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There aren’t too many holidays that are as potentially romantic as the Fourth of July, y’all. Watching fireworks with your sweetie on a blanket in a field or out of the back of a pick-up or on a sandy Southern coastline – oh my! Take me there! I’m headed down to Florida this weekend with my hubs to be with the fam and soak up some pool time and BBQ… and fireworks of course. Growing up in the South, I remember so many brilliant sparkling nights with a sky full of bright colored explosions, sweet tea in hand. We all sit out by the pool and laugh as my mom gets a ridiculously big kick out of her once-a-year pyro fun! It all stems from a great old Southern tradition of lighting firecrackers on Christmas morning. What can I say? The woman loves her fireworks! Photo below by Paul Johnson.
This week, I want to know about the moment you first felt those heart explosions with The One… the moment you just knew that this was going to be forever. The kind of fireworks that take your breath away and sweep you off your feet. You know what I mean, friends! It’s a feeling inside our gut that says, “This is IT!” Maybe it was a first date when he opened all the doors for you and you locked eyes… fireworks! Maybe it was having him meet your mom for the first time and hearing their laughter together… fireworks! Maybe it was that time he cared for you when you were so sick you couldn’t get out of bed. He tried to make you a comforting grilled cheese – just like your mom used to do – and he maaaaay have burned it. But, somehow it was the greatest meal you’ve ever had… fireworks! Perhaps it was that time he knew just what to say just when you needed it most… FIREWORKS! Photo below by Caroline Ghetes.
For me, it was when Ari met my dad. They were two peas in a pod. I knew I found a keeper! Just five months after meeting, we were married. In Vegas, no less. And here we are over five years later with a little Biscuit in my oven, happy as two bees in a honeysuckle field! Whatever those fireworks were for you, fill us in, ladies! How did you know? Spill the beans! Photo below by Benj Haisch.
GIVEAWAY: Four (yes, 4!) lucky winners will get one of our favorite Fab Finds from our last issue: heart or love sparklers from Tops Malibu! Just leave a comment telling us about those heart explosions.
P.S. Congrats to last post’s winner, Amanda Noel. Oh wow, all of the comments on that post were so inspiring! I can’t wait for all of your weddings! Amanda, email us your mailing address and we’ll get your gorgeous Paloma’s Nest Ring Bearer Bowl right to you.
Wishing you all a lifetime of fireworks ahead and a fantastic weekend under these gorgeous Southern skies!
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Bethany Ann Stuart, June 30, 2011 1:02 pm reply Love this post! My 'heart explosions' happened on the very first day I met my now-husband. He was a teacher's assistant in my first college course. Don't worry - he was a student too! Just an assistant for a scholarship. Well, he walked in the room that very first day and literally took my breath away! It was the weirdest feeling EVER. However, we didn't start dating until that next semester - after the course ended. I never forgot that feeling and we married last fall. :) Thanks for letting me relive that moment!!! Happy 4th of July, y'all!!
Lara, June 30, 2011 1:19 pm reply I love this! When you know, you just know!
Tiffany Whitsitt, June 30, 2011 1:05 pm reply Oh my gosh!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE those sparklers! Too cute!
Kelly, June 30, 2011 1:16 pm reply I knew he was the one on our first date.....we doubled with a good friend of mine and her boyfriend. We went to a fun local bar and and were hanging out, next thing I knew the bartender tapped me on the shoulder and said "We are closing up if y'all don't want to spend the night, it is time to leave" What? Where did those 3 hours go....everyone had left the bar (including my friend) and there we were completely unaware of everything around us. As he was walking me to my car and gave my hand a squeeze, something inside me knew we would always be together. We were married 10 months later and have been madly in love for over 18 years....after all these years, he can look at me across a room and I still get butterflies in my stomach. I thank God for him every day!
Lara, June 30, 2011 1:20 pm reply I so know the feeling! Ari and I had the same thing happen on one of our first dates. Time flies when you are feeling those fireworks! Love it, Kelly.
