Forever Begins

There we were, on vacation in Duluth, Minnesota. It was a perfect destination for the July Fourth week. Our hotel was right by Lake Superior, so we were excited to watch a fireworks show by the crystal blue water. We took a stroll next to the lake before we found a perfect setting right next to the Aerial Lift Bridge. A fireworks display behind that bridge, above that water, is a sight to see. Little did I know what Mike and the girls had prepared for. As the finale of the show started to take place, Mike wanted a photo with the display behind us. We’d taken a number of photos before the show— but if you know me—that just doesn’t cut it. Sofia voluteered to take the photo for us. My world went silent and hot tears escaped me when Mike dropped to one knee. I cried and nodded as Michael held me closely. We then sealed it with a kiss! Jennah stood close to me and smiled the biggest I’ve ever seen, teary-eyed and all. Sofia, too, was close to tears— the girls had been the BEST team in Operation Proposal that Mike could ask for. We all leaned in for a family hug— and now we get to plan a wedding!!!!

It still feels like yesterday when I met the woman that was destined to make me the luckiest guy in the world! She stopped by and introduced herself when I came in to eat at Bristol, and it took everything I could just to remember my name. She was so friendly and easy to talk to. Time passed by and I was lucky enough to sit by her at our friend's wedding and our girls hit it off just like we would. Again, I just was mesmerized by Zahra. Her beauty is only matched by her lovely personality and warm spirit. She has never met a stranger. Eventually she took the first leap and sent a message one night and we talked and I mustered up the courage to ask her out. I have never been good at this and yes I was so nervous, but I knew I just couldn't let this time pass me by...and she said yes!!! A little over two years later and she made me the luckiest guy in the world by answering yes to the biggest question I've ever had... "Will you be my wife? " It was incredible to have our daughters help plan and orchestrate the biggest day this family has had yet! Our daughters our are biggest fans and we are so happy to grow into this amazing family and we absolutely cannot wait for you to celebrate us! Even during these trying times, we feel your love and support for us and know that even if you can't be there in person... you're with us in spirit and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

I had worked at Bristol less than a year and would always hear talks of “when Burks worked here.” He, in true Burks fashion, had made his mark. I was eager to meet him. When I did, talking to him felt natural. Mike would come in with Sofia, and she would prepare his oysters and I remember thinking he was an amazing Dad! One night, a few months after I had met him, I decided to add him on Facebook. He would always like my selfies, and I would get butterflies and post more, just to see if I would get another “like.” After work one evening, I went to get a night cap with some friends. They were asking me about my dating life and I said, if I were to date anyone it would be him— showing them Mike’s facebook. It must have been 2am when I posted another photo that he had liked and I thought why not?! I remember asking him why he was up so late. We had a nice conversation before he gave me the biggest butterflies EVER; he asked me out. I said yes right away, but I couldn’t believe it! I remember telling Jennahbear I was going on a date and she was so excited, she even helped me with my outfit, hair and makeup!! Our first date was incredible, and we haven’t wanted to spend a second without each other since April 10, 2017. Every 10th we celebrate with a date night. I love celebrating with you Michael Scott Burks, and I am so very lucky you chose me.

Sofs side: It was that fateful day that changed the course of me and my dads life. Me and my dad were going to a wedding in 2017. We sat down and then a woman and a little girl sat down next to us, both with dark brown hair and brown skin. The woman was smiling at me. The woman said to me “Hi! This is Jennah!” Now that woman was the one and only Zahra Almoamin(-Burks) and then Jennah got out some lip gloss out of her purse and said “I have lip gloss” I said my mom wouldn’t let me have lip gloss and she asked if I wanted to try some and from that moment we were inseperable. Fast forward 8 months later me and my dad were driving in his car where I found out the unthinkable. I made a joke about my dad dating somebody and then he was silent for a second. I was confused and asked if he was actually dating somebody. He said he was seeing someone and I was so shocked I started to cry a bit. It had always been me and my dad at his house. I was so scared because back then I used to think that anybody who would date my dad would’ve been an evil stepmother. I was wondering who it was because I was visioning of course a mean blonde girl from things like ‘The Parent Trap.’ Then I found out that it was the one and only, Zahra Almoamin, who he was dating. Once he said that it was “Jennah‘s mom from the wedding”, I said “oh OK u can date her then” soon me and my dad started to see Zahra and Jennah more. Then a year later they moved in with me and my dad which was awesome! Jens side: The proposal happened when we went to Duluth, Minnesota. One of the first places we went when we went to was Mall of America. We let my mom shop and we went to Zales! That’s when it all happened, Dad asked if he should propose during the the finale of the firework show and we obviously said “yes yes yes!” and he did! She was SO surprised and while Sof was taking a picture Dad got down on one knee and popped the question “Will you marry me” and my mom obviously said yes! Me and Sof were SO HAPPY!