In a world over-saturated with online dating sites, activity groups for singles, and singles church groups, I think an organic chance meeting is just what the doctor ordered. See, my husband and I met three years ago as of March 14. I love to tell the story because I think in some small way, it gives people hope. My husband and I both got out of long-term relationships before we met each other. I had actually been in one for a little over five years. We had broken up for good the month before and I was planning on marrying at the ripe old age of 30. That would give me time to continue my higher education, allow me to make it on my own, and possibly live on my own for a while. Or just live in my parent's basement and save up money for a house or something. I was thinking of anything and everything to get my mind off not being in a relationship anymore. That also led me to take a lot of time alone to process, pray, and think about what my life goals were. I knew I wanted to get married, have a family, and have a successful career, but I also wanted some time for me. When the right man came along, I'd be ready. Boy, was I wrong.
It was a Sunday afternoon and I was doing my usual thing. Having some me time, bouncing from coffee shop to coffee shop, studying for my GRE, and just relaxing before my work week began. My mom and I had a pretty big fight that weekend and after church I just wanted to kind of hang out and enjoy the afternoon. I had gone to Panera, then a local coffee shop, then to take a break, I headed back to a familiar suburb to go shopping. I was actually looking for a pocket sized Bible I could take with me so I could study anywhere I went (such a good little Christian girl). I headed to a few other stores before going to Barnes & Noble. I actually thought about even sitting in reading in there for a while.
First, I went to peruse a few other aisles and to see the new Twilight book to see what all the fuss was about. As I headed to the religion section, a guy caught my eye. I walked down the aisle (no pun intended) and stood staring at the many Holy Bible options. I thought my biggest decision that day would be what color and translation I wanted my new Bible to be. The guy who caught my eye walked toward me and then behind me, kind of looking at me. I thought I would make a clever joke, so I said, I don't know why this is so hard, they are all the same. He chuckled, which was cute, and then he asked what church I attended. We talked about our churches and what we did for a living, etc. We exchanged numbers and texted pretty much the rest of the night and talked for hours and hours that week on the phone. We covered just about everything that first week. Sure, we didn't know everything there was to know, but we had similar goals and dreams.
I told him about my relationships and what I think went wrong, and what I planned to never do again. We talked about our families, our hobbies, our likes/dislikes, morals, faith, everything! By the second week, we knew we were the ones for each other. I fell head over heels, couldn't eat, sleep, lost about 8 pounds (which was awesome!). We spent every day together, talked all the time, texted like crazy and completely fell for each other- hard! I had never felt anything like it. It was so out of the blue, and unexpected. I know that may sound rare, and I am sure it is, but if you haven't found HIM yet, you will. It may be when you least expect it, or least plan it, or when you don't want to. He's out there and maybe standing in your grocery store, library, coffee shop, or laundromat. Don't lose hope. A few weeks after we met we were engaged. We just knew. Now, we are entering our third year of marriage and still making decisions together. We still have fun, we still talk about everything, and we still hold true to who we were when we met.
Happy three years knowing (& loving) ya, hubs!
