He slid that stack of post-it notes across that big brown desk and just asked me– right out asked me for my number. No games, no made up reason why– just that he might need it “sometime.”
I scratched it down with a blue paper mate and tried to slowly slide it back, hoping not to come right out of my skin with the anticipation that he might actually use it and call me.
Nine years ago tomorrow, he used it. My phone rang with a number I did not yet know and it was him. Now that we’ve had the same last name for eight-tenths of a decade, I can definitely say– it was his nervous voice.
Facing each other at a wobbly table, we talked for an hour about music and our parents and the wonderfully wacky man we both worked for. Romaine from my salad fell into a stomach of butterflies and I stabbed at pieces of Feta with a plastic fork while stealing glances of the blue eyes that now look back at me each morning.
And if I could go back to even a few months before that day. If I could have an hour with that girl? I would tell her one thing.
Hold on. Don’t give up.
That guy you think you might never meet? He might be just around the next corner. And imperfect though you both are– you might just find yourself happy to see him every day for the next nine years. And whether snuggling his babies, or snort-laughing at his antics in Target on a Friday night– this life? It’s better than the dream and well worth the wait. Life rarely happens the way you plan. Seldom does it go the way you imagine. But sometimes, sometimes it is better. Not because you get what you want– but because you get the gift of God’s plan for you. And even when it may seem less than perfect. It is perfectly what He wants for you.
Oh, Cynthia, I loved this post. I was single until I was almost 29, and there were times when I didn’t want to wait for God to fulfill that dream to meet that one special man. We’ve been married for over 19 years now, and I’m so, SO glad I waited. I wouldn’t trade anything for the shared memories, the life we’ve walked out together, the laughter . . . and the tears. Thanks for taking me on a brief walk down my own memory lane. 🙂
I’m your FMF neighbor this week. Lucky me!
Jeanne, keep telling that story too many women in their twenties compromise because they think it is never going to happen.
Amber, I have seen that too. It makes me sad when people settle for good enough rather than waiting for God’s best. Sigh.
Hi Jeanne! Glad we’re neighbors this week! I’m grateful for your encouragement– my husband and I are only about half way to 19 years– but I would not change any of it. <3 Thank you for visiting.
Oh, Cynthia, I loved this post. I was single until I was almost 29, and there were times when I didn’t want to wait for God to fulfill that dream to meet that one special man. We’ve been married for over 19 years now, and I’m so, SO glad I waited. I wouldn’t trade anything for the shared memories, the life we’ve walked out together, the laughter . . . and the tears. Thanks for taking me on a brief walk down my own memory lane. 🙂
I’m your FMF neighbor this week. Lucky me!
Jeanne, keep telling that story too many women in their twenties compromise because they think it is never going to happen.
Amber, I have seen that too. It makes me sad when people settle for good enough rather than waiting for God’s best. Sigh.
Hi Jeanne! Glad we’re neighbors this week! I’m grateful for your encouragement– my husband and I are only about half way to 19 years– but I would not change any of it. <3 Thank you for visiting.
I adore how much you are still in love with your husband.
I adore how much you are still in love with your husband.
Love reading about your dream! I didn’t marry until I was 31, and it was hard to wait, easy to give up dreaming. My sister didn’t marry unti age 35! I see how happy she is now and thank God she didn’t give up the dream and settle for something less that God’s perfect plan. (She wanted to marry a Christian guy…)
Hi Betsy! How neat that you and your sister had that to share. Whenever life is less than perfect, I love looking back and remembering all the aa=mazing ways God has acted for His glory and my best. So glad to meet you here today.
Love reading about your dream! I didn’t marry until I was 31, and it was hard to wait, easy to give up dreaming. My sister didn’t marry unti age 35! I see how happy she is now and thank God she didn’t give up the dream and settle for something less that God’s perfect plan. (She wanted to marry a Christian guy…)
Hi Betsy! How neat that you and your sister had that to share. Whenever life is less than perfect, I love looking back and remembering all the aa=mazing ways God has acted for His glory and my best. So glad to meet you here today.
I think this is one of the sweetest post I have ever read. I was married really young (18) so I didn’t have to wait on that dream but there are other dreams that I have learned to wait for. Thanks for the reminder that God will give us the desires of our hearts when our hearts are focused on Him. And the wait will be worth it.
Thank you Amy. It’s funny — you reminded me of how all dreams are the same in that way– we have to wait for them, surrender them and be patient. 🙂 Needed that thought today friend. Glad to see you here today.
I think this is one of the sweetest post I have ever read. I was married really young (18) so I didn’t have to wait on that dream but there are other dreams that I have learned to wait for. Thanks for the reminder that God will give us the desires of our hearts when our hearts are focused on Him. And the wait will be worth it.
Thank you Amy. It’s funny — you reminded me of how all dreams are the same in that way– we have to wait for them, surrender them and be patient. 🙂 Needed that thought today friend. Glad to see you here today.
Great post – great story – great couple! Happy Anniversary
Thank you Mrs. Debbie! <3
Great post – great story – great couple! Happy Anniversary
Thank you Mrs. Debbie! <3
Yay! I love this so much and I am so glad that you are back! Happy Anniversary!
Yay! I love this so much and I am so glad that you are back! Happy Anniversary!
How sweet!
How sweet!
better than a dream and well worth the wait. oh yes friend. How lovely. I love this part of your story.
better than a dream and well worth the wait. oh yes friend. How lovely. I love this part of your story.