Heather Gardner, June 30, 2011 1:20 pm reply Great post Lara.... Looking back, it's hard to believe that the hubs and I have been married for 4 years. We met on a blind date courtesy of e-Harmony (yep!). Sitting next to him, hearing how he spoke, how his eyes lit up like a little kid on Christmas when he talked about his grandfather, and the *gut feeling* I had for him - at that moment, I knew I was going to marry him. I had never had that feeling before with any other...and 6 months later we were engaged!
Lara, June 30, 2011 2:13 pm reply Heather, I love your story! I hear so many great e-Harmony matches. So wonderful!
Linden, June 30, 2011 1:25 pm reply It's funny because the moment HE first knew was actually last year at the 4th of july... we were on my family's boat watching fireworks and it was perfect... he even wrote me a poem about it (cheesy, i know!). the moment i first knew was way less romantic but just as special. he wrote me this letter that proved to me how empathetic he is and how he realized (very early on... I think we'd known each other 6 weeks at this point!) how much his words and actions affected me. he proved to me that he'd always be careful with my feelings.
Lara, June 30, 2011 2:16 pm reply Linden, I love this. I'm excited for you two to relive the fireworks this weekend!
allison, June 30, 2011 1:26 pm reply When my now-fiance met my family!
madelynne miller, June 30, 2011 2:01 pm reply The first time I ever felt fireworks for my fiance Corey was about a week after I met him. I asked to share head phones with him in the computer lab so I could listen to his music. He was playing "Italian Leather Sofa" by CAKE and I was quietly singing it to myself. He looked at me and said "You know CAKE and you know this SONG?!" And I said "Yes, of course, I grew up listening to CAKE." And that was it. Indie music obsessed man and I fell in love.
Jennifer, June 30, 2011 2:12 pm reply My fiance and I are getting married in exactly one month today! To celebrate we're headed to our town's beach to watch the Canada Day Fireworks over the lake! My hearts been doubling over itself all day I'm so excited! I knew my fiance was the one when he had my name tattooed across his chest... JUST KIDDING, Y'ALL! Really though... I tore my tutu during the dress rehearsal the night before the opening performance of a production of Swan Lake I was in, and my fiance stayed up past midnight to help me fix my tutu. I didn't even know he could sew, but I'll never forget the way he smiled at me and said " I can't stand it when something makes you sad... and I'm just happy that this is something I CAN fix for you. Pass me the kit and stand still!" I'll love this man forever.
Lara, June 30, 2011 2:15 pm reply HAHA!!! Thanks for the good laugh, Jennifer! Your story wins bonus points. He fixed your tutu!? Amazing! Love it! And congrats on your upcoming wedding - YAY!!!!
Amanda Zerra, June 30, 2011 2:43 pm reply Loving this post, just thinking back to all of the 'fireworks' we've shared over the years gives me butterflies! The first time I felt the sparks between my now husband and I was back in High School (8 years ago.. wow) we went to the beach on one of our first dates to check out the stars. Me, being the bad influence I was decided we should go past the locked gate and sit on the sand near the water. After about 20 minutes of kissing under the stars a policeman came shining his mag lite on us and yelled at us to leave. I kept my cool knowing we hadn't done anything wrong and we'd simply be on our way. My now husband however, being the goody two shoes he was freaked out, ran to the cop to apologize. Needless to say this startled the police officer. All was fine, I just remember thinking back then how opposite we were and how much his cute innocence made me laugh, and still does! On the drive home we laughed over our evening and I told him I loved him. Neither of us has changed! :) Happy 4th everybody! God Bless America!
Mandy, June 30, 2011 3:04 pm reply The first time I knew was way back when I was in high school after prom when he and a few others spent the night at my house. We weren't dating at the time (my choice), but we managed to find some time away from the others spending the night and go sit out on my front porch swing. It was really late at night and slightly chilly outside. I'm stubborn as all get out, but I didn't want to go in and I was cold. Since he didn't have a jacket to offer me, he pulled me close and put his arm around me. We didn't say much... just sat in the dark, looking up at the stars, but that's when I knew. I didn't know much about how it was going to work out, but I knew that if I were to marry it would be to him and that he would be the perfect one for me. It's been 7 years since that night and now we are engaged. So much for not dating him!
