I've been keeping journals since I was in the 3rd grade and I'm so glad to share some of my most intimate life moments with you here!  Here, you'll find inspirational and encouraging stories of me and other broken people like me. We are all jars of clay who have been afflicted in every way, but not crushed...struck down by not destroyed.  Here, you do NOT have the right to remain silent, so as you read, grab your favorite snack and drink and leave a comment...share YOUR story. I can't wait to connect with you in this beautiful safe space. 

welcome to my

journal!

xoxoxoxoxo,
Sachel 

TeamHarris, Wedding

August 6, 2014

AND THEN JULY 12th CAME| ETHAN GEORGE| TEAM HARRIS | WEDDING WEDNESDAYS

When I was nine years old, I knew I was going to marry Sachel. I didn’t know when or how, but I knew one day I was going to ask her to marry me. 

And then July 12, 2014 came.

At about 1:45pm my nerves, sweats, and heart began racing so fast. I opened my eyes on that Saturday in my Charlotte hotel, preparing myself to ask the one question that will change our lives forever.

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But before I go any further, let me rewind a little bit.


About a year ago, I called Tammy and told her that I wanted to ask Sachel to marry me in Charlotte during their sorority’s national conference. As most women would react to hearing that kind of news, she began jumping and screaming with excitement. Almost immediately, we began planning and coordinating. Now, I know how nosy Sachel can be, so me asking certain questions directly were out of the question. Thank goodness for her best friend.

I had Tammy find out things from her such as her ring size, the kind of styles she liked, and her dream engagement scenario, knowing she wouldn’t be the wiser because as far as she’d be concerned, they’d just be having girl talk. We began looking for venues in Charlotte, and planning out the logistics. With her being a photographer, I knew she would want it documented, so there would have to be places where people with cameras can hide, but still get great shots. It took us a while to find the perfect place, but when we stumbled across Wing Haven Gardens, I knew it was perfect. It was picturesque and had all the elements I was looking for. Do you know how many times I would be on FaceTime with Sachel within the past year thinking in the back of my mind “If this girl only knew what me and her best friend have in store for her?!” Each time I thought about it, I got excited.

Six months prior to our trip, there I was in an Alaska…at the jewelry store speaking with a sales associate about purchasing an engagement ring. Now, I know most guys don’t openly talk about the preparation and planning that goes into the proposal and their excitement. But I don’t think it’s a bad thing for a man to express his intentions when it comes to the woman that he loves.

After retrieving all the information that Tammy received from Sachel, I finally had the ring that would send Sachel sky high.

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Ms CHarlotte-SachelSamone PhotographyWith the ring purchased, there was one more thing that I had to do: Ask for her hand in marriage. Call me old fashioned, but it was something I wanted to do. I nervously contacted her mother and sisters. Once I told them that I had something to ask them, they quickly were alert and prepared for the question. Their response was unanimous: “We saw this coming! Of course you have our blessing!!”

I was now ready for the big day.

To throw her off, I picked a fight with her the night before. I tried to keep it as realistic as I could without breaking character, but there were a few times I had to turn my back from her so she wouldn’t see me laughing. I’m telling you…I deserve an Oscar for that performance.

On that Saturday in Charlotte, I had to find a way to convince her to dress up without becoming suspicious. So I told her that I wanted to take her somewhere that was special to me while I was a college student in Charlotte. In the meantime, I was constantly in contact with Tammy to find out where she and Sachel’s family was. She told me that once she arrived at Wing Haven, that we would stop communicating and that she and the family will begin getting in place. I have to give a special shoutout to Tammy’s parents who were also in on the planning. They assisted in picking up Sachel’s family and taking them to the garden. They also kept watch, awaiting our arrival so that they could inform everybody else.

WingHaven-Sachel-Samone-PhotographyWe arrived around 4:30 (mind you, we only had about 30 minutes to view the entire garden since the place closed at 5pm), and begin to walk around. On cue, Sachel begins snapping away. We finally got to the main garden and from the corner of my eye I begin to see people in various bushes. I immediately begin to panic, because I’m starting to realize that I came in the wrong way and that Sachel is going to see her folks. I cut her vision off from them, but thankfully she was too busy being a shutterbug. She’s such a photographer. 

She found a bench in the midst of the garden and continued to snap away. She asked me to stand in front of her so that she can take some photos of me. “Stand right here, we’re making memories,” she said. In the background, I hear her 3- year-old twin nieces starting to get irritable while in the bushes. Right then and there, I think to myself, “Ethan, you have to do this now.” I looked at her and took a deep breath and began to say my piece: “In the spirit of making memories, I brought you to this garden to make a new one…”

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I said a little bit more, dropped to my knee, pulled out the box and said “Sachel, will you marry me?”  She was in total shock, and in true Sachel form, she began screaming “Oh my God, Oh my God.” Meanwhile y’all….I’m still down on the knee waiting for a response. I called everybody out from their hiding positions and then I hear her say “Yes!!” I placed the ring on her finger and the tears begin to fall.

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SONY DSCAfter we took pictures, we had a moment where Sachel’s mom prayed over us. The day was a huge success and I couldn’t have asked for a better location, a better venue and a better group of great friends to put this together. I am eternally grateful to Tammy and her lovely parents for assisting me with the planning. I love Sachel’s mom and sisters for always rooting for me and accepting me. I couldn’t have done this alone and I’m glad to have the woman I’ve been dreaming of since I was a young boy.

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This moment was definitely one I’ll never forget. As a man, deciding to get married is a big decision and it’s not one that should be made in a haste. We’ve had our ups and downs over the years, but I couldn’t imagine living my life without her. She has made me the happiest man in the world and I’m truly blessed to have her in my life.

So, now that the proposal is out of the way, the real work begins; planning the big day. I don’t care about having the biggest wedding or a fancy venue. All that matters is making that lifelong commitment with Sachel under God surrounded by our family and friends.  I look forward to this journey and the next chapter of our lives as Husband and Wife.

TeamHarris here we come!!!!

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Until Next Time….

E. George

  1. Felicia says:

    Love. Love. Love.

    Year long planning just for a few minutes that my sis will NEVER forget? This is why Ethan is AWESOME!!! Sachel, you got a great one. Super excited for #TeamHarris to be official!

    -Felicia

  2. Bridgette says:

    Love the whole story. It is so cool reading this from Ethan’s perspective. God bless you two and sis I am sooo happy for you and Ethan!!

    Hugs and kisses

  3. AMANDA says:

    AHHH STOP IT! I can’t take this. I’m crying! I love you guys!!!! 🙂 Ethan YOU THA MAN! 🙂

  4. Terry says:

    What can I say but: AMEN!!! God has spoken!!! And, it is so! !! Congratulations to my wonderful God given Son In Law, Prince Ethan & my 1st Born, Princess Sachel!!! Let the Royal Celebration begin!!!