For my husband....

As we were sitting in church last Sunday listening to the scripture readings, this one nearly brought me to tears:


"Beloved, let us love one another,because love is of God;everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.In this way the love of God was revealed to us:God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.In this is love:not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins." 1 John 4:7-10


All I could think about was the love I have for my husband. As I was nearing thirty moving into my late twenties, I had pretty much given up hope on finding my soul mate, the one I would share the rest of my life with. All I had wanted all my life was to be a wife and mother, but it just wasn't happening. I had had my heart terribly broken just a few years before and thought my one chance had been given to me.


But God had other plans. A girl at work kept encouraging me to join a popular "Internet social network," and I finally did. This allowed me to re-connect with people from my past, and was a fun way to keep in touch with my current friends. However, it also allowed me to "meet" new people. This one guy kept messaging me, and I was very hesitant at first to even acknowledge him. He finally gave up for a little while, but then slowly crept back. I distinctly remember the one message that kind of "ignited" my interest in him; I had posted a new picture of myself that had been taken just a day earlier in front of the Christmas tree at my mom and dad's house. His message simply said, "You look beautiful in your new picture." Now, for the people who know me, know that I have self-esteem issues with my physical looks. I know I'm not the prettiest girl, but I feel that on certain days I do have "pretty days." For someone to tell me I was beautiful, and not just pretty or nice-looking, basically just melted my heart. No one other than my family had EVER used that word to describe me!


So I talked to my mom about him for the first time. I remember saying something to the effect that "he can't be that bad (meaning harmful) if he's a cop police officer, right?" And I decided for the first time to respond to his messages. And from there the rest is history! We had many, many deep conversations via messaging on this "Internet social network." I wish we both still had those original accounts because I would love to re-read them! Our messaging turned into long, deep phone conversations, and from there moved onto in-person conversations.


I could not believe my eyes when I walked into The (old) Cottage to meet Brian. I had most certainly seen his pictures on the computer, but he was by far the most handsome guy I have ever laid eyes on. He was (and still is!) bald - with a freshly shaven head and face - and had the most amazing blue eyes. I absolutely loved his arms when he took his black leather jacket off; they were also freshly shaven and oh so muscular! Oh yeah, and the conversation was GREAT! We talked for at least two hours, possibly more. It just seems that time stood still that day. And when it was time for this first, semi-blind date to end, I was so freaking nervous. Nervous that he would want me to kiss him, which I don't like to do on the first date, and even more nervous that he would never call me again. But I didn't have to worry about either of those - he was a perfect gentleman and just requested a nice hug and the phone call was not far away!


So, in short finally, we have had a great time together. We first talked on the computer in late December 2006, talked on the phone since January 2007, met in late January or early February 2007, got engaged in the Summer of 2007, and married on September 16, 2007. While we have had a wonderful and amazing engagement and marriage, it has not been devoid of some bumps, two specific ones that still painfully stand out in my mind. But we've made it and we will continue to make it for as long as God wants us to be His servants here on Earth. I am proud to say that Brian and I have a strong faith that is the background to our marriage. I LOVE going to church with Brian on Sunday evenings....our little tradition that has evolved.


And this leads me into my message about God's message I posted. I would like to say I knew and loved God before I met Brian, but thinking back I don't know. Thinking back I wonder....did I really know Him? Because, as the scripture says, "everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.Whoever is without love does not know God for God is love." But I know him now and it is because of Brian. This true love between us enables my relationship with God to be full and complete. And I would like to thank you, Brian, my husband for that. My life is complete in ALL aspects because of you. You are a true man of God, my wonderful husband, an amazing father to Mary Claire and Taylor, a great police officer, and an upstanding citizen in this crazy world. Remember that I will always be here standing next to you on our journey together. These three little words just sum it all up......I love you.