Friday, February 13, 2009

Worth Waiting For...(A Valentine's re-post)


In honor of Valentine's Day, I am re-posting just a few excerpts of what I wrote way back in September of 2006...
Our Love Story.
Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!!!


"Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be married and have children. And if that wasn't enough, I was a hopeless romantic, as well. So, when my friends began to find serious relationships and pair off one by one, in their early 20's ...and yet I remained alone, I began to feel a profound sadness. Yes, I suppose I was feeling a bit left out. But it was more than that. I seemed to pine for "that certain someone" whom I had not yet met. I could almost feel that "in love" emotion, but it was attached to an invisible guy out there...somewhere.

Oh, I dated. In my 20's, I sort of bloomed late, and began dating several different guys (usually one at a time!) from my church single's group. I sometimes had "feelings" for a few of them. But still, they just weren't right, for one reason or another. I still hadn't met..."him".
People would say, "You're so pretty! I can't understand why you're not married yet!" As if the two things automatically went hand in hand.

As time went on, I began to suspect some of my friends' concerns were based on fact. Maybe I was too picky? Maybe I was just in love with love.
"

Skipping ahead here...After actually secretly responding to a dating ad that read, "Single Male- Christian"....before the days of all the dating websites...I had listened to a recording of his voice where he said a little about himself. I left my own voice message...
and then a few days later...he called.

"I remember hanging up, after we had arranged for a blind date on a Saturday night, thinking that if there turned out to be no chemistry between us in the romance department, I would really hope that at least he and I would become friends. Real friends.

The big day arrived. I was so nervous, but I was determined to play it cool. We had arranged to meet by one of the entry ways to a shop at the mall. It was a late afternoon in mid-August, 1993, but the summer skies had opened up and were letting down a torrent of pouring rain. Luckily, there was a nice shelter at the entryway while I waited. And waited.

And waited.

A young guy about 20 started chatting with me under the shelter as he waited for the rains to let up. He told me if this guy never showed up that I was waiting for, that I should go hang out with him. Flattered, I politely declined.

A half an hour or more went by...yes, I pathetically still stood there...
(Remember, this was before everyone on the planet had a cell phone!) but I just didn't believe the guy I spoke with for two hours would stand me up.

Just as I was thinking of going home, a small car inched in front of the shelter, the driver searching intently in my direction.
I knew in an instant that it was him. I went over and asked his name and when we confirmed who we were. When I looked at him, it was as if I had known him all my life. And though I had safely planned on driving in my own car to the movies, I promptly just opened his door without thinking and hopped in! I would never do this ordinarily...I don't know what came over me! (Kids, please don't do this at home!)
He told me that he had been waiting at the entrance all this time...it had been the other
entrance!
We forgot to specify which entrance- so each of us had been standing on opposite sides, thinking that maybe we had possibly been stood up! Good thing, he decided to drive around slowly, before going home...



The movie we went to see was a new "date" movie called..."Sleepless in Seattle". After wards we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and ended up talking very late into the evening. He told me a few days later that he was so nervous that night...and I could tell that he was, just a bit. But I still thought there was something incredibly special about him

Oh, and yes...though we didn't have our first kiss until the 5th date, I could tell that there was, indeed, that chemistry.

It may have not been in my timing, but God's timing was perfect. He brought me the desire of my heart. I had finally met that someone I had been waiting for. I had finally met... him."


(Don't forget to join me for Home School Open House this coming Tuesday!)
Blessings!!!

24 comments:

Brenda said...

Aw, that was beautiful. How special to find the perfect man! I should send my daughter over to read this. She's just 21 and thinks the world is passing her by in that dept. because she has committed to wait.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I remember this story--the mixed up entrance story! Happy V-Day!

Susie said...

Hi Tammy,
I remember this story when you first posted it. It's every bit as romantic now as then.
Happy Valentine's Day to both of you!
xo

Unknown said...

What a special love story. Thank you for sharing it.You both make such a great couple. Enjoy your Valentine's Day together.

Shirley said...

Thanks so much for sharing - I agree, we are kindred spirits :) Oh, I am so glad that he took that slow drive around one last time. Now, there's the beginnings of a good chick flick right there!

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Susannah said...

I remember this post. It's really fun to read again. You're such a good-looking couple!

Happy Valentine's Day, Tammy. :~D

Midlife Mom said...

So nice to read this post again! Just a lovely story and ended so nice! I love happy endings, don't you?!

Hubby and I waited for each other at two different restaurants a couple years ago. For some reason our cell phones wouldn't work in that particular area and we both were worried about each other for two hours! The restaurants were within walking distance!!

February vacation is the week the kids have off from school this time of year. They have a week at Christmas, February and April.

Mother Mayhem said...

I love this story. :o)

Dawn said...

I love this story every time I read it. It reminds me of our story - not in detail, but in intensity and desire to find God's one for us. I can't remember if I have written it in its entirety - I must do that.

Happy Valentine's Day - from LOVEland! Come over and see the latest LOVEland greeting.

Dawn said...

PS - the fact that he took you to Sleepless in Seattle says a lot about him!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet story. I know you are thankful he checked the other entrance!

I like your Valentine header!

Mountain Mama said...

I found you over at Pea's and am so glad I came for a visit.
Your story is so romantic and I can certainly see the Lord at work in it.
I pray you and hubby will have many, many blessed years together.
Happy Valentine's day.

Linda said...

What a sweet story. I thought for sure you were going to say it was the guy waiting there with you. God's plans and timing certainly are perfect.
Blessinsgs,
Linda

Linda said...

I remember reading this story Tammy. It is so well-worth reposting. It's a beautiful love story.

Susan said...

I love this story. Hope you're well.

Mary said...

Tammy,

A beautiful story and perfect for Valentine's Day. I enjoyed it.

I would be glad to contribute something for Black History Month to the Open House. Do you have anything specific in mind? If so, be sure to let me know. malward2002[at]yahoo[dot]ca

Have a wonderful week, my friend.
Blessings,
Mary

Faith said...

I love this story of you and your hubby! How awesome that the Lord was watching over you and had a perfect plan for the 2 of you! God bless you!!

gail@more than a song said...

Aww, I remember reading your sweet story! Hope y'all had a good weekend!

Momma Roar said...

Beautiful!!!

Jill said...

Love that story!

Carla said...

How lovely! What a marvelous 'love story':)

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's day.

Pamela said...

I remember reading it the first time. Just as sweet and "sigh" casting as the first time.

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

So sweet to post that especially around Vday. :)

Tammy - I am so bummed with myself. I keep forgetting to get some home school posts up. My home school group isn't happy with me either because I have all the pictures and haven't uploaded them yet. Trying to think of what I have....I have one about the "terrible teen...I beg to differ/" That may work. When do you put the link up? I am gone all day tomorrow.

Mary said...

Tammy,

My Home School post is up. I've written up a black history quiz and am giving away 7 Secrets of Highly Successful Kids. Drop over and take a look.

Blessings,
Mary