Dear, Henley June,
This probably comes as no surprise to you, but I am not going to stick to the instructions with this blog. (This is a very common characteristic of ‘Dynamic Learners’ on the 4Mat scale.) Thankfully I serve in a field where my love of asking the question, “What if?” is put to good use. I like taking risks, because I never want to get too comfortable. I live to discover the possibilities. From cooking and coursework to painting and pregnancy tests, I never read directions.
Although, instructions are helpful at times, they can occasionally be limiting. With this said, these stories will not be written in chronological order.
I figured the first story should be one based on the two people whose relationship led to you. This is the story of how I met your Father and the moment when I fell in love with him.
After my college graduation, I deferred seminary for a year. This was one of the best choices I ever made, and I will share that story with you another time. During this year off, I decided not to date anyone until I felt he was God’s choice for me. This was a much needed call for me, because I tended to agree to a date with any socially retarded holy roller that asked me out in college. (Yes, I will tell you those stories later.)
During this year off, I also created my ‘pre-seminary goals’ list. This list included such tasks as learn to; cook, oil paint, plant vegetables, and take a self-defense class. In some small way, I was able to check all of these off of my list. The empowerment of self-defense was so intriguing to me, that I signed up for a martial arts course.
Ten months after I began the habit of saying, “no”, for dates, I was good enough to spar with the higher belts. The instructor matched me with your Dad. He was five belts ahead of me, and was an amazing martial artist. He was planning to earn his associates degree and become a state trooper, so a black belt would be his calling card into the academy. There I was, in my workout clothes and no makeup, as this handsome brown-eyed, brown-haired guy bowed to me. Needless to say, I giggled through the whole match. It was ok though; for I would dominate in future matches to come.
Your father had the swagger of Mark Walberg. He had the sensitivity of Collin Firth in “Pride and Prejudice” and “Love Actually” and, well-every single Firth movie I have seen. He had (and has) the mentality of Ron Swanson in “Parks and Recreation”. His sense of humor is equivalent to that of Jimmy Fallon’s. When I first met him, he physically resembled NFL player, Tony Romo. I have since then decided that he is far more handsome.
He was very quiet-at first. He exuded an inner-peace I had never experienced. His level of compassion far exceeded those of any of the holy rollers I used to run with in college. I honestly could not get enough of him. For the first time ever, I was dating someone that I enjoyed more than homework or work.
Four months after we had started dating, we were on our way to a friend’s wedding in the fall. It was a beautiful morning drive on the curvy back roads. The leaves were so orange that the trees looked as though they were on fire. As usual we were singing along to the radio. I turned the volume down and shouted, “LOOK! There’s a pumpkin patch down that road!” I had no intention to stop, I am just easily excited.
Before I knew it, your dad was making a U-turn back to the sign. “What about my heels and your suite?” I asked. “It’s your call”, he said. A few minutes later, we were lifting our knees high through that patch. Yes, my heels got stuck and his dress pants got a lil’ dirty, but the pumpkin we found made it all worth it.
That was the day I fell in love with your Dad. Four years have passed, and I thank God daily for blessing me with a husband, a partner, and a friend, who makes my heart smile more than I could have ever imagined. He far surpasses what I planned out in my high school journal as I prayed for my future husband (Thank you Christian Dating Books! [Please, read in a sarcastic tone.] ), and he is the perfect complement to my soul.
You will come to learn that there are unplanned opportunities for which an instruction manual has yet to be written. These are very exciting times. These times overflow with potential. Pray to be in the moment and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Oh, the possibilities! J
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