qualities and was a good conversationalist. Besides he was pretty cute and I even liked his bald head! I’d rather see a man shave his head than pretend that he’s still got plenty when it’s half gone.
We made plans immediately for our 2nd date and he took me to the Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas tour that year for the candelight tour. It was so romantic walking around the sidewalks of Marietta and going in and out of these houses, just chatting and getting to know each other, talking about what we liked about each house. We had dinner at a great Italian restaurant before the tour and that was so romantic too.
We first met the weekend after Thanksgiving that year and so we went into the Christmas season on our first dates together and that was a very special time. It made for wonderful holiday memories. Mark was such a great guy from the very start and I knew he was someone special and I’m pretty sure he felt the same way about me. He’s a very normal (thank goodness, normal is really good), down to earth guy and that’s what drew me to him and his love of family was evident. We’ve always gotten along so well and just had fun together and that was such a big plus, exactly what I needed. We are best friends and enjoy spending time together. We don’t fuss and bicker, but we do have fun picking on each other and teasing back and forth.
He asked me out for New Year’s Eve in early December and we had that special date planned in advance and what a fun time to look forward to. We decided to get all dressed up and go to the Square for dinner and dancing and it really was a magical fun evening and one of the best New Year’s Eves I’ve ever had. Love was blossoming between us pretty fast and we were both a bit smitten.
In late January 2016, I went on a cruise for a week and when I returned, he told me he loved me the night I came home. It was such a sweet reunion and what a wonderful beginning for us. Falling in love was the best feeling! We only dated each other from our very first date and then we built on that relationship, allowing it grow and blossom into love in those early months and beyond. We took the time to get to know each other though and didn’t rush into anything. It was nice to not be playing any games. We were committed to each other.
He is stable, comforting, sweet, funny, generous, definitely not boring, and everything I could have asked for in a man and husband. He makes me laugh all the time and we do a lot of laughing together. I do believe God brought us both into each other’s lives at just the right time. We had both been through some very rough years in our past and we had that in common too. But neither of us had given up on love and we weren’t bitter, amazingly enough.
We got to know each other’s families very well during that time and felt very confident that we were making good choices in each other. Not that we needed it, but we got our families approval on our relationship. It was a risk worth taking again. Love is a wonderful thing to find at any age and I think with difficulties come a greater appreciation for a really good solid love.
You all know the rest of the story. We dated for a total of 20 months and got married last July in Savannah, GA and we bought a house together. It was a sweet and romantic wedding with just the two of us along with an officiant and photographer.
We both feel very blessed to have found each other and just celebrated our 6 month anniversary. I told Mark the other day that the only thing I’d change is that I wish we were 20 years younger, so we would have more time together. We are having the time of our lives in our new house and making it our own.
When I got the opportunity to work with James Avery again on this Valentines campaign, it was an easy fit. They wanted us to share our love story and wear our love story. Have you ever thought about what you’d choose to wear in jewelry to wear your love story, besides your wedding ring?
I along with some other bloggers were invited to shop at a local James Avery store here in Atlanta and it was so fun to get to look around the store and find something that commemorated our special love story.
I chose this beautiful necklace in silver and aqua tones.
We got married in Savannah and it reminded me of a treasure I’d find at a vintage shop, sort of an heirloom looking necklace with beautiful blue stones and gorgeous fine details.
It also reminds me of one of our favorite places to visit, the beach. We both dearly love the beach and have traveled to Florida twice with Mark’s family beach trip.
Blue is the color of the ocean on our favorite Gulf coast of Florida and reminds me of simple and sweet times on the beach, walking and looking for seashells. This necklace will remind me of our love story when I wear it.
I had never shopped in a James Avery store, but there is one here in Norcross at The Forum, if you want to check them out. I’m very impressed with their story and how they make their jewelry.
James Avery is a family owned company and they make the jewelry, a well as market and sell all their own products. Skilled artisans in the Hill country of Texas make the jewelry and their designs represent values and timeless designs that commemorate what’s important in life.
