Eight Years Ago

I've always loved Christmas.  It was the one time of year, when I was a child, that my family life seemed pretty much normal (whatever that is.)  Eight years ago, though, I got one of the best gifts I could have ever imagined.  I met my husband.  My husband and I went on our first date on Dec 16th, but though it went well, and we had a nice time, I told him that I didn't want to see him again because I wasn't looking for a relationship.  (He had expressed to my friend, that came along, that his goal in dating was to fall in love, get married, and have children.  This was about 10 minutes into our date, and it freaked me out a bit.)  So we ended our date with no plans to contact each other again.  He didn't even have  my phone number! 

The next day though, he permeated my every thought.  I couldn't get him out of my head.  The way he looked, the way he looked at me, his personality, just everything about him.  I called him 3 times from a payphone near his house, hoping that he'd answer just so I could talk to him again, and maybe see him.  He finally answered the third time, and I told him that somehow he had managed to sneak his way into my psyche, and that I had changed my mind and would like to see him again.  I visited him at his home a few times in the next couple weeks, for about 30 minutes each, and spoke to him on the phone about nothing and everything. This relationship was one where we didn't move to sex right away, and it felt so right. 

I remember on about the third visit as I was getting ready to get into my car and leave, that he held my door open for me, and I finally asked him if he was ever going to kiss me.  He said "you want me to kiss you?"  I said "well, yeah!"  As we kissed, I noticed that the poor guy's legs were shaking.  It was so endearing!!!  I was already dangerously close to falling in love.  On Dec 23rd we had our second "date."  I spent the evening at his house, and he was so romantic!!  He had candles lit, and Kenny G music going...we soaked in the hot tub, and had a wonderful evening.  I'll never forget that night, for the rest of my life.  I knew that night, that this was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. 

So, tomorrow, on Dec 23rd, I will celebrate 8 years of being in love with the man that is my husband, and I must thank God for His provision.  I am so blessed!  Even during a time when I had turned from the Lord, He was still looking out for me, and providing that which was for my good.  So today I will meditate on Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

 Thank you Lord for Your Provision and Care.  I can never thank you enough for blessing me with this wonderfully caring man.  A man that was made for me, and I for him.  May your name be praised above all!!