A Love Story feature Story As Told To She Magazine • Photographed Collin Smith Portraits
“ We keep the spark in our relationship by continuing to date each other — he ’ s my boyfriend , and I ’ m his girlfriend !”
Wplanning began .
We knew we wanted to get married and even though we had talked about it , it was still a surprise when he proposed to me . On November 20 , 2011 , four months after our first date , Jim and I attended an afternoon church program . After it was over , Jim walked me to my Sunday School class , and got down on one knee and proposed . I was completely shocked ! It was a very pleasant surprise , especially since he took into consideration how important my faith was to me and decided to propose in my Sunday School class . There was no hesitation ; the answer was ‘ yes ’ and the wedding
We got married on June 9 , 2012 , and we were proud and happy to be married in the church surrounded by our family and friends . We were excited about beginning our life as husband and wife . Surprisingly neither of us felt nervous , we knew God had put us together , and it was right . On our honeymoon , we went to Florence , Italy . We had such a memorable trip between experiencing the beautiful culture , meeting new people , and enjoying each other ’ s company .
Our four years of marriage has had its ups and downs . We are very different and like things a certain way . My husband is a morning person , and I ’ m not . We were also both used to living alone and are still getting used to living together to this very day . Also , being an interracial couple living in the south , our relationship has been the subject of some negative glances . In these instances , I find comfort in my loving husband who treats me like a queen . At the end of the day , these instances whether good or bad , make our relationship stronger . We always kiss each other before going to work and when we come home . We both work late , but we make a point of always eating dinner together and spending quality time talking about our day .
We keep the spark in our relationship by continuing to date each other — he ’ s my boyfriend , and I ’ m his girlfriend ! Even though both work late , we make a point of always eating dinner together and spending quality time together . We enjoy eating out at one of our favorite restaurants , The Cheesecake Factory , traveling during the summer and watching our favorite TV shows together . I have learned how to be less selfish from my husband and the importance of listening first and not being so quick to speak . My husband has learned that I am very perceptive and I try hard to read him like a book . Jim also has learned how to balance the present and future better and to be less selfish .
I know without a doubt that we are soulmates . God gave us this beautiful gift , and we continue to polish the jewel that is our love . Jim knows I will always be there for him and that there is nothing more important than him ( after God ) in my life . Jim has taught me the true definition of love by accepting me and loving me as I am .
We can ’ t wait to grow old , travel , make more happy memories and gain a greater knowledge of each other . Our marriage is great now , and will always be because we put God first and make communication a priority . We never go to bed angry with each other . We also pray together . To my Pooh : I love you , and I thank God for you every day , you are the man of my dreams .
Jamie and James Mazgaj reside in Florence . James is the Medical Director at Pee Dee Mental Health Center and Jamie is the Behavioral Health Counselor at West Florence High School . She is the owner of JLB Counseling Agency . James has two sons , Robert and Edward .
56 FEBRUARY 2017 SHEMAGAZINE . COM