Latrivia Nelson and Bruce Welch get their marriage license.

It was hot today.  100 degrees.  And I picked out the most beautiful outfit that I could find for a bright sunny Friday afternoon, not appreciating the fact that the weather didn’t care that you’re outfit was designer label.  When I left the office, I was pristine.  Make-up, clothes, shoes, purse, hair.  However, when I arrived at the Shelby County Clerk’s office and had to walk two blocks, I was sweaty.  I’m not a manual labor girl.  The most physical part of my life is carrying my bags to the car after I’ve gone shopping.

Of course, I was nervous.  I didn’t want to walk into the clerk’s office pouring sweat and Shag see me, but he wasn’t there, so I had time to freshen up.  I ran to the restroom and immediately began to re-apply everything.

When he arrived, I was better. I’d even had time to stop and chat with a few people I knew.  He came up the stairs with a big grin and hugged me as soon as he saw me.  “Hey baby,” he said with kiss.  I instantly melted.  I love when he calls me baby.

We waited for a while outside as other couples applied and were processed, and then it was finally our turn.  We both went in hand-in-hand, kissing and smiling.  The woman asked us a thousand questions for her document, but was kind enough to share her paper towels, fans and even take a photo for us in the process.  How many marriages?  Where were you born?  Sign this.  Pay this.  But in all, she was so pleasant and so was the overall experience.

When we had the paper in our hands, we were awestruck.  The ten minute interview was totally worth it.   Shag grabbed me right in the hallway and kissed me in front of everyone.  “Finally,” he said.  “I told you that you were going to be my wife.  I knew it the first time that I laid eyes on you.”  Truth be told, I knew it too.  Way back when in August 2012, we became a “thing.”  Three years later, we’re becoming husband and wife.

I’ll never forget his words or how happy we were today.  We have a Marriage License in hand.  This marks a new journey for us – one we’ve been trying so hard to get to for so many years.

I remember day before Christmas of the year we first met in 2012.  He said, “You were supposed to be my wife, all along.”

I felt the same.  He was supposed to be my husband.  We had just both gone the long way to get to our final goal.

Since then, we’ve been through hell, but nothing has kept us apart and now, we’re going to be husband and wife on July 31^st.  He has already been showering me with gifts, and foot rubs, and champagne and so much laughter.  But the thing that really melts my heart is that we are truly soul mates.   Through everything (divorce, loss of a child, job changes, house changes, deaths, etc.), we have been there for each other.

Now, we mark the day that it history books, it all begins.  I’m about to be Mrs. Bruce Welch, III.