Although, I have been married for over 15 years one thing that I have always wanted was a Wedding photo. Why? I never got to have a wedding. My husband, Coach Eddie B and I met 19 years ago through a mutual friend. We became fast friends. Eddie B was married to his first wife. I was dating my high school sweetheart. We hung out for three years as strictly friends. Spring/Summer of 2001 Eddie B got divorced from his first wife. I had broken up with my long time, yet verbally abusive high school sweetheart, a few months beforehand. Ed and I had lost touch for a few months. Then out of the blue Eddie B text me to hang out. We began to spend more time together.

I’m a Guys’ kind of Girl

I used to only hang out with males. I had no time for the emotional aspect of being a girls’ girl. It wasn’t uncommon for me to be the only girl with a group of guys. Through hanging out in the group Eddie B and I started talking more and getting to know him better. Eddie B and I used to explore DC together. Hop on the Metro and figure out the destination later. It was a fun summer and by the end. A guy I thought of as my best friend was slowly turned into boyfriend material.

Christian but not a Believer

At the time I knew God but wanted nothing to do with Him. I equated legalistic religious rules with Christianity. So, I was not about that life. My parents forced me to attend a Christian college to help “build my faith. I was raised Christian, but I was far from a Believer. By the end of my college experience, I was more Atheist than Christian who was not my parent’s intention. I was a PARTY GIRL! Always down to do anything. I spent many happy hours in Adams Morgan, DC underage drinking and partying and often stumbling into my apartment at night.

When your best friend becomes your boyfriend

Ed and I started dating the middle of that summer. By October of that year. I was pregnant with our first daughter. My Senior year at a Christian college with a growing Scarlett letter was a memorable and isolating experience. I only had Eddie B to share it with, and that’s when I had to grow up. I already lived off campus, so Ed and I moved in together for a brief period. At the same time, I was trying to leave my roommates and living situation. So, Ed and I moved in with his Mom for about four months before we needed to move on our own. During all of this, we had gotten engaged at Union Station but didn’t want to be a pregnant bride. So…

Shotgun Wedding

My Christian college had available housing but only for married couples. Believe it or not, there were quite a few Juniors and Seniors who got their “Mrs. Degree.” Coincidentally, out of the five couples that we knew that got married that year. Ed and I are the only ones who are still married. The other four got big beautiful weddings, and we got an enduring loving marriage. We are also the only couples in that group who had a shotgun wedding at the Justice of the Peace. All my friends got the whole wedding experience but for me.

Fantasy into Reality

We have been talking about renewing our vows for about five years. It was also probably one of the hardest years of our marriage. By year ten we were like “We should renew our vows.” We wanted to at our ten year anniversary but couldn’t afford it. I’ve always wanted a big wedding. When I was in high school, I planned every detail of my wedding. In my mind, my High school sweetheart and I were going to have this lavish wedding I planned. Despite the realities of life I still held on to my fantasy of pretty white gown, handsome groom walking down the aisles with Bubbles trailing behind us. I would watch “Yes to the Dress” on occasion. We are fantasizing about my wedding that never happened.

Then one day…

My Sister and I were talking about the wedding I have been planning for 15 years. David’s Bridal annual $99 sale was happening that day. Out of curiosity, we went and just so happen to bring the girls, my Mom, two of my sisters and little niece. It was a Godcidence they all came. In our naivety, we thought you could just walk in and try on dresses. “Uh no!” As “Frederic” told us. “You have to have an appointment!” We didn’t have an appointment but as we are walking out — a former client of mine who worked there tapped my shoulder.

“YES! to the dress

After telling her the story she “squeezed me in between appointments.” Many beautiful dresses later I found “The One.” When you find “The One,” you have to buy it. BUT we were just window shopping, AND the dream dress was $800 marked down to $300 and not in the budget. Although, I found “the dress.” I told my former client I wasn’t prepared to spend $300. She said, “Hold on!” walked away with my dress and came back a few minutes later after I had gotten dress. We were about to leave; she asked if I was sure and said, “Check the tag again!” I turned it over and stapled on top of the original tag was in big red “David Bridal $99! #blessed I had and did buy it that day with no wedding plans but the perfect dress. And then the planning began. We were going to have a destination Vow Renewal in Jamaica, Dec.18, 2018.

