NEVER...EVER...GIVE UP HOPE : From Heartthrob to Heartbreak

I had been concentrating on my career since my last breakup and swore I was done with finding a long-lasting relationship. This was working out better than I anticipated and dating again was not on my mind. But when I came out of the photo booth after getting a new passport photo taken -- there he was - standing in broad daylight. I heard the birds chirp and the violins start to play. Is there such a thing as love at first sight? Could he be my long-awaited heartthrob?

We chatted a bit and I felt the feeling was mutual. He was getting his passport picture taken as well.

"If you don't mind waiting a few minutes, maybe we could grab a cup of coffee?" I was thrilled.

It was as if we had known each other for years. Ted was a lawyer at a large firm, a few blocks away. I wondered why I never saw him before, as my office was in the same area.

I was excited to find out he loved to cook and promised me the best French cuisine on the planet. He wasn't kidding. He was the greatest cook; something I hated to do. I was falling in love with him; he had me eating out of his hand. I never felt this way before. Our relationship was rapidly becoming serious and I had never been happier.

11:52 A.M.

On the sunniest day of my life, at 11:52 in the morning, we were having lunch at our favorite spot. He got down on one knee, in front of the busy lunch crowd, and asked me to marry him. I cried. I laughed. I may have even peed my pants. My life was about to begin. No one had ever made me feel so loved, so appreciated. Everyone in the cafe clapped and cheered.

We wanted to get married as soon as possible and set the date for April 28. That gave me two months to get everything organized. Piece of cake!

Was that really me in the mirror?

@BatteredHope Reflection of a wedding dress

As I looked in the fitting room mirror, I was stunned. The reflection I saw was something I never thought I would see in my lifetime. My wedding dress. MY wedding dress! It was a bit of a squeeze to get into it, but I still had a few weeks to lose the weight I had recently gained due to all the rich foods he kept preparing for us.

I had not met his family yet, but from the pictures I had seen and the endearing way he spoke of them, I knew I would love them. I was so pleased that Ted's parents and sister were arriving a few days before the wedding. This would give us some time to get to know one another.

Everything was going to be perfect. It had to be. It was the way I had always planned it since I was a little girl. The man of my dreams and the perfect wedding with everyone I loved attending.

It was April 27, the last night before the Big Day. I actually was able to get to sleep early as I didn't want bags under my eyes in the morning.

11:52 P. M.

At 11:52, just before midnight, the doorbell rang. I jolted out of bed thinking it would be more guests arriving. I opened the door and took a step backward to steady myself. The two policemen stood there - they didn't have to say anything.

Today's post was a writing challenge. Participating bloggers picked 4 - 6 words or phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used once. The twist is no one knows who sent them their words or how their own set of words will be used until today!

My words were broad daylight, eating out of your hand, heart throb, photo booth, squeeze and fitting room. They were submitted to me by The Three Gerbers