Half My Life

I met my future husband when I was 17 years old, during my freshman year of college. What a dramatic pinpoint in the chart of my life. There's before, and there's after. No comparison. We were vaguely connected by both singing in Christian a capella groups at different New England Universities. For a few months, that's all it was, along with some dreamy thoughts on my part. Then we met again in person (again in a large group) three months after the initial contact. This time I made sure to get his e-mail address. I wrote him while he was still on his way driving back to his school. Then it was getting to know each other by email for another 10 months, with a couple of visual sightings.

Then he asked me to be his girl. Oh delight of delights! My uncertainty as to his thoughts toward me was dramatically and gleefully reduced. We dated for 13 months.

Then he asked me to become his wife. Oh, beyond my wildest hopes! Really? YES!!!!! By this time I was 19 and had already accelerated by one semester so as to finish my degree earlier, in provision for this wished-for eventuality. He wouldn't marry me until I graduated. Smart man. We were engaged for 9 months.

Then he promised to be my husband until death parts us. In front of a whole lot of important witnesses. And I pledged the same (at age 20). And the adventure, the dance, the labor of love in marriage began. There is no option in our minds but to walk on together through the yucky days and the gorgeous days, to apologize again and again and try to do better next time. To be faithful in mind, spirit and body no matter what. This is it. We made our choice with eyes wide open, with counsel and prayer and research. Now we are walking in that choice and finding God blessing it right, left, under, over, beside and through it.

Anyway, I'm really writing to say I'll be 34 this year, and since I met David when I was 17, that makes half my life God was preparing me for him, and half my life I've been getting to know him. I find that intriguing and exciting. Because I feel like I've known him forever and always been with him. I'm looking forward to all the coming years, as the proportions begin to reflect my impressions more accurately.

P.S. Listened again to Rebecca St. James' "Wait for Me" this morning. I love that song. It's worth waiting for the one. Or, as Rebecca stresses, starting afresh to wait, if one hasn't been thus far. God's a merciful God of second chances.

Comments

[Angie]

this is so beautiful! Just one of the reasons you inspired me to try this blogging thing. And you've been a busy blogger these last 2 days :-) I must also say how cool it was that Jason wrote to Playmobil all on his own! What a great citizen :-)

[Lori Bailey]

Katherine,

How funny - Brian and I hit that same mark with those same ages last year! Though, for us, we were in our junior year of high school when we were 17. We also got engaged at 19 and married after graduating college, but that was 22 for me and 21 for him. Here's a shocking thought - our kids are closer to to those ages now than we are!

Blessings on 17 wonderful years!

[Martin LaBar]

Keep committed to each other!

I've been married about 58% of my life, thank God.

[Willow]

I so remember the bliss of your falling in love with your wonderful David. I thought to myself, "She has found what Patricia (your Mom)found, almost at the same age." I love God's sense of humor. He named him David just to give you a hint.

Love,
Aunt Willow

[Cindy]

Just saw your guy yesterday at the Vineyard here in San Jose. I sure miss seeing you both on Sunday mornin's.
Love ya

[Patricia Taylor]

Oh happy day that you met that man, whom I love so completely, yet differently from the way you love him. I love him as a son-in-love-with-my-daughter, yet also as a friend and playmate. We cook souflees together, sometimes ski and hike, talk and travel, and often drink wine/champagne, eat delicious food and cook. He is the father of two of my six grand (and I mean GRAND!) children, and the man who makes your heart sing and your eyes dance. What more could a mother want?!
Mom