Lori, June 30, 2011 3:13 pm reply We've had many sparks and fireworks over the last year and a half, but I'd say the most memorable was on our 2nd date. Bobby had just finished law school at University of Tennessee and on a beautiful summer night, he took me around campus and downtown Knoxville. As we were walking past Market Square and through a small park and gardens, he led me to the old courthouse and explained to me its history and significance. We held eachother's gaze for what seemed like forever and he leaned down and gave me the most powerful and electric kiss of my life! I have never been one for PDA, but I just couldn't pull away! We still talk about that kiss and how that's when we knew we had something very special.
Lori, June 30, 2011 3:17 pm reply Lori: I forgot to mention that while we were kissing, a car full of college guys drove past and hooped and hollered at us. Haha. Memories.
linda d, June 30, 2011 4:29 pm reply It's so crazy to look back and realize that fireworks happened the moment that we met. We met at a bar in the most lucky of coincidences in terms of time and place. He had just started living in the area and his sister had invited him out to happy hour. One of his sister's friends had also invited me out. I walked in and sat next to him and so started our story. If for some reason either of us had not gone that night, it was pretty likely that we would have never met and our lives would never have changed. It was the weirdest feeling that we connected so well so quickly. Everyone else there tells me it was so obvious that we were in our own world at that point. Of course we've had other fireworks since then, including the surprise proposal! But I will never forget that feeling of the first time. :)
Taylor, June 30, 2011 4:59 pm reply After my boyfriend and I had spent 2 moths apart doing mission work during our first year of dating, seeing him walk up the stairs in the airport made my heart EXPLODE! I was in the Dominican Republic, and he was in Jordan. The Lord's will was our focus and we knew we'd make it through. After serving for so long, our hearts rejoiced together.
AshleyHH, June 30, 2011 6:46 pm reply Being a Florida girl, born and raised.... the 4th of July is my favorite holiday (other than Christmas of course!) Fireworks are my absolute favorite and I am so excited to spend this 4th with my sweetie and his family down in the Keys... although I am gonna miss my family out at the lake! When my honey and I first started hanging out, I was very unsure of the whole thing, I knew I liked him, he was just so different than I had remembered him from high school 5 (now 6) years ago. Our first few dates were spent on the beach, swimming at sunset, wishing on stars, sharing life ambitions, and maybe even stealing a kiss or two. ;-) I had surgery on my foot 3 days after we started hanging out (we hung out every night) and he came to see me and take care of me right away. Met my parents right away and got along with them right away. But something inside me was still unsure. And then, when I told him of my insecurities, I felt those fireworks when he gave me his response. He told me, " If I am not the last guy you date, I hope that I at least set the bar very high for anyone else who might come into your life." And I melted and realized I didn't want anyone else to come into my life. We have made it through almost a year of long distance, and now I get to move back to be closer to him tomorrow!!!! Yay!
Maddison Lee, July 2, 2011 1:53 pm reply AshleyHH: If she doesn't win, then she better have set the standard! Haha! Love that! Happy moving! No, I don't know this girl.
Erin B., June 30, 2011 7:53 pm reply My guy does "explosion stuff" all the time.....over the last year for a period of a least 6 months there he was bringing me fresh flowers at least once a week (and I am such a sucker for flowers!!). He loves me so much I can just look into his eyes and see it and THAT is what gives me the explosions!! Although, the flowers are nice too:) And I am ready for my firework exit at the wedding!!! These would be great!!
Rachael J, June 30, 2011 8:01 pm reply I knew he was "the one" after dating for in high school for two years, I moved two hours south for college. He drove over 500 miles in one weekend because I was all alone my new apartment! It was something he did not have to do by any means but it meant the world to me. Three years later, we are getting married :)
Amanda Noel, June 30, 2011 11:10 pm reply I am so excited about the Ring Bearer Bowl! Thank you!