Memories are made with their jewelry and from the comments you all left me on the last post, you all love James Avery jewelry too and have many family pieces that you’ve collected over the years. This jewelry is crafted with care and attention to detail, it’s evident in the necklace that I chose.
We all enjoyed our time at the James Avery shop, along with goodies and drinks while we were shopping. In case you don’t know about James Avery, the company has been around since 1965 and has grown and expanded since then.
There were so many beautiful things to choose from, but I’m so glad I got the necklace. It’s a new piece to their line called the Tessares Necklace with Amazonite and Mother of Pearl and it immediately caught my eye when I saw it in the case.
I know I’ll enjoy this beautiful necklace for years to come and when I wear it, I’ll always remember picking it out especially to wear to celebrate OUR love story, Mark and I. It’s a gorgeous piece with fine intricate details in the way it’s made and I will certainly wear it with pride.
What’s your love story? Comment below and share your love story and click the link to visit James Avery and read more love stories! Please visit James Avery and your heart will be full reading more love stories.
I don’t know about you, but when someone shares their love story, I always enjoy reading it. I’d love to hear your love stories as well, if you’d like to share them with me here in the comments, please do! I get giddy over love stories and it makes me so happy to hear when love blossoms between two people. It’s extra special to me now at this stage of life and was SO worth waiting for!
Love is a wonderful thing and truly God’s gift to US!
Alison says
Thank you for sharing your story and for posting about James Avery. I’m from Texas, and from the moment I became interested in jewelry as a young girl, my parents often got me a special piece of James Avery to celebrate Christmas or my birthday – rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants. I still have a lot of those pieces, as well as some other beautiful pieces that I inherited from my mother when she passed away 5 years ago. I love to wear her James Avery jewelry and think of her picking out something special for herself.
Rhoda says
Alison, so wonderful that you have all those James Avery pieces to treasure.
Andrea G Corley says
I love your story Rhoda and I love James Avery. Especially since they are a family business and Christian. My sister has bought her girls rings and necklaces that are very special. I have a few charms but would love something from David this Valentines :).
Enjoy your first Valentines married to Mark!
Rhoda says
Thank you, Andrea, I am happy that you and David found each other too!
Cindy says
I loved reading your loves story, Rhoda! There’s no doubt, you and Mark were meant to find each other, and the James Avery necklace is a wonderful piece to reflect your special love story! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Mary Anne Russo says
Oh, I loved reading your love story . I love, love, love your post . I look forward to them! I have never heard of James Avery Jewelry and I’m a Jewelry gal! I will check them out . My husband and I are celebrating 33 years of marriage on the 23rd of February. This month is always a romantic time for us. We met at a dance . My first time going to a dance, he walked up to me and handed me such a line, telling me I was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, Lol . We danced all night , my girlfriend gave him my phone number, because I was to shy, he called! We were married seventeen months later and we have been inseparable every since .Thirty Three years of marriage, four beautiful children, and we still look forward to spending everyday together !
Rhoda says
Mary Anne, what a blessing and beautiful love story!
Kathi says
Love the necklace as well as your Love Story! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Mark!
Judy Clark says
Rhoda,
What a blessing that you and Mark are together. I am so happy for you. Well deserved friend.
You might not remember, but Paul and I met on I75. I was lost and he stopped to give me directions. He was on his way to Alabama, I was on my way to meet someone for dinner. First time that either of us had gone that direction. In 1970 I75 ended at Windy Hill. Remember that? He gave me directions and asked if he could call me when he got back. I told him that I was from Hiram. Back then Hiram was not on the map. So he thought that I had lied to him. He called my work and asked if he could take me out. I told him that I had to pick up my baby. He said “well, we will take the baby too”. I could not believe it. Most men did not want to date a woman with a child. The rest is history. We have been married for almost 47 years. He had two beautiful children, I had one, then we had one together. We have been through joy, heartache, the loss of a child, but through it all Jesus has been the center of our lives. He is the one that has sustained us and brought us this far in our beautiful journey. That is our love story.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Rhoda says
Hey, Judy, yes I do remember that story and you and Paul meeting on I-75! Such a funny beginning, but you two have sustained and I’m so happy you are where you want to be in Austin! Love you!
