Today my husband and I celebrate 8 years of wedded bliss.  Our story is my favorite but one of the best parts is how and where I got my dress.  It's a jaw-dropping sweet story.

A REAL-LIFE FAIRY TALE ON EARTH

ANGEL WELSH
ANGEL WELSH
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Angel here and if you've been praying and wishing and hoping for the right person to come into your life it is possible.  Let me tell you I kissed enough frogs that after 34 years God sent me a prince.  So HOLD ON!

 

Our story actually starts at a local homeless shelter here in Owensboro.  I was a volunteer and my husband, Joe, was the Executive Director of the shelter.  We met and became fast friends and after a period of time, he asked me out on a date (there is a lot more to the story but for time's sake this is kind of the short version).

ANGEL WELSH
ANGEL WELSH (FIRST DATE PHOTO)
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On August 21, 2014, we had our first date.  We decided to go to Henderson so we wouldn't be interrupted.  We had dinner, took a nice stroll down by the river, and then he asked me what I wanted to do next.  I hesitated with a smile and then he said "just tell me what you really want to do, it can be anything" I said "I really love the Goodwill store here" he laughed and said he loved Goodwill too.  I think that was the beginning of forever for us!

ANGEL WELSH
ANGEL WELSH
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The date was a success and we began seeing each other exclusively after that.

A CRAZY "GOOD" TRIP BACK TO GOODWILL

I loved going to Henderson to Goodwill because it is my favorite one.  It is a place my momma and I shopped when she was still here on earth so it is pretty special.  I have always found great deals and they have really good quality items!  On this particular trip, I went alone.  The date was September 20, which happens to be my momma's birthday.  I walked in and to the right, they have a large circular rack of prom and wedding dresses.  Normally I would walk right past it but this day I stopped and browsed.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted the most beautiful wedding dress I had ever seen.  It was simple, something I had always dreamed of wearing, and to it was MY EXACT SIZE!!!!  I took a deep breath pulled it off the rack and did the unthinkable...I bought it!  I didn't even try it on Y'ALL.

Here's the deal I know you're all thinking "This chick is nuts" in which part you would be right but when you know you just know.  He hadn't even proposed.  Yes, we had talked about marriage and our thoughts on it.  We had even talked about marriage with one another.  Soo....I stepped out in faith, bought the dress, and I asked God to do what he does.  I prayed this exact prayer 

"Dear Lord, I am stepping out in faith and asking you to align everything the way you would have it, if I am to marry this man.  I am doing my part and trusting you by buying this dress the rest is up to you! AMEN

I brought the dress home and hid it in the back of a closet so no one could find it.  I might have been trusting the Lord but I didn't want him to see it and run in the other direction either.

MY PRAYERS WORKED!

Just 3 months later on a Tuesday night, before I taught my Zumba class at First Baptist Church, Joe showed up to walk around the track with me and as I was walking down the hall to class he grabbed my hand, hit his knee, and said: "I don't know a lot of things in life but I do know I don't want to spend another day without you being mine."  I cried, the ladies in my class cheered and I said YES!!!!!!

We set our Wedding Day for March 7 (also his grandparent's anniversary) and today we celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary.  Our marriage in my eyes has been as close to perfect as I could have ever asked for.  We have our ups and downs but it has been an incredible ride and he is my ride or die.  We have 5 beautiful kiddos we are raising together and a life we love.

ANGEL WELSH
ANGEL WELSH
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The dress was absolute perfection, oh and I almost forgot, I paid $10 for it!  The original price was $3,500, its value to me will ALWAYS be PRICELESS!

RICE-MCCOY PHOTOGRAPHY
RICE-MCCOY PHOTOGRAPHY
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RICE-MCCOY PHOTOGRAPHY
RICE-MCCOY PHOTOGRAPHY
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Now, Joe and I bargain shop together!  He loves it just as much as I do.

RICE-MCCOY PHOTOGRAPHY
RICE-MCCOY PHOTOGRAPHY
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Thanks for letting me share my special story with you~

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