old endings & new beginnings

In the past two years of my life... I have laughed and cried, smiled and frowned, gained and lost, been taught and have learned, trusted and been let down, loved and disliked, stood up and backed down, been hurt and helped, and agreed only to be denied. But these things, good and bad, have helped mold my character and personality. I would not trade any of these moments.

It all began with my journey off to college! I moved to Mississippi where I lived with my best friend in a small one bedroom apartment. Our childhood dreams came true! We finally lived together and went to school together. First semester was amazing! Every second of every day consisted of "aims & skys". We had crazy car rides where we would laugh, dance, and make up moves to Carrie Underwood's song "Before He Cheats!" Then in class we would do anything but pay attention! Notes, laughs, and jokes is what college classes were all about. Which left no time for serious classes like Anatomy and Physiology! We did survive the first test.. but our nerves didn't! After the test, we "sprinted" to the restroom together && it was there we decided A&P must be dropped! We withdrew the next day! With all seriousness behind us.. we had a memorable semester! We spent three times a week at La Fiesta Brava eating cheese dip and meat & cheese only tacos with a sweet tea! We even had our own waiter! Our nights were spent waitressing together at Lakeview Catfish Restaurant. After a couple of months, we inherited our own section called "skamy!" Even at work we were inseperable! It was through our living together that I learned to cook! Our first attempt at cooking was tacos! How hard could it be right? We burnt the meat & shells, didn't drain the meat or find it necessary to mix water in with the taco seasoning, and ate those taco's like they were from La Fiesta! : ) Since then, we have come a long way! Guess we had to start somewhere.. I miss those wonderful days & nights with my little cousin.. But times changed..

Second semester, our career plans forced us to take fewer classes together. Relationships, stubborness, and our "Adam's temper's" also separated us. But through our heart to heart talks and fights Amy taught me something that before I couldn't accept as truth.. She taught me the meaning of a relationship. I learned that relationships could end and that they aren't all supposed to last forever. And if one fails, that opens the door for another one to be a success! It was this semester that I became a single woman! : ) Life changed.. That semester Aims & I made our dreams come true! We were there for each other through it all.. and still to this day I can't believe we convinced each other to do everything we did! But it was completely worth all the pain and money! Guess you just need someone else to believe that all your dreams can come true && what everyone else says just fades away! It was this semester that I found the man who forever has my heart : ) We met at Calvary Temple Assembly of God (our church) when I was 16 and him 17. And from that day I've adored him! But my school, his work, and our relationships always seemed to stop us from getting closer than friends. Until one day, I discovered that he was finally in Mobile, adjusting claims and living! This sparked my interest! On Wednesday, April 11th, I called him and that Friday the 13th we had our first date! Since that day we have been inseperable and have shared many wonderful memories.

Summertime! A time of change! There was not one aspect of my life that stayed the same that summer. With not taking summer classes, I continued to work at "The View" at nights & during the days I worked in Mobile at Springhill Hospital. I loved my jobs.. and even more loved the money : ) Working at the hospital became my favorite job.. I got to spend lunch times with my Austin! However, on July 10th things changed! His job required him to move to Ohio and adjust claims. My heart broke.. I missed him. But he left me in good hands.. Big Al : ) This was proposal 1 : ) On July 11th (the day he left), in his apartment with tears in both of our eyes he got down on one knee! I said "yes"! Austin, being the committed Alabama fan that he is, gave me his Big Al and trusted him to protect me while he was gone! Although we were apart, our love grew stronger. I believed that we could make it through anything. Twice, I flew to Ohio and once I drove! We shared so many amazing memories together in Ohio... a Nautical Queen dinner cruise, Cleveland Indians vs. NY Yankees, The Lion King: Broadway Play, horseback riding, The Cheesecake Factory, Blue Henn Falls, icecream, professional massages, Austin's Steakhouse, Sky's Bank, etc.. so much fun! Durng the first trip, my life changed. Everyday I was sick and in severe pain.. but I tried to hide it because I was there with Austin. I didn't want anything to ruin our short time together. And I didn't let it! My weakness and severe back pain stopped us from doing nothing! We went horseback riding and walked up the ramps of the Cleveland Indian Stadium! Every gallop and step I took it felt as if a knife were stabbing me in the back.. but still I tried to disguise the pain. On my way back home, sitting alone in Atlanta airport my terminal changed 4 times and my 2 hour layover turned into 4 hours. As tears rolled down my face, they finally decided to board my plane. I walked 1/2 mile across the asphalt in the rain to my plane and climbed up the steep steps.. only to find I had a window seat! I HATE WINDOW SEATS! I cried even harder.. the poor gentleman sitting beside me must've thought I had psychological issues! He tried to talk, but i ignored... Finally! I made it to Pensacola where my momma picked me up. We were both overjoyed to see each other! She had security called on her! She was trying to find out where I was because my plane was over two hours late and maybe she lost her "Adam's Temper" a little bit when the man told her my plane was on hold! She flipped! Needless to say, I arrived and she rushed me to the hospital in Mobile. It was there I spent five miserable days in the hospital with a kidney infection, 5 kidney stones, and where I learned that I have a polycystic kidney disease. Meaning that both of my kidneys are covered in multiple cysts. And the pain was from the cysts being infected and probably the FIVE kidney stones too. After being released from the hospital, it was time for semester three to begin!

