Fifteen and Counting

Fifteen years ago today at 3:00 PM, I said "I Do" to my hubby.  Fifteen years sounded a long ways off on that day, but here we are. 

Let me just tell you our story from the beginning.  It may sound strange, but this is exactly how it happened for the both of us.  I definitely believe that God has a certain person picked out for each of us.  And our story confirms that.

I began attending the church that we still attend in July, 1992.  My hubby was already attending this church and immediately noticed me, although I had no idea he existed until a year later!  He had been praying for a wife and told God (yes, told) exactly what he wanted in a wife, even down to the hair color (no it wasn't red!)  But as he was praying, God spoke to him about red hair!  He was okay with that.  You have to understand my hubby.  He has to have everything balanced and orderly.  Although in 15 years, that has changed due to children!  But even there, we are still balanced - two red-heads, and two brown-heads; two boys and two girls.  I've often teased him that if we were to have a fifth child, we'd have to end up having a sixth child because a fifth child would throw us off balance.  Anyway back to the story.  He knew me, and was interested, but felt he was a little old for me since he's 6 years older than me.  He calls me his spring chicken!

I had asked God to provide me with a kind, gentle, Godly husband.  God knew exactly who would be perfect for me.   I don't remember the date, but one Sunday evening after church, the young people went to eat at Don Pablo's.  He was at the other end of the table, but I'll never ever forget what happened.  As I was sitting there visiting with the others at the table, I glanced at him and God spoke to me.  He said "That's the man you're going to marry."   That took place months before we ever dated.

Our first date took place February 5th, 1994.  Our youth group was having a Valentine's Party and he invited me to go.   I was so excited but scared.  My biggest fear was to not be able to talk to him.  But I had nothing to fear.  We hit it off immediately and never ran out of things to talk about (it's still that way!).  I had so much fun that evening that I didn't realize that I'd stayed outside talking for a long time.  Now that wasn't a good thing - it was February and freezing.  I ended up with a major case of bronchitis!

My hubby found out that my birthday was coming up - February 14th.  He asked me out and we went out on our first date alone that evening.  I knew he was serious about me when he brought me my favorite perfume and a flower bouquet.  We went to Spaghetti Warehouse and waited over two hours to eat.

We dated for four weeks and on March 5th he asked me to a wedding he was invited to.  I went with him to the wedding and afterwards, we ate a quick bite and he took me over to Las Colinas.  We walked around the canal and then sat down to watch the waterfall.  He then asked me to marry him.  People, I was in shock.  I knew he was the man for me, but we'd only dated four weeks!  I don't think I'd ever recommend this to anyone!  But for us, it has worked.  We were married that same year, on November 5th.

Have we had our ups and downs?  Of course we have.  But I wouldn't trade it for anything.  My husband is a part of who I am and I love him even more than I did then.  I am looking forward to our next fifteen years.