19 years ago…

19 years ago today, Jay & I had our first date.  When we had been dating 6 months, I made him a list:

Top 10 Things I Love about Jay (September 15, 1992)

10.  You let me eat your french fries when I don’t order any myself.

9.  I like the way you walk.

8.  I like the way you make me smile, especially when I have had a bad day.

7.  When you’re hot, but I’m cold, you let me be warm while you suffer and sweat.

6.  I  like your dimples.

5.  You make good spaghetti.

4.  You always put others’ feeling before your own.

3.  You leave me gushy notes on my car.

2.  You let me read children’s books out loud to you for my library science class.

1.  I love, absolutely LOVE to laugh with you.  We have so much fun together. I’m glad you have become my best friend.

Here is the first picture we had take together:

 

And now, my new Top 10 Things I Love about Jay (April 15, 2011) in  no particular order.

10.  I love watching you with Katie & Mary Margaret, letting them know that you value time with them.

9.  I love the way you say my name.

8.  I love your work ethic.

7.  I love laughing with you.

6.  I love your patience with me.  So thankful that hasn’t run out!

5.  I love our long conversations, especially late at night, or on dates.

4.  I love the way you put others before yourself.  You are such a good example of a servant.

3.  I love watching your relationship with Jesus Christ grow, change, & transform you.

2.  I love the way you smile at me.

1.  I love the fact that you authentic.  You are the same, no matter where you are.

Happy April 15th!

The weekend…

I have looked forward to this past weekend for weeks.  

 

Friday evening, Jay & I took the girls to see “Soul Surfer” about Bethany Hamilton.  Katie & Mary Margaret had agreed before we got there that they would slip out so they would miss the shark attack – they both knew the gist of the story, so no surprises there.    From the beginning of the movie, each time it showed the ocean, MM would lean over & ask me, “Do you think this is it?” And I would shake my head no, assuring her that I would tell her when it was time.   So here it comes, and I tell the girls, “OK, I think this is when you want to go…” and they did.  Fast forward about 3 minutes, they slip back in, Bethany is in the hospital bed, bandaged after surgery.  Mary Margaret sat down, looked at me & asked, “So, what did I miss?”

She cracks me up!

Then, Saturday, Jay & I had a date.  Nothing special, a little ping pong, long dinner sitting outside, great conversation, a little reminiscing.  He asked if I realized that our anniversary is this week.  Well, June 11 is our wedding anniversary so I was thrown for a minute. And then I realized, April 15 is this Friday! We had our very first date on April 15, 1992.   Questions that came up, well, with me being the Queen of Questions, these all came out of my mouth - “Looking back, do you think we got too serious too fast?” and “How soon did you know that this was it?” and “Do you remember how exciting & new it all was?” and “When did life get so busy?”  and “Did you ever dream, then, that we would have such an incredible life together?” and “Where should we go to celebrate 20 years?”  I suggested Bora Bora, but I don’t think he will go for that.   It is overwhelming to me to see the gift that God has given me, in this man.  I am so thankful that He allows to me to do life with Jay. 

And then, Sunday, in church, I heard about orphans, and how, as believers, we are called to do something about it.  Lots to process there.

Sunday night, I was so thrilled to see Natalie Grant, Brandon Heath and….MercyMe.  An incredible worship experience.  Natalie quoted this Scripture from Psalms (the Message)…

But me he caught—reached all the way
      from sky to sea; he pulled me out
   Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos,
      the void in which I was drowning.
   They hit me when I was down,
      but God stuck by me.
   He stood me up on a wide-open field;
      I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!
^20-24 God made my life complete
      when I placed all the pieces before him.

And Bart reminded me to “Love & worship the Giver, not the gifts.”

Many things to think about & process over the next few days.