Semester three! College was getting harder and having 19 hours didn't help it any! I continued to work at Lakeview, but quit the summer job at the hospital. I made two more trips to Ohio to see Austin.. and the last of September he came home to stay : ) September 28th! A day I will never forget! Austin had everything planned out perfectly! It was a relaxing day with pampering : ) First, we got a one hour massage, then both enjoyed pedicures! I also got a manicure! After this, we went on our romantic date. My first surprise was Ruth Chris Steakhouse! We sat in this romantic private booth, where we had amazing service, and unbelievably good food! All along, I thought this perfect day was for my birthday.. because it was only two days away (October 1st). I even got a birthday dessert : ) Afterwards, we walked out the double doors of Ruth Chris.. only to find a fairytale! Austin had arranged for a horse and carriage to pick us up from Ruth Chris! It was sitting right outside the door! I was amazed.. NEVER had i seen one of those in Mobile! Still, I didn't catch on that it was for US! I thought we were walking around it to get in Austin's truck, but he lead me up into the carriage! Shocked! I felt like a princess.. riding through downtown Mobile on a horse & carriage! : ) After about an hour of riding, the coach informed us that the horse needed to take a break and that we could walk around or do whatever we pleased during that time. That was all part of the plan! On purpose, the horse stopped at Cathedral Square. We got off the carriage and Austin lead me to the fountains.. proposal 2 : ) In front of the fountains, he hugged me.. then kissed me.. and while my eyes were closed I saw something shining! I opened my eyes and there he was down on one knee holding the most beautiful ring : ) He said "Skyla Renee Swinney, Will You Marry Me?" I said, "I Will." And we are! : ) That night was amazing! We walked around the park a couple of times then went back to the horse & carriage. There the coach toasted us to many more nights like that one! Then we were on our way back to Ruth Chris. Oh yeah! And we went through McDonald's drive-thru on the horse & carriage to get an icecream! : ) Such a special night! I couldn't have asked for a more romantic proposal.


The Proposal : )

And in case you're wondering, he didn't combine the proposal and my birthday! On Monday, he took me out to dinner & gave me presents! I got chocolate covered strawberries, a camera, tickets to Sugarland Concert, and two CD's! The proposal, my birthday, and the concert made third semester the best one yet! However, the school-work load was tough. I believed that I could handle it though.. It was this semester that Austin asked me to quit working and let him provide for me. This was a tough decision. I am an independent person and it's hard to let someone else take care of me. I knew that this was something Austin wanted more than anything to do. Letting him be my caretaker was tough, but I am so appreciative to have a man that wants to take care of me. I love him! This semester I was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa at MGCCC. The ceremony was interesting to say the least.. we stood on a stage holding burning candles while the hot wax dripped into our hands! : ) haha. Finally, the semester ended and it was Christmas time!

The holidays were wonderful.. probably my best yet! I enjoyed spending them with the one I love. We visited both of our families & enjoyed all of the delicious food & the presents were good too! As far as the wedding, we accomplished so much over the Christmas break. We got everything booked and planned. I can't wait until that day.. it makes me smile everytime i think of walking down the isle. Not only is it something i've dreamed of forever.. but it's a dream come true. I never thought i'd find the man that would complete me.. and so soon! His devotion to the Lord, his willingness to work hard, the way he cares for people, his giving spirit, the talents he is blessed with, his smartness, and his handsomeness is what captured my heart and continues to everyday.

My last semester at MGCCC! It's went by so fast! I can't believe it's finally here.. I've got 18 hours this semester. I dreaded this semester, but it's actually turned out to be my easiest semester so far! This semester, the Lord made a way for me. If not for me overhearing a conversation about one of my classes.. i would not have been able to graduate this semester. I am following a guide to transfer to South Alabama. Well, on the guide there was a missprint that i didnt know about. I was taking a class i thought i needed, but didnt. I went to my advisor and she dropped me from the class, but informed me that id be short on hours and that i needed a computer class to graduate. Immediately I began to cry.. I had worked so hard and took over the required hours in order to graduate before i get married. But the Lord worked everything out! There was one seat left in a computer class for the 2nd nine weeks! I thank Him for saving that seat for me. I start the class in a couple of weeks.. I am not looking forward to the 5 hours every tuesday night!

The Lord has been so near to me lately. I wonder why He gives me the Unconditional Love that i am so underserving of. I've learned the greatest lesson of my life this semester. God will take matters into His own hands if we aren't bold enough to do what is right in His sight. And when He did, I wasn't sure on how to act.. My flesh wanted to be mad and to give up. But my Spirit rose up and saw the Unconditional Love that He has for me. If He didn't love me, He wouldn't chasten me as a Father should. I felt embarassed, that the Lord had to correct me. I knew that this was something I could and should have taken into my own hands and fix myself. Still, I thank Him. This has been a humbling experience. I know that now there is nothing that is hindering my relationship with the Lord. There is a deeper passion and hunger for the Lord that has developed within me. I don't regret the Lord's rebuke, only that I should've been capable enough to fix the problem.

Austin and I have only a few more months until we get married. Part of me feels so ready and another part sees that there is still so much to accomplish before that day. Time has flown by..