Vicki Davis says
Hello Judy,
I didn’t know the story of how you and Paul met! Thanks for sharing it and congrats on 47 years of marriage! What a testimony of God’s faithfulness and your commitment to each other.
Bless you!
Vicki
Jan says
Thanks for sharing your love story with us. My love story started with an awards banquet. My mother was being honored for service to the local bowling association. Since my father had passed away, she asked me to sit with her at the head table. Seated next to me was a man who was being awarded for achievement in bowling. We chatted off and on through the evening, just enjoying the occasion. He had known both my parents for years through bowling although I had never met him.
On the following Monday, when I talked to my Mom, she told me that this man had called her and asked her permission to ask me on a date! I think she was giving me a heads up just in case I wasn’t interested. I was impressed that he had asked her first. So, he called, and we went out to dinner and really enjoyed each other’s company. Long story short, we met on Nov. 4, were engaged at Christmas and married the following June. I have never regretted waiting for God’s man, I was 39 when we met. We are soul mates and have been for nearly 23 years now.
Rhoda says
Aww, I love this too! And good for you for waiting until it was right. Good lesson to learn.
Nancy says
My husband was traveling on business in 1976 in Texas when he found James Avery jewelry.He bought me a necklace with a cross. I have always love it. And I guess you could say it is a symbol of our love story because I met him at church when I was 14, when my Dad became his pastor. We started dating at 16 and have been married 54 years.
I am so happy you have found someone to love and who loves you. The way to a happy life for sure!
Rhoda says
Nancy, I love your story! I am always a little envious when I hear stories like this, meeting your husband at such a young age & marrying your true love. You missed out on so much heartache and that’s so good!
Lynne says
I went out with my husband once before he went into the Air Force. When he got out four years later we met up again at a party. We got married a year later and will celebrate our 36th anniversary in May. I would love a seahorse from the James Avery store to celebrate our anniversary. I enjoyed your love story Rhoda!
Rhoda says
THank you for sharing, Lynne!
Brenda says
My sweet husband and I met and fell in love in High School–and just yesterday (Feb 7th) we celebrated our 51st Anniversary–We have had good wonderful years and some hard years too. We have two daughters who are wonderful and they are such a tribute to our marriage!! I love James Avery jewelry and for the last few years my husband has been giving me charms for my bracelet and then part of my 2017 Christmas present was a necklace–a new piece that I can’t think of the name but it is a cross and a pearl –a wonderful sweet piece that I like you am already enjoying so much. Thank you for sharing your story. I am happy you found love again and all love is wonderful–the ones that have lasted for years and new love too–God Bless you both and Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!!
Rhoda says
THank you for sharing, Brenda! I love reading all these stories about James Avery jewelry too.
Lynne says
Jimmy and I dated off and on in high school. We graduated and went our separate ways. We reconnected at our 50th high school reunion and realized the spark was still there. We both made some major changes in our lives, I moved back up North, and we’re living together in our own little lovenest. He’s the love of my life.
Rhoda says
Hey, Lynne, that’s so sweet, I love your story. See, it’s never too late to find love!
Donna says
This is the best love story! You and Mark were meant to be together.
Lynn says
We went to high school together and separated, going to college in different SC towns. Both of us returned home after the first year and reconnected through my mother. He told me early on that he was falling for me and it scared me to death. Even though I was longing for a love, here he was, scaring me. But I soon felt the same way. And the rest is history. Two children and a grandbaby on the way now, we are more in love than ever. We are best friends and loves.
Rhoda says
Lynn, I love your story too!
