JosephBurke.com

Alexandra recently came to Kentucky, and with her trip came the introducing of many of my friends for the first time to her. These are the people that have made huge impacts on my life, and the same people that have known my family for over 30 years. When I first got word that Alexandra was coming to Kentucky, I wanted to set up a dinner with some great friends from Indiana. Bobby Joe and Madonna Pass have been more than influential on my life, even during my teen years when Madonna taught me in high school from 1994-1998. She was the sweetest woman on high school hill, and she was always one of my favorites from the start. It was later after she retired, remarried and moved to Indiana that Madonna and my family again reconnected through her husband Bobby Joe. His love for gospel music, and all music in general, sparked an interest for my family’s unique gospel singing ability. It was then that Bobby Joe and Madonna have been staple figures in my life, and will remain that way for the rest of my life. Their love, support and words of wisdom guided me through the roughest of times as life threw me many curve balls emotionally over the past year. Alexandra and I had the wonderful opportunity to dine with Bobby Joe and Madonna, and below are some of the many great pictures taken from our time together. Love you both dearly!

Joseph Beth Bookstore - Lexington, KY

These cold served broiled shrimp were a wonderful start to a great dinner.

Alexandra and I in front of the waterfall at Joseph Beth Bookstore.

Two of the finest people in the world, Bobby Joe and Madonna Pass

Alexandra and Madonna together.

Me and the man himself, Bobby Joe Pass.

Group shot, courtesy of a local Joseph Beth Bookstore patron.

Another treat was my mom and dad taking part in Alexandra’s visit to Kentucky. It’s a blessing to have a family so supportive of my efforts in the past few months, and it’s even a bigger blessing that mom and dad love Alexandra dearly. When my parents heard she was coming to see us, we immediately made plans to do an all day shopping spree with dinner, and we did just that. Mom and dad openly embrace Alexandra for the simple fact, she loves me, and that’s the most important thing on their minds. I am so overwhelmed to have such great parents, and future in-laws that are amazing on both ends!

First stop was lunch, and we could only thing one place, WHITE CASTLE!!!

Mom and Alexandra in sheer happiness shopping for Vera Bradley bags.

Me and Alexandra at Joseph Beth Book Store on the Vera Bradley couch.

Me with my mother Sondra and father Tony Burke.

Mom and dad steal a quick hug

Alexandra with my mother, truly an exciting picture for me.

My favorite picture from this set, me and Alexandra embracing as best friends, engaged couple, and soon to be husband and wife.

Watching the television last night, I was amazed to see this great nation turn out in such overwhelming numbers, an estimated 131 million people turned out last night to cast their vote for president. I am proud of the fact that America felt so empowered to the point of getting off their rumps and making some sort of difference. Whether you voted for McCain or Obama, the fact that you voted yesterday means a lot. We’re living in some scary times right now, many evangelical Christian groups are calling it the precursor to “End of Days.” Some are even saying the economic situation in the world could be the ushering of the antichrist. I just hope that we as a nation can pray for our elected leader, that God will give him the power, knowledge and wisdom to make the American moral based choices that are right for both this great country and the citizens within. It’s surely amazing to be living in such a time as this, where Americans elected the first ever black president to lead this nation. The voice was heard, and even though I personally had my issues with both candidates that ran for office, I cast my vote to the man I felt could make the right choices in the midnight hour. Let’s all as Christians and faith believing people, humble ourselves and pray for the leader elect. Whether you voted for him or not, whether you like him or not, he’s the man that will lead us in the next 4 years.

Now, moving on to personal matters in my life, I am overjoyed lately of how the love bug has taken me to new levels and heights in which I never imagined. Not only am I now officially engaged to Alexandra, but we’re planning so many wonderful things together all the way through to my move to Florida in May 2009. I am so excited, that for the first time in my life, I get to sit down with my soul mate, and cook Thanksgiving Dinner with her, and even get to spend my birthday and parts of the Christmas Season with her and her wonderful family in Florida. We both have truly been blessed lately with a spree of fortunate luck, and it’s just an ultimate sign from a higher power that something big is working behind the scenes in both our lives. We both met by chance in Orlando, FL this past July and it has been love at first sight ever since. To all those skeptics out there that say, “There is no love at first sight,” I say to you that it sounds like you haven’t found true happiness yet and you yourself are still searching.

No one in life is never really 100% happy all the time. Life throws us many curve balls that often shadow the happiness we think we have. True love is a form of happiness that never dies or is never lost. Once two people find that, you know it instantly that something magical is happening. True love will last through the fires of life that burn sometimes out of control. Whether sickness, problems or whatever obstacle comes your way, a relationship that is true will last when those problems are long passed. Now I know I kind of sound like a text book when writing this, but it’s important for me to get this out there to you all, because I am one that is living in the “NOW” and has found true love. No, I don’t assume it is true love, or could be, or have doubts, I know beyond any reasonable doubt that God made this precious woman to lift my spirits and bring me joy when I am sad give me hope when I have none. God made Alexandra for Joe, and Joe for Alexandra. It took us many relationships and attempts to find love to understand that, but in the end, we have both come out on top with something that many in the world are still searching for, and sadly some will never find. I prayed day and night that God would deliver someone to me that could understand me, relate to me and love me for who I am, not my problems or issues in life. That is how you define true love.

Click Here to get the code for this media player.

Feel free to share this player and code with your friends to help spread the word about my music.
Thanks,
Joe

So, last week was one of the most amazing 7 days of my entire life. First of all, I proposed to my darling Alexandra in which she overwhelming said yes to my offer of marriage. Here’s a shot of her engagement ring for those of you interested. Here is how I proposed to Alexandra. I had all intentions of doing it at the Walt Disney World Theme Park in Magic Kingdom during the nightly fireworks “Wishes” spectacle. On the plane ride in, I became overly worried about potentially loosing the ring in the park during all of our rides since we would be doing literally 11 hours at Magic Kingdom. So, I decided to propose to her in a private emotionally fashion soon as I landed in Cape Coral. I unpacked my bags, got situated, took a shower and just as she left to get some drinking water, I snuck in my backpack, pulled out the ring box and hid it behind me. Soon as she entered the room, and popped the question. After an overwhelming cry and hugging, it was finally official.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL ORLANDO PICTURES FROM THIS TRIP

Main Entrance to Magic Kingdom

The Disney World Park Monorails

Space Mountain from a distance

The park was all themed for Halloween

Magic Kingdom Train Station Entrance

My first view of the Cinderella Castle

The famous Disney World Cinderella Castle

Me and Alexandra at the Castle

I also met the one and only Mickey and Minnie Mouse!!!

Fireworks at Disney “Wishes”

“Wishes” Fireworks

The Cinderella Castle by night

Alexandra with Bridal Mickey ears and showing off the ring!

CLICK HERE FOR ALL ORLANDO PICTURES FROM THIS TRIP

True Love - The Story of Joe & Alexandra from Joe Burke on Vimeo.