Where It All Began

It began with a friend at work.  She wanted me to come visit her church - to become involved.  After a lot of persuading on her part, I made the decision to attend Sunday School and Church and then go to a College and Career Chili Supper & Bible Study that night.  I thought that if I went I would have satisfied her and then would not have to attend any more.  That if I did this - I could go on living my life the way I had been.  I could not have been more wrong!  The day was Sunday, February 16, 1979.

Susan wanted me to meet a friend of hers - Mike.  She had an idea that we would get along.  The only thing was he had broken up with a long time girlfriend a while before and didn't really want to get "involved".  It is amazing what God can do in situations like this!

As Susan and I left that night, Mike and his friend Curtis walked outside.  We joked, we laughed and we made a "date" - all in fun or so I thought.  I found out that it was not a joke  that he really wanted to go out to dinner.  I wouldn't go alone - so Susan and Mike's friend went also.

Where did we go.....  Steak and Ale, probably the "fanciest place" we knew of in that day.  I couldn't go until I got off from my part time job.  Yes, I worked full time and held a part time job as well.  Was and still am a workaholic. 

Off to Steak and Ale at 9:00 at night.  We are seated, we order and what happens.............

the whole baked potato lands in my lap.

I thought the date was over before it began - but my friend Susan helped me laugh it off.

After dinner - back to Susan's parent's house we go.  We watched movies until midnight and I said I needed to go home.  Mike took me home and we sat in front of my house talking for hours....  Susan later said she didn't think Mike would ever get back to get Curtis.

After that we dated
We wished
We planned

and Mike asks me to marry him in August of 1979.

I had planned a dinner for Mike at a restaraunt he loves - Old San Francisco Steak House.  We enjoyed our dinner and went back to his parents afterwards.  While watching TV - he asked me to do him a favor.  Yes, he asked me to marry him.  I was suprised, because even though we had talked about it - I didn't know it was going to happen then.  I called him a "rat-sized king fink" - I guess I was a little rattled - and said yes!

Fast forward to February 16, 1980 - one year to the day later - we marry. 

During the last 31 years (32 if you count the year we dated) - we laugh, we cry, we make a life.  We have 2 wonderful sons - who are the joy of our lives.  We work at different places, we are involved in the community.  Most importantly - we have each other.

It has been an amazing time - and now the time belongs to our sons.  Both are marrying special women this spring.  My prayer for them is that they realize all that God has given them and that with Him, they can make it.

That my friends, is where it all began.  11,323 days shared and more to come.

Love, forever and a day