Our Story
somethin like this just don't exist between a backwoods boy and a fairytale princess....
the meeting....
can I have this dance
Josh and Christina met in December 2006 at Wild Country, a country line dancing night club in Collinsville, IL. They had both been going for years, and Christina had a huge crush on "hat boy" but he had never noticed her. One night Josh was doing a sailor shuffle (cute little line dance) all by his lonesome when Christina and Erin Drayton came over and joined him.
After the dance, Josh came over and introduced himself, but Christina walked away because she was positive that he wasn't interested in her. But he was, and he chased her relentlessly for the next month. With cheesy pick-up lines and many dances, Josh won Christina over. The two of them went to Wild Country every chance they could in hopes of seeing each other.
When Christina was getting ready to go on vacation, she knew it would be a while before she saw Josh again since she would go right back to school in Cape Girardeau. So the night before she left, she walked right up to him and said, "Do you want my number or not?". He of course took it down (although he thought it was a fake number) and sent her a text to be sure it was her while she was in Florida. Christina was so head over heels, she knew she had to see him again. So without hesitation, she drove 13 hours straight through from FL so that she could make it to Wild Country to see Josh before she headed back to Cape.
In January, Josh asked Christina to go to a wedding in Springfield with him. She politely declined because she thought only lunatics went out of town with a boy and his family for the first date. But Josh didn't give up, he asked her day after day and even had his friends persuade her into it. Christina came up with a brilliant plan....she told Josh that if he learned the words to Brad Paisley's song "She's Everything" and sang them to her then she would go.
The night before the wedding, Josh and Christina planned to meet at Wild Country. Before he left, Josh sent the lyrics to Christina on myspace, and that night when she requested the song....well, he didn't really know the words! But he did try, so she agreed. The next day, she climbed into his mother's truck and said, "HI...I'm Christina" and they were off....
the first date.....
the richardson wedding
Josh and Christina's first date was in Springfield, MO at the wedding of Josh's step-sister, Lindsay and Josh Richardson. After five hours of driving and getting to know Marsha, Jeremiah and Tina they finally arrived at the hotel. Christina was worried about the sleeping arrangements and was relieved when Josh decided to share a room with his mom and Joe.
The wedding went wonderfully and the reception was a blast. Christina spent most of her time with Tina Kenner, trying to get all the scoop on this Josh Baker kid. After a few drinks, the boys went out on the porch and played in the snow...when Josh came back in he fell right to the floor because of his wet boots. He jumped up as fast as he could and Tina snapped a picture of how red he was. Christina and Josh still laugh about his "sweet moves".
That night when it was time to go home, Josh climbed into bed and said, "I hope you like to snuggle". Christina cringed, she hated to snuggle...it was always uncomfortable, and hot, and you can't move because you don't want to wake them, and your arm goes numb, and she gave him about a million reasons as to why she hated it. However, Josh was the greatest snuggler ever, they both slept straight through the night and Christina woke up with a different opinion on cuddling.
When they were going home, Christina wondered if Josh wasn't interested since he hadn't even kissed her all weekend. But when he called her later that night, she asked him to dinner....and he said yes. He drove an hour to St. Louis and they went to Lonestar Steakhouse. Josh was impressed since Christina's meal was free (she works there) and they had a fantastic time talking and laughing and flirting like 12 year olds.
When Josh was dropping her off, Christina knew she couldn't leave again without knowing if he was interested. So she bluntly (and bravely might I add) asked Josh if he was going to kiss her goodnight.
He did...and it was the single greatest kiss Christina had ever had in her life. Just like in the movies, the truck was spinning and butterflies were about to jump out of her throat. It was so great that when she walked inside, she slid down the door (no seriously, she did) and told her parents that she was in love.
making it official.....
after how long
Anyone who knows the couple knows how long it took for them to admit that they were really into one another. In April 2007, Josh decided that he wanted Christina to be his girlfriend. While they were driving to get lunch at Fazoli's, Josh sent Christina a text message saying, "If I asked you to be mine, what would you say?". Christina ignored the text and went inside to eat.
Josh continued to ask, and ask, and ask. Sometimes he would ask multiple times a day for weeks and then other times he would wait a week before he asked again. But Christina was just as persistent with saying no. Every one gave them grief for not being "official" but they weren't ready.
On Christina's first trip to Big Piney, the two realized that they were really in love. They both had such an amazing time, and finally admitted to each other how they felt. One night, caught up in all the ambiance of the fireflies, moonlight and sappiness....Christina finally said yes to being Josh's girlfriend. Unfortunately she took it back five minutes later.
After eleven months, yes eleven....Christina asked Josh to go to Tennessee with her for Thanksgiving. Josh had many experiences on that vacation. He finally tasted the deliciousness of Aunt Annies pretzels, had his first allergic reaction at Bubba Gump, and decided that his horse needed to climb the TN mountains.
One foggy morning Josh convinced Christina to drive up into the mountains...even though she didn't want to. When they got up there it was absolutely gorgeous. It was then that Christina realized that Josh knew what was best and became Josh's girlfriend, after only eleven months.
making it work....
the secret is laughter
Josh and Christina have been together since January 2007 and have definitely had their share of ups and downs. But with every good relationship, the good outweighs the bad. They have had way more laughs and great memories than scars, missing teeth, or even tickets!
Just looking at the photo gallery you can see that laughter is the secret that keeps these two in love. They are always goofing off and trying to have fun, always on the go and trying to do things they have never done before. Christina has helped Josh love chick flicks, mexican food, funny face pictures and sour cream. And Josh taught Christina how to be a cowgirl, farmer, and a Waylon Jennings fan.
Josh and Christina hope to move in together by the end of the year, although the location is still being negotiated. Josh recently became a licenced plumber and Christina just graduated from Southeast Missouri State with a Bachelor's degree in Advertising and Marketing. They are both at a pivotal point in their life and have some big decisions to make, but know that they are there backing one another all the way.
Josh and Christina just added a little puppy to the family. Josh got a pekingnese-poodle mix for Christina for Christmas. Asti has become the new star of both Josh and Christina's families and is always putting on a show. She hasn't quite learned how to bark yet and spends most of her time squeaking, chewing socks, and digging holes. She has definitely brought Josh and Christina closer.
