Lenora met James while she was working as a manager at a modeling school. They felt an instant attraction, went on one great date after the next and soon became way more than just friends. Now the lovebirds are planning their big day. "We want something that is non-traditional and a big party," Lenora says.
"If you’re spying on us on a Friday night, you’ll probably catch us eating pizza and watching movies. He will be drinking Coors Lite, and I’ll be drinking a glass of Pinot Grigio," Lenora says. "Oh, we would also be sitting on a mattress that we pulled out from our spare room into the living room!"
Lenora says she was totally shocked when James proposed. "We were on Jeckyll Island for my friend’s wedding," Lenora says. "It was on a Saturday, after lunch with the newlyweds, and we were about to get on the road, so we decided to walk on the beach before heading out. He started rambling saying, 'Lenora, you know I love you. I always want to be where you are.' My first thought was: 'Are you proposing?' He said, 'Well, yeah.' I said, 'Where is the ring? You cannot propose to me without a ring.' He grabbed my hand and said, 'Well, lets go up here to this candy shack and get you a candy ring.' I started laughing, and when I turned to look at him, he had a ring on his finger."
Lenora says the couple's most romantic date was when she prepared an at-home dinner and movie for James. "He loves Chinese food so I went to the Chinese place and got two different meals, rented movies from a Redbox and got some champagne and chocolate. I also went to get candles and a table cloth," she says. "When he came home, I rushed him into the shower and when he came out he was completely surprised. We watched movies and ate dinner. It was very romantic."
Lenora says she wasn’t looking for love when she met James, but she was open to the possibility of love. "It was love at first sight for him, not me," she admits.
Lenora loves that her future husband is a protector.
"Technically, we dated for three months before getting engaged," Lenora says. "If he tells it, we dated for six months because he counts back to our first date."
Lenora says she told James “I love you” first. "We had returned from visiting my family in Virginia and had had a heated discussion during the trip. I realized that he would stick with me through thick and thin and later that evening I told him that I loved him," she says.
"I told him I didn’t want a huge rock on my finger as I’m not much of a jewelry person. I didn’t want all the bling and something overly expensive," Lenora says. "He ended up picking out this beautiful five-stone platinum ring. The middle stone is one and a half carats. There are also built-in bands on each side of the ring. It definitely blings, but I’ve grown to love it."
"I think he chose to marry me because he knew I was what he needed," Lenora says.
Lenora says her future husband is protective, silly and kind. "I came home from work one day to find flowers, a hand-written card and candy. It was a small gesture that meant a lot to me," says Lenora.
"My friends love “Taco!” LOL. They think he is fun, real and a really good guy. They can tell how much he loves and cares for me," Lenora says. "His mother and I have a great relationship, and his dad adores me. I love all of his family. They are so much like my family. If my parents were still living, I’m sure they’d love him."
"The best gift to date is a white gold necklace with a fancy cross," Lenora says. "It reminds me of my mother."
Lenora says she knew James was "The One" when she first took him home to meet her family. "Everything just felt right, like we were just meant to be," she says.
Lenora says when they are finally husband and wife she can’t wait to have fun and start a family.
Join us in wishing Lenora and James a very happy ever after. Leave your well wishes for the couple below and be sure to email us now if you'd like to see your engagement photos in Just Engaged!
