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Monday, February 1, 2010

I Just Knew

Have you ever had that moment in your life when you just knew something before you ever opened your mouth? I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I had just turned 16 and walked in to my first day of work at Hardee's and there he was, up on the ladder changing a light bulb. I can still remember the feeling of my heart about to beat out of my chest. I glanced at him quickly, and then rushed to go do my job.

I went home that evening and told my mom and dad that I had met the man I was most definitely going to marry. They both thought I was crazy--even I thought I was crazy, but something inside of me knew he was the one.

I never got up the nerve to talk to him because the next day, I realized he was dating one of the other girls there. My heart sank as I watched them eat together, or leave together. I really liked him. I had never even talked to him, but my heart was his.

For a couple of months, things went on like this until one day, we struck up a conversation--just like that. He was filling in on the kitchen side for the day and he asked me a question which opened the door for lighthearted conversation. To me he was the smartest, most handsome guy I had ever seen in my life. It was funny what we were talking about--my love life. I was dating another guy that worked there, but this guy already had a girlfriend. Stephen was telling me that I deserved better than this guy and that if he was hiding me from his other girlfriend, I should dump him--so I took his advice.

One day, Stephen came into work and he looked kind of sad. I asked him what was wrong and he said him and his girlfriend had just broken up. From that moment on, my heart beat rapidly and I almost missed the rest of the conversation. He looked at me and said "keep an open mind", and then asked me to help him find a good girlfriend. All I could think of was saying--"I'm the one you need--it's me!", but I refrained!. When he left that day, he drove by the drive through window to show me his new wheels on his camaro. It was at that moment that I realized I would never be happy until this guy was mine.


I rushed to the back office where his mother, who was my boss at the time, was counting cash drawers. I asked her what she thought about me and him going out together. She said she was okay with it so I asked her to ask him out for me, because I was scared to death of what he was going to say! She said she would and that was the last I heard of anything from either of them for two weeks.

One evening, exactly two weeks from the day I had asked his mother to ask him out for me, he came in with his buddy. They had been out playing some basketball and were coming in to grab a bite to eat. I remember the feeling of strong butterflies in my stomach as I watched him walk in the door. He was smiling at me so weird. He walked up to the counter and said "okay". I looked at him and said , "okay...what". He said we can go out--I am up for it. (Can you hear the hallelujah chorus at this moment)?

Our first date was September 5, 1991 and we have been together ever since. I can remember thinking to myself, he is just not like all the other guys I had dated. He was considerate, and conservative. In fact, it was two weeks before he ever held my hand! I wish that I could say it was all perfect from that point on, but it was not. We had many major ups and downs, almost lost our marriage and family, but God is the one that put us together--I have no doubt in my mind. And in the end, it is God who has kept us together regardless of all the past mistakes either of us have made.

He is my true knight in shining armor and will always be the love of my life--my true love who without a shadow of a doubt was the most precious gift from God besides my salvation that he could give me. We have now been together for a total of 18 years- 2 years dating and 16 in marriage. All I can say is that it can only get better as we grow old together.
 
I love you sweetheart!

5 comments:

Malissa P. said...

That is so beautiful. Good for you for following your heart, thank you Jesus that it was in the right direction. Congratulations!
Blessings

Jen@Scrapingirl said...

What a sweet post. You are one blessed lady. :)

Christy of The Travel Bags said...

Very cute! Love the pictures.

Kimberly said...

What a beautiful post and tribute to your husband!

Deb said...

thank you for sharing your love story. having a strong marriage is a lot of work, isn't it??? =) may the Lord give you many, many more happy years together!