Well, today is the eve of my Valentine anniversary. It’s been 17 whole years. There have been days that have flown by and days when I felt every second of those years and then some. In honor of marriage and all things love I wanted to share my little love story with you all. Hearing about others courtin’ days brings me back a bit of my own and I hope you find yourself with a little love light burning. (I’m sappy and I make no apologies)
Well, to be fair it was the modern age that brought us together. We met online. I know, I know, if I was my kid I would have smacked the tar out of me too. But I was a college student at the time and somewhat out of the parental jurisdiction. So here I was dating an older man and a terrible commitment-phobe too. Well, he persisted in his pursuit of me and I think he eventually wore me down. Romantic, right?
Through our dating years months I was forever wavering between living the single life and being free or actually letting someone have my heart. Both were equally scary to me. Both had risks and chances to take. But then there was this man. A man who let me decide when I was ready. A man that was gracious to me and never pressured me. I felt safe and cared for when he was around. I am happy to say that I took a chance on him. I tried to tell him what he was getting upfront with me but he just wouldn’t listen. I warned him.
Our first meeting was a couple of days after our first conversation. He drove 2 hours to meet me IN HIS OWN CAR. Very important detail for college students. Anyhow, I thought he was nice but a major hick. He was and still is and I love him so much for always being exactly himself. At this time in my life I was looking to the bigger brighter things that the world held and I did not like anything that reminded me of the small country town that I called home. I was going to reach those stars by golly!
So off we went on our first date. Here’s a little tip. Don’t go watch the saddest prison drama ever written that is a FULL 3 HOURS LONG on your first date. It’s pretty awkward. But we made it through. Thank goodness theaters are dark and I can sniffle pretty quietly. You try invisible crying in front of a stranger for 3 FULL HOURS! As you can see, blogging isn’t my only skill set 😉
So then we were off muddling though dating one awkward moment after another. In the midst of that he taught me how to drive on the freeway and I taught him that girls are a lot of upkeep. Basically.
After about 6 months of this nonsense we got engaged and then only 1 year and 2 weeks from the day we met we said I do. It was awesome! And I ended up in the ER. Loss of fluids. Don’t ask. But when I came to I saw my new groom had never left my side. He hauled his barfing bride in and slept by her with the possessive nature of a new groom.
We ended up moving out of Tacoma and back to my hometown to attend Community College. So much for city lights! I lasted less than 1 year as a city slicker. I just didn’t have it in me. After our first 8 months as husband and wife we had a new joy to look forward to. Our son was born the following year.
As the years rolled on and the jobs and houses changed we added two daughters to our family. Now we have a farm and animals that extend our fur baby tribe even further. As I look back through the years I can honestly say there were times I didn’t know how we would make it. Physically, financially and even as a married couple. Things just get tough sometimes. But through it all God has been good to us. Mistakes have been made and heartaches have happened and still God makes room for so much joy and blessing. Matthew, you are one of the greatest blessings that God has ever given this world. I love you.
Hennekes At Home 