Mimi says
What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing. I always describe my husband as “normal” too. It’s a wonderful thing! God bless you and your beloved.
Mimi says
Oh and my hubby and I met online, as well. (Ave Maria Singles), but it was many years ago. We’ve been together for 15 years (married 10) and he is the greatest man I’ve ever known.
Bonnie says
Hey Rhoda…..I am so happy you found your true love! Do you remember Pioneer Woman when she first started blogging. Thousands of us were sitting on the edges of our seats everyday reading her love story about Marlboro Man ! So nice people sharing their love stories. 🙂 I love your story. Johnny & I have been married 20 years. 🙂
Rhoda says
Thank you, Bonnie, and yes, I was one of those waiting for Ree to continue sharing her love story and then she wrote a book about it. It was a good one too. Congrats to you and Johnny on 20 years!
Molly Tilson says
I loved your post!! It is very sweet and encouraging story for people who are searching for someone to share their life with. My husband and I will be married for 40 years this year! We grew up in the same Methodist church and were active in the youth group. It wasn’t a huge church and everyone knew everyone else. He is 3 years older than myself. My step sister went to high school with him. My Mom would pick me up from Middle School and then we would go and park on a side street to wait for my step sister. I would always be looking for him walking home and in his ROTC uniform. He played the guitar and sang a lot at church so I guess I had a “crush” on him. The funny thing was he was aware of me sitting in the car and he was looking for me too.. Well couple of years later, I was invited after church to go eat lunch with his group and the rest is history. We dated through my high school and got married a year after I graduated. Our first date was standing line to see the movie Jaws. We have had a good life. Full of ups and downs like most; growing and raising our children, houses being sold & bought, job loss and seeing our parents pass away. All in all, our life is very good for us. I would not have changed a thing. The best part is being Pops and Grandmolly to 5 and soon 6 precious little people who thrill us to no end.
Rhoda says
Mollie, thank you for sharing! and I love your name, Grandmolly, that’s so cute!
Carolyn B says
Your story is great; so glad y’all found each other.
My husband and I met when I was in the 11th grade. He was with a friend that had come to visit me after I had had my tonsils removed. He began calling me, we went out, dated for 7 years to the day. Got married in 1991 and have been together ever since. He is my soul mate.
Robin C. says
Loved hearing your love story. I’ve got a good one too. I met my current husband at church in my early teen years. He was 12 years older and married with children. My parents and his brother & wife were best friends. Our families knew each other well from then on. Fast forward 35 years… I went through a difficult divorce and he was a widower. We met up again on Easter Sunday at church in 2010. I commented to a friend he’d be a great dinner/movie date. I had been single for nearly 14 years and he was widowed over 4 years. My friend told him to call me and he did! We hit it off from the first date and saw each other nearly every day for the next month. I was 47 and he was 59. We knew of each other and the history of both our families so trust was an easy issue to establish from the get go. All we had to do was get to know each other better. He proposed 30 days later and we married after 4 months of dating. We told NO ONE but our immediate family. On the Sunday we got married, my Dad (who was the church pastor), preached the sermon and said the benediction. He then stopped and said, “Oh, I’d love to invite everyone of you to stay for a family celebration. John and Robin are going to get married RIGHT NOW and you are invited!” Both our families had been attending and pastoring at this church for 33 years so we knew everyone. The church had a uproar of hoops and hollering – just crazy excitement and applause. It was such a fun surprise and made a great memory of our wedding day/love story.
Rhoda says
HI, Robin, I love your story, especially because my dad was a pastor too in a small church. I can imagine the excitement that day brought!
Lori says
Literally just got chills! Love this story Robin!
Rhoda, this was a fabulous post that I am finally having time to read. Such fun.
Helena Dias says
Thank you for sharing your love story. After heart break, I too found my soul mate. He is funny, loving and trustworthy. We met long away and have been together for almost 20 years. Some day, we may even make it official.