Friday, June 22, 2012

The Story of Us- Chapter 3


When school started again in the fall, I had two great roommates, several new friends from the BSU, and an activity to participate in that would shape the rest of my life. That semester started what was to be some of the greatest years of my life. I learned, I laughed, I worked, I played…I grew.
After our first ministry team meeting, I stood talking to a new friend. When our conversation was finished, there was a group of guys standing nearby talking about bad smells. One in particular told about working at a feed lot as a teenager. To this day, that is the only story in particular I remember from that conversation. It must have caught my attention to hear someone mention agriculture, since I grew up in the country and all of my friends in college were from the city.
That semester, I briefly dated someone who had become a good friend, and while our friendship was never the same afterward, it was the first relationship in my life that I didn’t regret later. I didn’t wonder what I’d seen him, or question what I’d been thinking. I knew that although he wasn’t the guy God had intended for me, he had been put there for a reason. I’ll always be grateful for that, and for the healing it brought. I’ll always believe that God used that to point me in the right direction, although I wouldn’t see just how much until later.
That year brought and grew so many great friendships. My mom had always told me that college was a special time that I really needed to experience. I realized that year that she couldn’t have been more right. That year and the next completely changed my life. I had great role models and good friends from all over the world.
When school was out in May, I went home for a few days and then came back to spend my summer working, interning and laying by the pool. It was the first summer since I’d started college that I didn’t go home for the summer. I had no idea what the implications of that decision would be.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Father's Day

Here's a peek at Dinah's weekend with her Daddy (and Mommy) for Father's Day.

There was a trip to their favorite store, Lowes. Daddy is so proud that Dinah loves it as much as he does. Every time she sees one of those blue carts for carrying material, she climbs on and says, "Daddy...ride?"

We built a side rail for Dinah's bed so she doesn't fall out. And by we, I mean Dean, of course. Dinah and I hung out and played while he did it.

We took Daddy out for Mexican food. He loved the food. Dinah loved the live music. Although, she wasn't nearly as confident when they were serenading her.

Dean and Dinah really enjoyed their time together, and Dinah was definitely a Daddy's girl all weekend.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

The Plane! The Plane!

Five years ago, on a Saturday much like today, I went on a date with this really handsome guy I’d been dating, named Dean. We drove to a small town airport, near where I grew up, and climbed aboard a small airplane. Aviation has fascinated me for a long time, and I can honestly say that I have absolutely loved it every time I’ve been on a plane. We flew over the house and land where I spent the majority of my life, my grandma’s property on the lake where I spent many a summer day, and the rest of the county and neighboring county where my childhood was lived out. As we enjoyed the view on the small plane, just us and the pilot, he asked me a question that would change my life forever.

Today, I'm his wife, the mother of his child, and the most fun friend he's ever had. I bet he's sure glad he asked that question. I bet he's even more glad I said yes. Otherwise, who would be hanging out with him while he works on a roof this morning?