It's OVER....SIGH

It's been a while since I last posted. It has been a VERY HECTIC 10 weeks.
Ten weeks ago Michael started his campaign, two weeks later I started school (3 nights a week in Athens, some nights getting home at midnight). Well it's ALL over.
I just submitted my last paper for this semester!!!! Guess what, I have 3 classes left to take!! I am so excited.
Unfortunately, Michael did not win the election. So now I can vent about that experience. First I would like to say, I am so proud of my wonderful husband. He is truly amazing. It took a lot of courage and determination to step up to the plate. We put our hearts into this campaign. Every free moment Michael had he was out knocking on doors, every where we went Michael stopped to speak. It would take us an hour to go get bread at the grocery store. Every time we went out to eat he would stop and greet guest.
Every free moment I had (which was not very much), I knocked on doors with Michael, made phone calls for him, ordered campaign stuff, printed fliers, designed brochures, and proof-read ads for the paper.
There has not been a night in the last 10 weeks where I sat down to watch tv or went to bed early. My day began at 530 am and did not end until late.
I knew how bad Michael wanted this job, I knew how bad I wanted him to get it.
On Tuesday, July 15th I was a nervous wreck. Both Michael and I worked that day, we knew it would do us no good to sit at home and wait. The anticipation was enough, we needed to stay busy. I left work at my usual time and went straight to the poles. I saw a few people I knew and just smiled at them. I felt like I was going to throw up, it reminded me of a funeral home. Everyone was quite and serious. I stood in a VERY short line and waited my turn. I just wanted to scream out, "VOTE FOR MICHAEL ADAMS." My hands were shaking when I filled out the information sheet, I know the women at that table probably thought I was crazy. I quickly walked over to a computer and casted my vote. And here's the funny part.... when I turned my card back into the poll attendant, I stood there until he gave me a sticker.. I wanted one SOOOO bad. I got in my car and tears filled my eyes. I knew everything I could possibly do or say was no more. It was real.
I made my way to the grocery store for a few items and then went home to wait. Michael came home and he too was a nervous wreck. We sat and talked and waited. Michael's dad, Jason, Aunt Diane, and Uncle Chuck joined us and waited. At almost 8 o'clock the results started coming in. The first results were from the city poll, and it was not good. Michael was down over 300 votes. I still had hope. Another big poll came in and Michael was down by over 400 votes. I knew it would take a miracle. It just was not going to happen.
Michael and I knew the numbers just were not going to work out in his favor. We made our way to the court house to congratulate Michael's opponent and to hear the final results. Well, apparently Michael Kicked butt in the last group because he finished just over 300 votes shy of his opponent.
Tears filled my eyes at the court house, I fought them back. I was so proud of Michael and just knew that he was disappointed. His opponent was not present at the court house, he was celebrating with his family and supporters.
We knew where the celebratory party was (it's a small town), so we went to give our congratulations.
I felt good that night when I went to bed, even though, I tossed and turned all night.
I felt like a mature adult, I felt as if we had accomplished something. Michael gained a lot of respect that night. He showed our county what a honest, unselfish, and prideful person he is. He held his head high and so did I. Even though, WE did not win the election we did prove to this town the kind of people we are.
There were a lot of familiar faces at the celebratory party, some of which were Michael's supporters (or so we thought). I have learned so many lessons over the last 10 weeks and if there is anything i can tell anyone it would be..."Always be yourself."
God has an amazing plan for Michael and I. On Tuesday, I prayed all day for God to bless Michael with this new job. A coworker saw me with my head down and heard me say AMEN, she asked me what I was praying for. I told her, "for God to bless Michael with this job." Her response is one I will never forget, "Amy, pray for God's will, you do not want to pray for the wrong path." God did not intend for Michael to go down that path, so I thank him for "unanswered prayers."
I am so proud to be the wife of an amazing man who without a doubt is a WINNER in my eyes.