I was like any other little girl, dreaming of the day a man would decide I was “the one.”  But unlike many girls, I was on a road less traveled. A road that led to hospital and doctor visits,  brace consultations and surgical appointments … A road that was hard on my body AND my heart.  I grew, but not much … a full 4 feet tall (I believe there’s an inch in there somewhere) and while Spina bifida was my “normal” .. it never truly felt normal.  Cute face, but poor form was my “norm.”  Boys being friends, but never boyfriends.  Men encouraging me there is “someone” out there, but never quite willing to be that “someone.”  A dad that prayed and a mom that believed someday would eventually come.  And after 30 years of crawling down this less-traveled road … it finally came.

I met Edward at his little home church in Fort Worth.  And like most romantic films, our eyes locked, his body moved toward mine … and the first sweet few words sparked between us, led to a 5 hour conversation.  It was unlike any human connection I had ever felt.  Sure, I was a girl with many, MANY, friends – including that of the opposite sex – and sure, I had crushes if you will – what girl hasn’t?  But nothing ever quite panned out … Until it did.

Writing about his life would take me a thousand years, for as special as some might say I am – he is all of that and SO. MUCH. MORE. The man is a true talent, the kind of talent that lands you a reputation, business, brand and … on TV.  It’s funny, actually Edward and I were both on TV the same year! 2008. Only, his episode was featured on a much more popular station … 😉

So, the cake guy crushed on the crutch girl … and that’s how our story began.  It developed into 2 years of struggle, back and forth from us both … dealing with family questions, and boundary lessons … it was a test of true love, that is for sure.

Turns out, our love WAS true. And it ended with the same guy on his knees before the same girl, at the same church, October 6, 2014 – where Edward Antoni Frys asked Holly Rachelle Strother to be his wife.  And all I can remember screaming was, “Eddy, is this really happening?”  … with tears in his eyes, he said quietly in return, “Yes baby, this is really happening.”

And the rest is history.  An incredible, inspiring, world-changing history that only God himself could write. For you see, I never wanted to marry a Cake Decorator. I actually pictured myself married to some small town preacher, where he and I would go on mission trips together, adopt a baby and live happily ever after.  Little did I know, God’s plans for me were much BIGGER than the ones I had for myself.  And as you continue to read through this incredible life I’ve been given, I am quite confident you will agree.

This tall, red-headed hunka hunka burnin’ love you see here, is my dream come true.  He is the answer to {{a thousand}} prayers.

When I was little, I would often ask God for a miracle.

“Jesus, please make my back straight.  Please make me strong so I don’t need these crutches.”

Now, as a woman I can see that He actually did answer my prayers, but He answered them in one man, not in myself.  Instead of making my back straight, he gave me a tall husband who would do all the reaching … and instead of making ME strong, he gave me strength in this cake-man who has carried me to the ends of the earth.

And doesn’t this make the story that much better?  I think it does.

So, my someday finally came … Against all odds, it did.  And the thing I have found to be more true than any other lesson I’ve learned in this life, LOVE is the miracle.  It’s the thing that binds us all together … It keeps us afloat, when everything else drags us under … It gives us strength for today, and hope for tomorrow … It saves our lives, and makes this life worth living.

My prayer every single day for #edandholly is that people would know this love miracle between us is not from us … it’s from Him.

#thankyouJesus