Thursday, February 11, 2010

Chalanda & Matthew




Matthew and Chalanda Samec
Married May 28, 2005







Love doesn't always read like a fairytale. It's not always by the book and sometimes there are pieces that don't seem to fit until you see the big picture. I met my husband, Matthew, of four years through a very dear friend of mine. They were both attending Sowela and they were enrolled in the Culinary Arts program. One day, she suggested that he and I meet and the least I can say is that it wasn't love at first sight. We met at a local hot spot and he seemed uninterested. The night progressed and soon we both parted ways. I didn't think anything of the meeting until a few days later when I received a phone call. It was Matt. He invited me to hang out, but I wasn't familiar with the area he was in. So, he offered to meet up with me somewhere so that he could show me the way. To make a long story still long, but not as long as it really is, the meeting didn't go as planned. We both waited to meet each other for an hour. It just so happened to not be the same hour. We both thought the other had stood the other up! At the end of the fiasco, I called him and told him that he was a jerk and to never to call me again! Normally that would be the end of this story, but... As fate would have it, he called a few weeks later. By that time, luckily for him, I had almost forgotten about the incident and he asked me to dinner. After that night, we knew there was a connection between us. Ironically, we had very little in common. We were such opposites that it didn't make sense for there to be an attraction, but we couldn't stay away from one another. Our time together seemed to go on for a lifetime, but it was only 3 short months before we were engaged. He was so nervous when he proposed. He didn't know what knee he was supposed to kneel on, so he got down on both knees to make sure that he got the right one! It was the most sweetest act of romance that I had ever seen. (I still pick on him about it to this day!) We hadn't been engaged long, maybe two or three months, when Matt suddenly fell extremely ill. We thought he had caught a virus and that it would pass, but that wasn't the case. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and I thought that I was going to lose my darling fiance'. He stayed in the hospital for close to eight months. None of the local doctors could tell us what was wrong with him. He couldn't eat. He couldn't drink. He had wasted away before my very eyes. It hurt so badly to see him suffer, but I couldn't leave his side. I was truly afraid that if I left, I would never see him again. I rushed him to the Diagnostic Center in Houston, TX to see a man who, in my eyes, is an angel sent from God. He diagnosed Matt with Crohn's
Disease and got him on the road to recovery. We've been together for close to seven years now and we have three gorgeous children. Every moment of every day is something to be thankful for. I believe whole-heartedly that God meant for us to grow and learn from our past experience. We both realize that every day is special. I love my husband and I can't imagine life without him.
Chalanda Samec

126 comments:

Chalanda Samec said...

I vote for this one!

Casey A. said...

These two are my greatest friends in the entire world, and I couldn't have better people in my life than them... I am that "very dear friend" that Chalanda speaks of! She and I have been "sisters" since childhood, and even through the worst of times have managed to stick together. When I introduced them to each other, I felt so terrible that things didn't seem to be working out for them. But, the day she told me Matt had proposed to her, my heart filled with overwhelming joy that I had a part in giving her such a wonderful gift in life. Chay and Matt, you are both a gift in my life as well and I love you both so dearly! I hope you guys get all the votes!!! <3 Casey

Jamie Sheppard said...

i vote for this one!!!

Anonymous said...

I vote for Chalanda and Matt. :)
They are an awesome couple.. they always find a way to work everything out and they are truly happy in their marriage. Not many people can say that and it be true.. but you can see it in the way she looks at him and when he grins back.. I definetly think they deserve to win!

Anonymous said...

I vote for this one

Kay Huck said...

Of Course they have my vote!! I'm Matt's Mom!!! They are two very special people...you can tell the way they gaze into each other's eyes.

bridget said...

need she say more about true love? Cha and Matt have my vote deffintly.

luv u guys
bridget

Anonymous said...

i vote for them!!

Anonymous said...

these two are married and going through real life situations, past the lovebirds stage and are still loving each other. definetly think they have the true love, it is proved itself over time.

Anonymous said...

I VOTTE FOR THEM!!!!

Anonymous said...

i vote for this awesome couple!!!!

Anonymous said...

i choose this one!! definately a great couple!!

Anonymous said...

I vote here

Anonymous said...

nitpa: I vote for Matt &Chalanda

Rachel said...

What a sweet story!

Anonymous said...

You get my vote!

Unknown said...

Mary Frances Samec (Matt's aunt)

Chalanda and Matt are the sweetest couple. They look like they fall in love more every day.

Paige said...

I vote for Chalanda & Matt.. Chay, you are the greatest sister ever.. Love ya..

Anonymous said...

i vote this one

Anonymous said...

Have my vote!

Anonymous said...

Sweetest Couple always manage to work out their difficulties and stick with each other through thick and thin

Anonymous said...

You rock Chay and Matt!

Fleck said...

It takes alot of love, to fall for a guy who wears a plastic butt on his head... That is true love...

Anonymous said...

Got my vote!!!

