Meet ARRIANA & PROVIDENCE
04.06.19
The day I will marry my best friend. The one i laugh with, live for, dream with, and love.
Arriana:
It was October 17, 2017 that Providence gained enough courage to ask me on a date. We first met up at The Crossing on the 14th for a Saturday night service, but I wouldn't really consider that a date. I remember I was just laying in bed after posting something that was really weighing on my heart heavily and he swooped in and wanted to take my mind off of it. One of the first things that caught my attention was how chivalrous he was and continues to be. He walked to the front door, opened his car door for me, and every other door we came into contact with that night. I couldn't help but think that this man was something special. He took me to one of his favorite places, Cafe Piazza, in downtown St. Louis. It was 8 pm on a Tuesday and we were the only ones sitting at the bar. The night was perfect, he ordered an appetizer and we both enjoyed a beverage. I think we were there for a while, but it only felt like a couple minutes honestly. Our conversation blew me away, we talked about some serious things for it only being a first date. It wasn't just a superficial conversation, but something more heartfelt. The fact that we were both completely open with each other was an awakening surprise. There was never a time on this date that I felt like he truly wasn't present. After Cafe Piazza, we went back to where I was staying and watched Inception (I thought it was interstellar, so minus two points for me ;).. ). At the end of the night, Providence left and to this day I remember watching him walk away and thinking to myself "I have finally found the man I have always prayed for."
Providence:
Our first date was on a Tuesday evening, October 17 of 2017. I'll never forget how nervous I was to ask Arriana but I knew that after having just met her a few days prior that I had one shot to step up and out of my naturally reserved shell. I asked her that afternoon and went to pick her up later that evening. We went to Cafe Piazza, a neat spot in Benton Park owned by a dear friend. We talked. But it was more than that, our conversation was rather deep which caught me off guard, soothed my nerves, and made even more attracted to Arriana. I knew at that moment there was something special about her. Our evening concluded with lounging and watching a movie. Inception it was. Something I thought may have been lame at the time of me to let happen but I think feeling comfortable enough to relax like that was a really good sign!
Our First Date
The proposal
Arriana:
On Saturday December 29, 2018, I felt it. I knew something was supposed to happen soon, because let's face it, as adults you have to talk about big decisions like this. Anyway, the other people I know that have been engaged have always said I would know based on the way he would act. But as always Providence was calm... even more calm than he normally is. Anyway, we got out the door for our normal Saturday night church service and to my surprise I see my mom and three younger sisters walking toward our aisle only five minutes before service. There wasn't enough time for me to read into anything because I honestly thought the moment would only involve us two. Anyway, service lets out and we all make our way toward the door where they still had a picture perfect setup from Christmas. We get a family picture taken and then Providence asks for one with just us (I still didn't think anything of it because we have discussed how we need to get better at this whole picture thang). Well, it was that moment when he took both of my hands and spoke some of the most truthful things and to be honest I can't remember everything. Like I said, he wasn't nervous at all... he spoke for two minutes before he got down on one knee. But I do remember him speaking heavily about how much we have been through together the past year, which is so true and cannot be overlooked. We are not perfect, but together we are better. He not only promised to be respectful and kind to me, but my mom and sisters as well. After all of the tears and ugly crying Providence Tucker got down on one knee and asked me to spend forever with him. We were hugging and being hugged by some of the most important people to us. We then went to Cafe Piazza (where we had our first date) and got to celebrate with many dear people close to our hearts. It was a truly beautiful evening.
Providence:
On December 29, 2018 we attended our normal Saturday evening church service at The Crossing. To Arriana's surprise, her mom and three sisters met us there. We sat through the service all knowing (except for Arriana) what was to take place shortly afterwards. Upon leaving the service we stopped to use the restroom and then "take a few photos." Another family was standing near so we took a picture of them and they took a picture of us. I then asked if her mom would take a picture of just the two of us. That is when I took Arriana by both hands, declared to her not only how much I love her but also her family; then I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. Tears in her eyes she said yes and as we hugged we were surrounded by her mom and sisters. Immediately after we went to Cafe Piazza to meet with some of our family and friends to celebrate.
April 6, 2019