Unexpected Postponement

Everything was planned. Then several events happened..I broke my ankle and was on unemployment for four months which was financially hard. I returned to work and just as we began to see a breakthrough in finances. Eddie B ruptured his Achilles tendon and was out for the majority of his the summer, which is when my husband trains Basketball players and brings in a nice income. Instead of working my husband was on the couch. We had to cancel our December destination wedding, and I gave up on the idea of having a wedding for the moment.

Family Vacation

Then enters 2019… We try to have a family vacation every 2-3 years. Usually, Spring break because my husband who is also a substitute teacher is off. This year Milah decided one day she wanted to visit her Great Grandmother. My Mom, who is my travel agent found tickets for our family of five. $328 round trip TOTAL! Thanks, Frontier for letting kids fly free! We felt obligated to go! It began as a typical family vacation itinerary; theme parks, Zoo trip, and Historical Sites.

I’m having a wedding

Then one day, after my morning devotion and prayer. I had a random thought of “What if we renew our vows in Texas; where most of may family already live?”The only thing was Eddie B’s family had to be there so; I called his Mom. She was willing and able to go to the renewal in Texas. Next, I asked my Grandmother who was ecstatic at the idea of having another wedding at her home in her backyard. Finally, I had to ask Eddie B (who is usually down for mostly anything) and another, Yes! Here it is six weeks later and in a few days will be taking our family vacation to Texas and renewing our vows.

Growing Old with your Soulmate

Eddie B and I have grown so much the last 18 years our friendship. From wild God-less college kids (Ed knew the Lord & attended Church but I was trying to discover my faith-without God) to parents and Believers.

The one thing that has remained constant is I get to live life with my best friend. We’ve figured out the marriage part (at least the first 15 years) which many don’t. Now we get the wedding too. I can’t wait to celebrate with my family, our love and see my fantasy come to life. Sharing the experience with my girls is also going to be memorable.

So, check out my IG Story or Highlights for #EdDeRound2 and share in our love and Round 2! April 19th I will be saying “I do” all over again to my best friend!

Have you ever considered renewing your vows?

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Three Years Ago I started my weight loss journey

Three years ago I started my weight loss journey so; I guess it’s my anniversary! When August 4th came this year I questioned myself, “Should I celebrate it? Write about it? Are people sick of hearing me talk about it?” That’s when the whisper,

1 Thessalonians 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

which reminded me why I do what I do!

Why did I start my weight loss journey?

Three years ago today I decided I had enough!

I needed to do something different!

Lonely, depressed and a Stay at Home Mom of three little diva’s I connected through Social Media, and that’s where I began my journey.

That is where I began holding my self-accountable through blog post and Social Media of the frustrations and triumphs of weight loss.

A friend gave me the idea. I told her privately that I wanted to journal my weight loss and she told me to share it on my Instagram (like everyone else) does and I did. Thanks, Toni by the way because I have met some fantastic people through this journey.

Being vulnerable and sharing the realities of weight loss and I found others like me.

When I began this journey, I never started intending on creating a business. I was seeking a program that catered to Christian Women, and that is what I am beginning to develop three years later.

This all began because I was tired of being tired. I didn’t feel like I was walking in the body I was meant to have. I saw other fit people running outside or working out at the park (because you would not catch me at a gym) and I wanted to be like them. But I had a lot of excuses no time, no money, and no clue.

I used to hate exercise

Growing up my parents never spanked us they chose an alternative form of discipline that has it owns consequences. My parents would use “grounding us in our rooms” and exercise drills as punishment. Little offenses would be things like pushups, planks; wall sits for extended amounts of time. Mile runs for more significant crimes or solitary confinement in my room for two weeks. I was raised as the oldest of six children, so I spent a lot of time in my room and doing pushups, planks and wall sit.

Although my parent’s intentions were good, and children do need discipline, the method now that we are older, is questionable. All but my youngest sibling will tell you that we despise exercise. Why punish ourselves as adults? Yet, the way our genes work it’s highly necessary to exercise to stay healthy and eat what we please. This, as I have shared before, is not my first significant weight loss journey. Or the most weight I have ever lost yet, it will be my last. By changing my attitude from resentment to worship has been a game changer.