Mel V. said...

dude these 2 r the best!!!!!!!!!!

Lita P! said...

Here's to the greatest!

Stefan said...

Um... Congrats. Hope you win.

Anonymous said...

I vote for these two! Good Luck!

Anonymous said...

Hope you Win!

Anonymous said...

They are cute as a two peas in a pod!

Beverly Hill said...

You can see how much they care for each other no matter what life throws them! Together they prevail!

Jan H. said...

I've known this young lady since she was nothing but knees and elbows. She was always like a second daughter and a true joy to watch grow into a woman with my own daughter. I hope very much that you two get the votes, Chalanda! Love, Ms. Jan

Anonymous said...

here's my vote

Anonymous said...

They're disgustingly lovey. I guess that's worth my vote.

Anonymous said...

You go! Love to see you win

Anonymous said...

Have my vote

Anonymous said...

you have been through a lot hope you win so here's my vote

Marilyn said...

Good Luck!

Debbie said...

Hope you win!

Barbara said...

I remember your wedding day good luck

Anonymous said...

There's a lot of love between you two

Patsy said...

my vote

Kathy said...

Hope you win

Anonymous said...

Keep Smiling and Gazing into each other's eyes

Anonymous said...

they get my vote

Anonymous said...

here's my vote

Anonymous said...

i like them; working thru life issues

Kay said...

I voted for you!!!!

Anonymous said...

hey, they look good; lots of dedication to each other

Anonymous said...

vote for samecs

grissom said...

i like them!

braxton said...

my mommie and daddy are tops!

Dixie said...

hey sames gotta win

Grandpa said...

Good Luck!

Aunt Helen said...

My vote is for you two

Tracey said...

VOTE VOTE VOTE That's all I hear, now you happy!! I voted for you

Anonymous said...

what a heart-warming story! i think they deserve some photos

Anonymous said...

my vote is for Matt and Chay

Anonymous said...

I'm voting for Matt and Chay also

Anonymous said...

8 months in the hospital, wow! talk about bed sores.

Mary said...

Hope you win

Anonymous said...

Go for it!

Sharon said...

You two take some beautiful pictures, hope you win

Anonymous said...

very persitent couple; te get my vote

Patrick said...

love you all hope youwin

George said...

okay here's my vote

Anonymous said...

I vote for you

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful love story!
Matt and Chalanda have my vote!

Sara Horan said...

I vote for this one as well!!! What a sweet story!

Anonymous said...

I vote for this one!

Anonymous said...

I vote for Matt & Chalanda

Anonymous said...

Here's my vote

Anonymous said...

Love your story!

Anonymous said...

I vote for you Matt & Chay

Anonymous said...

This is my vote!

Anonymous said...

No two deserve this more!!!

Casey said...

I'm gonna break out the vote army! But, only if I get a 5x7!

Anonymous said...

luv u guys!!! i vote for yall!

C.T.C. said...

Lita sent me to this link, and after reading your story I am truly inspired! You two have the best love story of these!

mike said...

n e friend of caseys is a friend of mine. heres my vote

Anonymous said...

this is my vote

Anonymous said...

voting for this couple

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story!! It really stood out from the others!

Casey A. said...

Here's a vote from Dad!

Anonymous said...

awesome story!

Anonymous said...

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you two get this!

jj said...

looks like this is a tight race

cortnee said...

happy vday!

Marlene said...

Vote!!

thenjmob said...

yo heres a vote from jersey

Anonymous said...

this is my vote

Kat said...

Casey told me about this story, and she was right! It really is wonderful!

Alison said...

A very nice story and beautiful couple

Dusty said...

Good luck you two

rick said...

happy vday to the couple

jill said...

i've heard lots about these two and they seem to deserve this more than anything! they've been through so very much in such a short time! please make sure they win it people!

Mr. K said...

Hi Chalanda. I hope y'all get the votes.

Anonymous said...

you've got my vote

Izzie said...

vote

Anonymous said...

vote

Anonymous said...

vote

Anonymous said...

vote!

Anonymous said...

good luck

Anonymous said...

you can do it

Anonymous said...

by the light may you win

Anonymous said...

you two are cute

Anonymous said...

god speed

Anonymous said...

victory

Jennifer said...

These guys rock! I hope you win, Chay!

autumn said...

luv these 2 kiddos! hope u get it!

Gwen said...

I hope the best for you

Bev said...

Awww! How sweet!

bailey said...

good day

Toni said...

I hope this vote makes it before the deadline!!

beholder said...

you two rock

Anonymous said...

you have my vote

Anonymous said...

go go go go go

Matt Samec said...

I love my wife!

kollin said...

by popular demand

Penny said...

you two look so in love!!!

linda said...

really hope you win!! <3

diana said...

two of the cutest!

Shin said...

They are great friends. Known them since our days at the tavern.

Lita said...

Keep it real u 2

Carl K. said...

voting

Anonymous said...

i vote here!