A Love that Knows no Bounds

“I vow, to never lose sight of March 2015.”

My husband and I wrote our own vows at our wedding, and this line from his vows specifically has always been something we continue to strive for. You’ll get a chance to read our vows later! 🙏🏻 It’s not always easy, especially when you’ve got toddlers demanding every ounce of your energy, multiple businesses, military, and interesting family dynamics. I’m excited to share with you a little more about how “The Raines” 🥰 really got started.

March of 2015 was a flash. It was only a few months after meeting each other that God truly aligned us. I had moved to Atlanta a year prior, and truthfully my life was an absolute mess. I’m pretty sure I held close to 6 different jobs in the hospitality industry, and my direction was as good as trying to drive through midtown ATL during rush hour...always re-routing! A friend I had met while working at Stoney River steak house (probably the most reputable place I had worked at the time) told me I was so good at upselling steak toppings, that  I could totally sell houses. 😂🤷🏻‍♀‍ Dead serious! If you’ve ever known me personally, you’d know when I get an idea in my head, OFF I GO!

So there I was, working early morning events at Stoney bologna (sounds better when you say it-we always called it this) 😆. Then heading straight to Real Estate night school, where I was struggling my way through. School had never come easy for me...not that I believe it’s easy for anyone, but my passion wasn’t behind it when I had tried before, so I failed a lot. I’m BEYOND grateful that God put my friends Kam and Andre into my life. They were older than me, but more importantly they had a drive and vision of the future that really encouraged me. Not to mention I had finally had some new friends in Atlanta. Real Estate school is surprisingly hard, there are so many legalities that you have to memorize.

🙌🏼🎉 Much to my surprise, I passed and became a licensed Realtor!

The next 6 months was simply a domino effect. Looking back, everything was so strategically placed, the only explanation is God had a plan. After being accepted to a prestigious team in Alpharetta, GA, life continued to be a challenge in all the best ways. Insert what I didn’t know was going to be my future mother in law.. Paige.💗Don’t get me wrong we have had differences the last 6 years, but I love her SO much and she saved me. Not only did Paige help me through some of my toughest real estate transactions, but also helped me through some pivotal life events that could’ve headed me down some terrible paths. I’m forever grateful!  🙌🏼 She had introduced Casey and I once before, when he came in to tell her he had passed his exam to get in to the US Coast Guard. It was brief, but to this day we both remember our exactly whereabouts and what we were both wearing.

March 2015 came and honestly none of us saw it coming. Casey and I reconnected online...thankfully Paige had given me some heads up that he found me! *Fixes hair and applies lip gloss* 🤪

Over the next 3 months, we fell head over heels in love with each other. If you’re reading this and you’ve found the one, go give them a hug and remind them how much you love them. Life is chaotic and we forget to stop and appreciate sometimes. If you’re reading this and feel like you’ll never find true love, lean in....

God has a mighty plan for you and your life, he is NOT done with you. The one for you is out there becoming who they need to be to give you the love, that you SO deserve. When it’s meant to be you’ll never have to force it!

Although the way things panned out with Casey and I are not exactly how we had “planned”. We were letting the big man upstairs call the shots. Road trips, deep conversations, and truly sharing the good-the bad-and the ugly led us to a strong foundation we still prop our marriage on today! Casey had already had a date to attend boot camp in Cape May, New Jersey when we got together. I knew the day was coming (June of 2015,) but I’ll be totally honest-those 3 months felt like my whole life! It was full of love and laughter. We had built so much trust and respect for each other, I’d be torn apart to have him go for 2 whole months.

About 2 weeks after Casey had left I found myself SO incredibly sick. 

No energy, constantly feeling nauseous, and head aches that were unbearable. Ashamed and embarrassed, being a 23 year old unmarried girl walking into CVS, I bought the cheapest tests I could find. A pregnancy tests that would reveal that...Yes indeed, I was pregnant with our sweet Riley Raines.

Unconventional, and I used to say unplanned, but God knew what he was doing. Casey and I often say we saved each other from going into our young 20’s with the mentality that would wreck us. Fast and furious. Then Riley was sent to us, and truthfully she’s the reason for so many amazing decisions and so much JOY. She gave us purpose and direction. We grew up, fast! 

Casey was gone another 6 weeks after I found out. In my heart, I knew he was the one who needed to hear the news first! Other than my mama who I needed for moral support, our secret was sealed. He was able to make phone calls once a week after being there for 5 weeks. The conversations were heartfelt and short, and he was exhausted. Deep down, I knew I couldn’t tell him until he was home-which truthfully was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

After boot camp, we locked arms and faced this new chapter of life head on. Casey was assigned to Pensacola, Florida. Being unmarried meant “I didn’t come with the sea bag.” A common expression heard in the Coast Guard meaning, marriage is the only recognized relationship! We didn’t rush things. We had LONG conversations about what our future looks like. We knew it’d be together, but we wanted to make choices about marriage very intentionally. Functioning in a new “mama to be” attitude I found an amazing position at a Real Estate firm, and followed my heart to Pensacola! 

December 2015 brought all the holiday cheer and a gorgeous vintage inspired diamond ring. Casey took me to the happiest place on earth (well it is if you go without kids 😆 just kidding I promise!) You know Disney holds a special place in my heart, and we headed to Orlando for the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party! 🎄😍 Much to my surprise, right smack dab on Main Street in Magical Kingdom, I found Casey getting down on one knee asking me to spend the rest of my life loving him. Easiest YES I’ve ever had to make. 🙌🏼

Our story doesn’t end there...obviously! But for now I will leave you with this. Wait for the one. He or she is out there, and it may not be your time yet, but sharing life with your true soul mate is something that simply cannot be duplicated. You won’t question it, it’ll feel right in your heart. Most importantly, against ALL odds you’ll find a way to make it through. It’ll never be easy, but it will be worth the joy and love you will share. Your fairy tale may not look like the story book, mine sure didn’t, but our story is my favorite.  Looking back on it I realize what I had no plans for the plans that God had already articulated for me. 🙏🏻💗

To be continued....