Shina is An Amazing Woman.

Lately I have had issues come up that would frustrate most people, but not Tashina Marie Hicks. It seems like every day this week there has been "just one more thing" to worry about and get annoyed with. At times I get really frustrated with how things just keep coming up, but I know that I can tell my bride-to-be and she will say something that will calm my nerves. All she has to say is "Babe, it's going to be alright" and I am immediately calm.

Throughout my life I have failed to recognize the Lord's influence on me through loved ones. Sad as it is, I have now come to realize that the Lord often shows his love for me through those around me. In my 25 years I have never recognized how much the Lord loves me. Much of the love the Lord has for me I feel through Tashina's expressions of her love for me.

In this realization comes one more: my parents have loved and cared for me all my life despite my faults and character flaws. Had I listened to, and confided, in them while I was going through my adolesant struggles, my appreciation for them would have grown 10 fold compared to how much appreciation I have for them now.

Tashina Marie Hicks has been a blessing and an eye opener for me. Through certain events in the past year or so I have become blinded to the true definition of "unconditional love" and guarded my emotions very closely. Very few individuals knew what had been bottled up and what had been safeguarded. Despite my efforts to avoid relationships, I ran into this wonderful daughter of God who has lifted me to where I am now. My awareness of the "dictionary definition" of unconditional love was never diminished, but never have I felt the true meaning of unconditional love as I do now.

Enough mushy stuff...I'm a man.

I took Shina on a ride on Jade(my motorcycle) last night. We went to her house, from mine, and on the way back Shina said "take the long way home". So instead of it taking 10-15 mins to get back to my house it too 30-40 mins. I am so glad she's letting/encouraging me to keep Jade. Not only is she letting me keep Jade, but she enjoys riding. It shows a lot of trust to get on the back of a motorcycle with me :)

Today, we went apartment hunting and we have found some nice places, but it's still a couple months before the wedding and we don't want to rush into anything. After apartment hunting we conversed over dinner (cereal) about various topics. It has been a very fulfilling relationship with Tashina Marie Hicks, and will continue to be when she becomes Tashina Marie Owen.