Our Story

Thirteen years ago today, I married the man of my dreams.

Here is our story:

In highschool, he went to the Christian academy that was associated with my church. I would sometimes go to soccer or basketball games with my friends from church who also went to the academy and would see him there (he played). Sometimes he would come to our church with his friends on Sunday nights. When I would see him walk in, I would pray that he would sit in front of me so I could shake his hand during the "shaking hand" time.

I had the biggest crush on him.

I was at his graduation in 1991 because I had friends graduating with him. In the little book that listed everyone's name and what they wanted to do after highschool, his said he wanted to be a youth pastor. I thought, "He's cute, cool and he loves God!" At that time in my mind those things didn't go together. At the reception, my sister's friend took a picture of him and I put in my request for a copy. That picture hung in my locker my senior year (until my current boyfriend came to school and made me take it down).

A year or two later, my sister and her friend saw him at a comedy club and reported how cute he was! My reply was, "I might as well quite lusting after this guy. I'm never going to get a date with him anyway."

In January 1995, I started attending our current church. I was in need of a change from where I had been. I knew he went there but that was not my purpose in going. I'm serious!! Besides, I was sure he had a girlfriend.

One Wednesday night, as I was walking toward the College and Career class, I was having this conversation with God about how my motives for switching churches were pure and I wasn't there to meet him. I think I was trying to keep from getting my hopes up. I hadn't even laid eyes on him yet.

Well, sure enough, he and a friend were outside the building next door trying to decide if they were going to go to another church that night. I won't say why they were going to do that, but it had something to do with there not being any girls at our church that they were interested in.

When he saw me walking toward the class, he decided to stay. Oh, my beating heart! There he was, in the flesh!! The class was set up in a circle and he sat right across from me. I didn't hear a word. The only thing I was paying attention to was whether he caught me looking at him or not.

On his way out that night, he introduced himself. I said, "I know who you are."

He asked me out for our first date Sunday morning, January 22, 1995. When I got home I told my parents that "I was keeping this one."

I was still going to my old church on Sunday nights so he met me there after the service. He was too nervous to eat so we picked up Taco Bell for me and watched a movie at his house.

Eight and a half months later we were all dressed up as bride and groom. I wasn't a bit nervous. But when they opened the doors and I saw him standing at the altar, he took my breath away. I started to shake and cry a little. Dad asked if I was okay. All I could say was, "He's so beautiful!"

I often say that I don't know why God gave him to me because I don't deserve him. But oh how thankful I am.

Happy Anniversary, Babe! I love you forever and always!