engagement story contest entry #7!!

One last entry in the engagement contest--I know I'm posting late, but I've been setting up my booth for Crafty Wonderland! This story comes from Alyce, who recently had me make the custom cake topper for her wedding, soooooo, that's what I've used to illustrate her entry. Check out the amazing picture of her moments after being proposed to! Wow. If she wins, we'll have to figure out some kind of arrangement, but for now, please sit back and hear the tale of her and her beau-to-be Aaron. At the end, I'll have information about voting, so don't miss it!

Our engagement story is 16 years in the making and spans across two once-shattered hearts; three different states; one diabetic kitten found on the side of a Michigan road, transplanted across the country with Aaron, and ultimately reunited with her original rescuer, me, in Colorado; an adopted dog who was afraid of men until he met Aaron; our two moms who should have been twins, or at least best friends, but didn't meet until we got together; at least 72 miraculously incredible friends and family members; several dozen tears (some from joy); countless snort-laughs; Three poetry books; a few stand-up comedy routines; a collection of approximately 510 ducks; and a perfect match that couldn't be ignored.
I'm an intensely colorful character. Always have been. Just ask my friends from long long ago with whom I've reconnected on Facebook. I laugh loudly and often, and when I really get going I break into peals of snorts. I'm a class clown who holds a running record of people-I've-made-wet-their-pants-because-they've-laughed-so-hard. I'm up to 35, in case you're wondering. I'm a bit of a rebel who questions authority and challenges the status quo. I dress funny. My crowning fashion achievement occurred when I discovered Wonder Woman underroos in my size and proceeded to wear them on the outside of my clothes whenever possible. In short, my personality is obnoxiously ostentatious. I've been reminded of that many times by people who have been uncomfortable in my presence. Over the years, though, a lesson has emerged: I am just like I am, quirks and all, for a reason. Initially, the lesson took root in my work as an unorthodox Child and Family Therapist. The change was slow and scary and I have a visual that correlates perfectly: as I embraced others' overwhelming need for me to collect ducks because I have been blessed with the last name of Duckworth, my true personality came out more and more. I let go of my former need to be an “appropriate” “adult” “professional,” and as that happened, I seemed to improve my ability to connect with hundreds of phenomenal young people. My office is now overrun with an insane number of ducks, and I have become the principal of a wonderful school for kids with severe behavioral issues (just like me!).
It didn't stop there. I found a church that accepted my snorts during the liturgy, a group of unbelievable friends who accepted my personality unconditionally, and Aaron. After being friends for 15 years and dating for 1, he proposed during a “girls' night out” with my awesome friends. Sometimes I still can't believe how blessed I am. Aaron is the star in my Converse high-tops. He is the snort in my laughter, the play in my childishness, the “Wonder” in my “Woman.” He's the rhyme in my slam poetry, the passion in my rebellion, and the dance in my music. At the risk of outdoing the entire state of Iowa with my corniness, Aaron is the color in my Mallard!



Awww....so sweet.
Okay kids--it's time to vote! Here's how we'll do it--look back on the Bunny with a Toolbelt blog to read all seven entries which have been posted in the past month or so. Your vote is your comment beneath the post you want to win a custom wedding cake topper set from me! You have until 11:11 pm Pacific Standard Time on Monday, May 3rd to comment, and I'll announce the winner sometime in the middle of next week. Good luck everyone!