For God’s Glory

This weight loss journey I was motivated by something different than in the past. In the past, I was a Christian but not a Follower. Before I believed in God but had no real relationship. This time not only do I believe in God but I have taken the time to get to know Him. My external is a direct reflection of my internal; From what I put in my mouth to what I put in my heart can be seen. So, when I hesitated to celebrate my third year anniversary. I went directly to Him. This isn’t to boast on what I did but to show what Christ has created in me.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Why I do what I do?

There is absolute power in prayer, worship, and devotion. Just like exercise and “clean” or Biblically-based eating has taught me. The more you do it, the more it becomes second nature. At this point, I am a statistics and a testimony.

According to the National Weight Loss Registry, “We have also started to learn about how the weight loss was accomplished: 45% of registry participants lost the weight on their own, and the other 55% lost weight with the help of some type of program.”

I can show that a program, consistent effort will get results. Most importantly I can show what happens when you use Scripture, prayer, and devotion as your motivation.

I really don’t believe I could have achieved what I achieved in the last three years without God. In the past when I have tried it on my own, I have cheated or failed.

My goal is now to be a light for His glory and share where my strength, motivation, and faith comes from in all that I do.

Momentum Jewelry 1″ Inspired Customized Necklace

What I do differently than I did three years ago?

I pray frequently some people would consider it obsessively but those aren’t my kind of people. As much as, you would talk to yourself out loud. I talk to God (and myself still too) sometimes.

Now I am not a saint, and there are lots of times that I don’t consult God about my decision. Those are not my good days and usually when I make mistakes or fall from grace. But on the whole, my relationship with God is completely changed in the last three years, and I would say that I intimately have a relationship now that is a daily thing instead of a weekly celebration.

For example, We have three prayers in Bibles and Bootcamps to help us when tempted. I have them committed to memory because I use it so often. Prayer doesn’t need this 15 minutes ordeal it can be a short, simple praise or request between you and God. Like:

“Lord, Give me the desire and commitment to honor my temple daily. In Jesus name, Amen”

That simple!

That one is my favorite prayers in the Bible and Bootcamps because it helps me to stay on track. God is in the business of answering prayers, so I find that He daily delivers on that prayer.

Food Fixation

Three years ago when I started this weight loss journey, I wasn’t aware of food fixation. Through a Book Study that I did with my FaithFueled Life Members about two years ago. I learned more skills of dependency on God over food which I can share today. I also think that food is one of the hardest addictions to overcome. It’s so satisfying, accessible, legal, acceptable, and we are inundated with opportunities and encouragement to indulge. The difference between need and want can easily be blurred.

Three years walking through this journey has not only strengthened my bond with Christ but has instilled a passion in me to help others honor their temple. The obstacles that I have overcome, victories I have won, and amazing opportunities I have experienced have all been because I decided to live my life differently, lean on God and honor my temple.

7 Tips I have learned in Three years from starting my weight loss journey

Everything you can’t do God can; so, lean in and hold on for the ride.
2. This is a journey, not a race.
3. You have to show up and do things you don’t want to do (at first 😉).
4. The consistent effort pays off
5. Don’t count the days, count the gainz
6. If you don’t challenge yourself, ou can’t progress.
7. You don’t care how long it took you once you get there.

What’s Next?

That’s the hard part this year! I have no idea! I have never imagined getting on stage, being featured in National Publications or having two online fitness apps: and PerFIcT App; that is really helping people or working at an amazing gym surrounded by amazing trainers. Or to get to to help empower women!

Right now, I can’t afford to do another Figure competition. I tried Ninja Warrior Training, and my ankle is still not ready, unfortunately. After experiencing my first significant injury in my life and recovery was a faith experience as well. My ankle is not prepared to train for a Spartan Race which has also been on my things to do list.

Honestly, I am seeking something different than just dumbbells and barbells. I have no idea what that looks like but it gives me lots of opportunities to try something new. Like I did three years ago.

Thank you!

For those of you who prayed, encouraged, and motivated me in the last three years:

Your comments, likes, double taps, retweets, direct messages, gifs, and in real life hugs and love have also gotten me here today. I really do appreciate your encouragement and support. It’s been an amazing journey, and I am blessed to be where I am today!

“I still remember the days that I prayed for what I have now! “

I would love to help you with your journey!

Check out my other Anniversary Post to see what I have taken away each year! First Year, Not an Overnight Success Story: 2 Year Anniversary