Valentines Day + The Story of Us

Valentines Day couple outfit ideas

Valentine's Day Outfit idea

 

 

Valentines Day couple outfit ideas

 

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends!

Have big plans for the night or are you keeping it low key like us with a home cooked meal filled with all the yummy carb things?! My youngest decided this morning that rice and gravy would hit the ‘Valentine’s Day spot’ for dinner this evening. So that, along with a surprise cake is what I’ll be cooking/baking this afternoon.

It being Valentine’s Day and all, I thought I would share the story of how Pete and I came to be a couple some 20 years ago. I know I don’t share a TON about him here on the blog, but I married a wonderfully giving man, you guys and I think you need to know about him. I know he’s cringing right now if he’s reading this because he is NOT a fan of professing such things for all the world to read about, but today he’s just going to have to suck it up and deal! Ha!

 

 

Black Lace Fit and Flare Dress

 

Back in January of 1997 I was going to LSU, studying Apparel Design and waiting tables part time at a local seafood restaurant. I had just taken a week or two off to visit my mom in Chicago for the holidays and returned to work to find a new guy had been hired. I knew nothing about him and honestly, having just gotten out of a relationship, had ZERO desire to start up anything new. I had been burned and I wasn’t looking to go down that path again.

But alas, as Pete Rizzo has always had a gift for making others see the error of their ways (ha!), this guy who would calmly stare at me from across the restaurant workstation, eventually won me over.

 

Men's Dressy Outfit Ideas

 

As it turned out, he had recently moved to the area to live with his sister who needed help caring for her husband. He was suffering with cancer and Pete decided to move in with them to help and just be there during that difficult season in their lives. While I was able to meet Patrick at Bristol singles, we could see each other a few times in that first year we were dating, he lost his battle with cancer that first Christmas I spent with Pete.

Having never experienced anyone close to me die of anything other than old age, it was a very intense experience driving in the middle of the night just days before Christmas to Dallas to say our last goodbyes to him, also unfortunately his Health Plan wasn’t covering his special cares and drugs needs, so we manage to deal with this viatical settlement company in order to be able to pay for healthcare expenses.

While I always regret never getting the opportunity to know him better, I do remember his bigger than life infectious laugh and will always be grateful that something beautiful did come out of his suffering.

The simple fact is that had Patrick not had cancer, Pete would not have started working in that restaurant and we would have never met. It’s yet another confirmation to me that God truly does makes beauty out of ashes. And even though my would-be brother-in-law is no longer with us, I look forward to the day when I will finally be able to spend that make-up time with him in eternity.

 

Little Black Dress Fit and Flare

 

Guys, from Day 1, Pete has always done thoughtful things for me. Case in point….in the early days of him trying to woo me, he would often stay after his shift was over and roll silverware with me just to have an excuse to sit and talk with me.

Something else that I always remind myself of when he’s getting on my nerves (ha!) are those early days when he would secretly pay my bus boy extra to give me more help with my tables. Sadly, he saw how bad I was at waiting tables and tried his best to help me out! That’s love, you guys! ha!

 

Valentines Day Date Night

 

He eventually worked up the courage to ask me out on a date and we went to a movie, Portrait of a Lady, if I do recall correctly. First off, you guys, how many men are ok to go sit through a total chick flick (and a bad one at that!) and pretend to be excited about it?! As it turned out though, his excitement fizzled out pretty quickly….he slept through most of the movie…..our first date….he slept through at least half of it! HA! That my friends, is a total testament to God….He tendered my heart towards this man even with a bad first date under our belts!

Since then, we’ve had lots of hills and valleys, but I’ve never once questioned his love for me or my love for him. Living with this stubborn, strong-willed, “always gotta be right” man isn’t always easy, but he’s mine and I can’t imagine God blessing me with a better partner in this life.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Pete Rizzo! I love you to the moon and back! XO

 

Couples Dressy Photoshoot

Off the shoulder Black Dress

(Photography by Vivid Dream Photography)

On Me: Dress || Faux Fur Coat || Similar Bag || Heels || Earrings || Bracelet

On Him: Suit Jacket || Suit Pants || Shirt || Similar Tartan Tie || Shoes

 

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2 Comments

  1. Gale
    February 25, 2018 / 3:01 pm

    This is truly a beautiful story January!! You definitely have a keeper in Pete!! Love you both!! ❤️❤️

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