I Said Yes: My Story of Heartbreak, Redemption, and True Love (26 page)

What a promise. To me, this is what matters most. While
I’m grateful for my husband, my daughter, my family, my friends, and all the opportunities I’ve been given, I am most taken aback by God’s goodness. He woos us and invites us on an adventure headed to destinations unknown, armed with His everlasting and unfailing love. Wow! Yes, please. Definitely yes.

Acknowledgments

A
.J., despite making you want to pull your hair out on multiple occasions, thank you for making this process as easy as possible. You have such a true gift, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for your future. Let’s get the babies together!

Brian Hampton, Kristen Parrish, Katherine Rowley, Janene MacIvor, and the rest of the talented and creative team at Thomas Nelson who lent their talent and expertise, thanks for believing in me!

Esther, I knew the moment I met you that I wanted you on my side, and I’m so glad you were from the very beginning. Thank you for always having my back.

I couldn’t write this book without thanking everyone at
The Bachelorette
. You all changed my life and taught me more about myself than I could ever imagine, good and bad! I love each of you and will count you among my true friends forever.

Specifically, Cassie, you have seen me at my best and more often at my worst and still love me despite it all. Your heart is bigger than anyone’s, and I’m so lucky to count you as one of my lifelong friends. You’re a tough bird for sure.

Amy, you are one of a kind and your spirit is infectious.
Thank you for always cheering me up with your awkward dances and Diet Coke in the morning. I love you!

Alycia, sometimes I think you know me better than I know myself. Thank you for always being there for me when I need you the most, whether I’m the Bachelorette or not. I love you and your sweet family so much!

Martin, thank you for being so kind to me, even when I’m “going crosses.” I’m still sorry about that by the way.

Elan, what is there to say about you that hasn’t been said a million times before? You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met in all the best ways and I love you for that.

Now on to my family,

Mom, it’s hard for me to put into words how much you mean to me without crying. You’ve been my best friend since I was a little girl, and I just hope I can be half the mom to my children. I love you forever and like you for always.

Dad, thank you for being the first man I ever loved and showing me how I should be treated by my future husband. I love you!

Ernie, I’ve loved watching you grow into the amazing father and man that you are today. No one can make me laugh the way you do. I love you.

Nana and Pop Pop, we’ve been through so much together, and you all have become my second parents. Thank you for loving me through all the ups and downs life has taken me through. I love you both beyond words.

David Chadwick, thank you for being one of the first people to believe in me and the story He is telling through my life. Tyler and I couldn’t ask for better role models than you and Marilyn. We love you both.

Ricki, we’ve grown up together in so many ways and yet you’ve taught me more about life than anyone. Being your mommy has been my greatest joy and the reason my heart smiles every day. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has planned for your future because I know it’s something special. I love you all the way to heaven and back.

Jennings, I prayed for you every day, and the wait was worth every minute. You’ve brought so much love and happiness to our house, and I fall more and more in love with you every day.

And Tyler, my best friend and truest love, where do I begin? From the moment I saw you I knew you were set apart, and I wanted you to be a part of my life forever. You have reminded me every day what God’s love truly looks like by the way you love me. I love every part of who you are and can’t wait to see what He has in store for our next fifty years.

About the Authors

E
mily Maynard Johnson
experienced the tragic and sudden loss of her fiancé, NASCAR driver Ricky Hendrick, when she was eighteen. Days after his death, she discovered she was pregnant with her now ten-year-old daughter, Ricki. Navigating life as a single mom spawned an initial whirlwind of trying to balance finding her identity as an individual and being a parent. Known best for hoping to find love on camera, Emily appeared on season 15 of
The Bachelor
and season 8 of
The Bachelorette
. In 2014, Emily found the real deal and married Tyler Johnson. A fashionista at heart, she fulfilled one lifelong dream and created her own jewelry line. Emily lives in Charlotte with her husband, Tyler; daughter, Ricki; and son, Jennings. They attend Forest Hills Church, pastored by David Chadwick.

A.J. Gregory
writes about real life. She is the author of two books,
Messy Faith
and
Silent Savior
. A.J. has also partnered with amazing people on over thirty-five memoirs and self-help books, some
New York Times
bestsellers. She is known for her book collaborations with celebrities like Pattie Mallette, Justin
Bieber’s mom, and Darryl Strawberry, as well as fascinating, high-profile people including a Mafia boss’s wife, a Special Forces military leader, a high-class escort turned public advocate against sex trafficking, and a financially savvy blogger who averages 1.5 million readers a month. A.J. lives with her husband and their three children in the great Garden State. For more information, visit
www.ajgregory.net
.