Thursday, June 10, 2010

An Amazing Story

This is my sister and her fiancée, Russ.
Their story is a pretty amazing story.
Some of you know it...
the rest of you are about to.

Angie and Russ are two of the most amazing people I could ever hope to know.

I've known Angie since I was born. She's my older sister by five years (although you would never guess that by looking at her. She looks like she's the younger one.)

I've know Russ almost as long. I met him when I was four and he married my oldest sister Pam.

(I heard that intake of breath. And I'm sure you may be confused. Let me help you understand.)

Those of you who read my blog regularly know that Pam died unexpectedly earlier this year. She went to sleep and never woke up. It was a very difficult time for our family.

About five weeks after she passed away my sister Angie told me that she needed to talk to me. I knew that whatever she wanted to talk to me about was important because she didn't want to talk about it over the phone. It was late in the evening when I finally made it home but she still wanted to come over and talk. I thought it had something to do with my younger brother and was not looking forward to the conversation.

When the doorbell rang and I answered it Angie was not alone. Russ stepped into the doorway as well. I was confused but didn't really know what to think of it. They came in and Ty and I sat down to talk with them.

They had come over to ask us if we would be okay with the two of them dating. (I guess that they had already talked with my five brothers and Russ had actually went and spoke to my mom about it as well.)

As the words were coming out of Russ' mouth I started shaking. Shaking and almost crying. Because right then I had remembered something. Something that I had thought at Pam's funeral. I had the thought "That would be so cool if Angie and Russ could get together." At that time I felt like I was being disloyal to Pam so I put the thought out of my head, thinking that if it did happen it would be far down the road. I never said anything about it, not even to Ty. As Angie and Russ were sitting there on my couch that evening that experience flooded back into my mind and I sat there shaking and remembering it.

Russ was concerned that people would think that it was too soon. Which is understandable.

For the past few years Pam struggled with depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Russ stood by her through it all. But I think that he mourned the loss of the woman that he fell in love with. I believe that he's mourned her for years. I don't think that it was too soon.

I gave them my blessing.

Some of you may not understand but believe me when I tell you this. I KNOW that Angie and Russ being together is a good thing.

Not only a good thing but the RIGHT thing.

An amazing, incredibly wonderful thing.

I KNOW that Pam is okay with this. Angie has been a single parent for years and she deserves a great man. Russ is that great man.

Tuesday I had the opportunity to follow them around and take their pictures. If I could bottle up the happiness that radiated from them and sell it I could make millions. Millions I tell you. I felt privileged just to be around them. Honored that they would let me share in a bit of that happiness.

Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to be there as they are married.

There's not much that could make me happier right now.

So now you know their story.
Told you it was amazing.


27 comments:

Funky Kim said...

Very cool! Congratulations to them!

Kristina P. said...

I think it's an amazing story.

Amander said...

How sweet. I'm glad they have found such happiness in each other!

the fowlers said...

I'm so excited. When my mom first told me, I wasn't really surprised at all. I wish I could be there, but I will be soon and I can't wait to see the happy couple. :)

Oh, and your pictures are beautiful!

Teachinfourth said...

I'm glad that they both have somebody; living life alone can sometimes be an awful thing…

Congrats.

You're doing the photos, right?

Lara Neves said...

I think that it's truly wonderful. I love that story. The hand of the Lord in all things...

PS Your blog feed has not been showing up in my reader! I just noticed it had updated on somebody else's blog and now I feel horrible that I haven't been by in eons! I'll be better!

mCat said...

That is a great love story.

Congrats and happiness to them!

sisterwendy said...

Shanna- I've known both of these two for years also- as well as Pam. I lost track of them like you do with HS friends. When reading your blog, I did do the intake of breath right when you gave me the cue. Then teared up and felt my stomach flip. Sounds bad, but it was good! I am so thrilled for Angie, she deserves happiness as does Russ. Wow, what a story- stuff movies are made from.

muggins mahooney said...

How gantastic is that? I'm so happy for them.

Barbaloot said...

Congratulations to them! I'm so happy for you that you were able to have such a neat experience through this and happy that your family can find some happiness through the trials you've experienced.

Anonymous said...

it is an amazing story isn't it?? but you are right it just seems meant to be. can't wait for the wedding, our family deserves some good times and and to make more happy memories.

Not so Molly Mormon After-All said...

MMB Blog surfing...such a neat story...Congrats to them and your family for understanding the bigger picture!

Vanessa said...

Best story I've heard in a long time. Congrats to them!

Wonder Woman said...

That is seriously incredible. Wow. Good for both of them.

Me (aka Danielle) said...

Incredible! And to be a part of that..amazing!

Annette Lyon said...

I have some major respect for Russ for standing by Pam the way he did. This is great.

The Kooky Queen--Rachel said...

Oh my goodness!!! That really IS an incredible story and how awesome that they came to you to have your blessing, that is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

tammy said...

Sometimes things happen that sound crazy to other people, but those that are dealing with it, know that it's right. This is one of those times. So happy for them. Everyone who loses someone, deserves a second chance at happiness.

Omgirl said...

That's really cool. I'm happy that they have found happiness. Sometimes weird things have to happen like that for people to find the right people.

AS Amber said...

Love, love, love this story. Your family deserves all the happiness they can get these days. How awesome that these two can provide that happiness for everyone!

Congrats to them & to your whole family :)

Mary said...

WooHoo!! It is amazing that your family is so supportive of one another.

Missy said...

This was meant to be! Congrats! Thanks for sharing such a great story!

Madalyn said...

I too love this story! I'm happy for them both and I'm glad they have each other to lean on forever!

wendy said...

Well that is an amazing story indeed. Life has many amazing twists and turns...and sometimes the most unexpected becomes the most beautiful.
I wish them the very best. They deserve it.

Angie said...

That's awesome. I'm so excited for them. How was the wedding?

Jessica G. said...

WOW! That is definitely amazing! And they look like they belong together.

gurrbonzo said...

Whoa! That is crazy, and awesome.