Autumn Goehring, July 1, 2011 12:41 am reply Right from the beggining he was different. At first I didnt know that was a good thing. I was at a point in my life when for the first time, I wanted nothing to do with any "boyfriend". I met Todd on his birthday. He was coming on WAY too strong. From that night on he did not give up. I pushed him away, and he pushed right back. He knew something I did not. I am so grateful that he did not give up on me, that he sucked up the humiliation of repeated rejection. One night I was alone and he crossed my mind, over and over, the pressure built until I finally let all my pride and emotion go. In one brilliant exlosion of love I realized he was the one. He didnt give up on me. We were together that night and have been ever since. I love my man for who he is and the lesson he taught me.
Brittany Mayer, July 1, 2011 12:55 am reply The first time I experienced fireworks with my fiance Adam, was a little unconventional as I was with another beau at the time, but you just can't stop love I guess! There was a large group of us all on a camping trip at a lake in North Carolina. I had only met Adam a few times and didn't know him all too well, but as I got to know him that day I realized what a great person he was. Well that night we all went down onto the beach at our camp site. There was the most amazing meteor shower I have ever seen! Thousands of shooting stars fell across the sky as I stood next to Adam. Of course being the romantic I am I made a wish to find that one person I was meant for, as I have always wished since I was a little girl. And all of a sudden watching those falling stars I just knew it was him. Talk about fireworks! Love is blind and unexpected that way I guess! I will always thank my lucky stars I found him
Amanda R, July 1, 2011 4:54 pm reply The moment I knew my man was the one for me was while we weren't even together or dating! We dated in college, but went separate ways to pursue careers and further education. Long story short, I got a phone call one Memorial Day weekend that he had broken his neck and could possibly be paralyzed. Upon hearing that news and thinking that I could have lost him forever, the heartbreak and feelings that immediately sprung inside of me were so strong that I knew I had more love for him than I ever realized was possible. We gave love a second chance and we are getting married next June!
Angela Alpaugh, July 2, 2011 7:57 am reply The moment I knew was when we saw each other for the first time across a room. It was a true Tony and Maria moment from "West Side Story" when they see each other across the room and everyone else in the room fades away. My New Yorker husband was working at a hospital in my home state of Oklahoma and visited my home church. We were married last month at that same church, Northside Southern Baptist Church. In keeping with true Southern tradition, it is where my parents were married in 1972 and my maternal grandparents began their married life together in 1948. To top it all off, he proposed last 4th of July and we are returning this 4th to the place he proposed: his family's beach house on Long Beach Island, NJ.
Natalie, July 3, 2011 8:47 pm reply My "Heart Explosions" are all the time my fiance goes above and beyond the call of duty just because he loves me so, so much. One of many examples is this past week. I was gone on a mission trip with the church I work for and he was a hero, getting things done for the wedding, trying to help arrange for my mom to visit me so I can finally pick out a wedding dress, and to top it all of cooking dinner for me on the evening I got back. He does so much to make my life easier and better. I love him so much and appreciate all the love he showers me with each and every day!
cleesmile, July 5, 2011 9:29 pm reply the heart sparklers would make a beautiful lit-up addition to a bright wedding that we're trying to have!
Kristyn M, July 7, 2011 4:35 pm reply Part of me knew as soon as I met him that he was the one. But that was about 10 months before this moment. Jeff and I met at the dog park but started dating via facebook. I was working for the summer at a law firm in Florida and he was back in North Carolina when we started dating. I was driving the 2.5 hours to Seaside Beach, FL to spend a weekend with a dear friend and her family (now my maid of honor and her daughter is my flower girl.) I talked to Jeff the entire way there but didn't want to be rude so we hung up once I arrived. I was sitting on the porch of this beautiful beachfront house telling my friend all about Jeff. During this time he sent me a text message saying something about what he was doing that day. Immediately following I got a picture message from him with a picture of fireworks and text that said "and this is how you make me feel :)" I immediately showed my friend and we both got tears in our eyes. I knew he was the one for me at that moment. It wasn't until a few weeks later that we shared our first hug, first kiss and first date. Its proof that you can know before anything physical takes place. It was an emotional connection that I don't share with anyone but him.
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