I thank God for bringing him into my life over 24 years ago and I remember the day we met as if it were yesterday. We were both police explorers. Andre was with the Miramar Dept, and I was with the Broward County Sheriff's Office. We were both working the same detail at the Broward County Fair, but in different locations. I was working the Dunk a Cop booth to raise money for some charity (the name of which has been lost as the years have advanced). Andre was working in the main building keeping an eye on the children's artwork that was being judged so that no one would vandalize them.
I was dating someone at the time who was looking more for a mother figure than a girlfriend and I was never very good at dumping anyone. He was clingy to the point of suffocation and would not leave my side for an instant whenever we were together. One thing about me, I need my space. I need my personal bubble to be respected. I need to be able to hang out with my friends without being asked a ton of questions because you don't trust me. I knew for a long time, I wasn't meant to be with this person, but I just couldn't figure out a gentle way to let him know without him going off. Unfortunately, he wasn't always the most stable person.
I managed to get a break without him and made my way up to the main building. I headed upstairs and began looking through the artwork. As I walked around I saw two guys standing by the escalator. One was shorter than the other and he had a slight mustache and the other was much taller with very curly hair. I was drawn to him immediately. I said hello to both of them and we all got to talking. I found out they were cousins, and I found out the taller one's name, Andre.
The first thing I noticed was how good he looked in his uniform. Whoa!
What do you want? I'm a girl. I notice these things. Then I noticed his gorgeous blue eyes. He had blondish hair which wasn't really my style, I prefer guys with darker hair, but his smile and his laugh drew me in. I love hearing him laugh. It's true and unique and expresses such joy. You know instantly that Andre is truly happy when you hear him laugh.
The fair lasted for quite a few days and I always seemed to find my way to Andre. Sometimes I'd be at the fair on days I wasn't scheduled to work (although he didn't know that), just so I could see him and get the chance to talk with him. We talked a lot during those days, but there was one incident in particular that made me know that I really wanted to see more of him.
A ring was found in one of the bathrooms.
He could have simply kept the ring, I mean, who would have known? No one. But he didn't. He wanted to find the owner. The reason this struck me is because I had lost my senior class ring recently. My boyfriend at the time, kept badgering me for it. He said he wanted to wear it around his neck and after a while, I agreed. It went missing a day later and I was so upset about it. To this day, I've never had it replaced. Andre didn't know about this until later, but the fact that he wanted to find the owner meant something to me. It meant he was honest and thought of other people's feelings.
A few weeks later, I was at an event up in Boca and at the end of the event there was a toga party. Andre drove all the way up just to be with me at the party. That night, I knew it was time to brake up with my boyfriend. I know, it wasn't the best time or location, but the fact that Andre drove all the way up there to be with me, and me, not having any feelings for this other guy, it had to be done and the fact that it was done in a public place, made me feel a little better.
As much as we saw each other at different details, Andre and I never had our first real official date yet, let alone our first kiss.
Several months later, actually it was 24 years ago today, I called Andre on the phone to wish him a happy birthday. He wasn't home, so I left a message for him. He called me back and shortly after that, invited me out on a date. Our first, real date.
We had a great time. He took me to see Gallagher and we laughed hysterically. Afterwards he took me to dinner and we talked and talked. When he took me home, we had our very first kiss. I wish I could say it was one of those romantic, movie type kisses, but it really wasn't. It was awkward, and actually a little painful - we crashed teeth, ha ha. And you know that shock wave of electrical type pain that goes through your body when you hurt yourself, yeah, that's what I felt at first. After we stopped laughing from embarrassment and wincing from pain, we tried again, and THAT one was the romantic, movie type kiss.
I had officially fallen for this guy, and HARD.
We eloped three months later. A lot of people got hurt. A lot of people didn't understand. A lot of people had their own thoughts about why I had married Andre, but they were wrong. I loved Andre and he loved me. I knew this as well as I knew my own name.
Did my life turn out the way I had dreamed? No. Originally, I was planning on becoming a Sheriff's Deputy, but instead I became a wife and mother. Do I regret it. Absolutely not. God knew what he was doing when he put Andre in my path all those years ago.
I remember praying to Him and wishing on stars for a man to come into my life and take me away. I didn't think I would ever find such a man because of the things that had happened to me in the past. I didn't think anyone would truly love me when they found out about the pain I carry with me every day, pain that to this day, still sometimes causes panic attacks and nightmares. God knew he would love me even through all that and he was the perfect man to help me weather my personal demons.
No one in my life has been there for me the way Andre has. No one in my life has loved me more than Andre has. No one in my life means more to me than Andre does.
I love that man. I love his heart, I love his laugh, I love his crazy, curly, (now gray) hair, I love that he can be silly and serious, I love that he allows me space to hang out with friends, I love that he trusts me, I love that he has the giving heart of his mother and will give the shirt off his back if he thinks someone needs it, I love that he always tries to be a peacemaker, I love that he understands my moodiness, I love that he's a hard worker, I love that he's an amazing father who enjoys hanging out with his children, I love his unique dancing style, I love that when I am feeling sad or scared, he is ALWAYS there for me. I love that he's the first person I want to talk to when something good happens to me. I love that he's a good man. I especially love that God sent him to me.
In April, Andre and I will be married for 24 years and in that time, I've grown more and more in love with him. He is the best husband and father I could have ever wished for. He is in fact, my best friend.
I love you Andre. Happy birthday!!!
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