17 Years Ago

Today is a very special day, because it marks the 17 year anniversary of the day I met my wonderful husband Randy. We were the very young age of 18 when we met on our way to a Baptist Student Union retreat with a group of students from Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. Funny how when we got onto the school vans that day we had no clue that we'd meet the person we'd spend the rest of our lives with. I still remember what I was wearing that day... nothing special, but I remember. On our way to the location of the retreat, where we slept on church floors (ouch!), we stopped at someone's parent's house to eat, and that's where we met. Near a pool table I believe. He and his roommate and me and my roommate. And a friendship began. The four of us hit it off and ended up spending most of the retreat together. We had some hilarious times that weekend. Shannon and I returned back to school thinking that we had met our 2 newest best friends... and how excited we were to think they weren't interested in anything but friendship! I pictured all of the fun things we'd all do together, and was relieved that there was no pressure to date.

Well, we girls were mistaken. It didn't take long for Randy and his roommate to make their move. Funny thing was that they indicated that either one of them would be interested in going out with either one of us. How's that for romantic? A hilarious week ensued, and fortunately for me, Randy and I ended up going out that following Friday, January 29th on our first date. And I fell asleep. But only because I was so exhausted from hanging out with him all week already! We ate Chinese food. We went to see "A Few Good Men" (where I fell asleep). We rode in Randy's old truck that sounded more like an airplane than a vehicle...we had to yell to talk to each other in it! And six weeks later we were talking about the possibility of getting married one day.

Oh, how young and silly we were. But there's something very sweet and innocent about those days. Our entire adult lives were ahead of us. We had dreams for the future and we wanted to spend that future together. We had no idea what lay ahead. And we still don't. But God blessed me beyond words that January 22nd, 17 years ago, when we gave me the honor of meeting such a wonderful man. I love Randy with all of my heart. I certainly don't deserve the beautiful life and marriage that we share. He is a Godly man, who loves the Lord more than anything, and spends each day serving me and his 3 sons. I am humbled that God chose someone so special for me. I wouldn't want to live a day without him.

Randy, I can't adequately express to you how thankful to God I am that 17 years ago I began this journey with you. You are simply wonderful. In every way. You make me laugh. You make me feel safe. You love me well. You love our boys well. Happy "Beginnings" Anniversary! We've only just begun to live the life God has called us to. I am so thankful that you are the person I will share it with. Thank you for being you...I love you always.

(Picture is from our 13th Anniversary, June 2008 - not 17 years ago. Picture from back then would have involved bigger hair and big glasses. Not so pretty!)