Sunday, January 10

The Seed Grew

Continued from previous post...

That week, he saw me passing the lunch line and asked if I could do lunch with him. That was fine with me and so I was prepared to get in line and then he asked me if Chili's was good for me. I was completely caught off guard, but was so excited. I wasn't sure though, was this just friends or was it a date? It took me quite a while to finally ask him (after we got married), he had been hoping it was a date too. I told him I had to go back to my room and get ready. On my way there, I called my mom.

My feelings were extatic! I couldn't believe that this man, whom I'd been thinking about over Christmas break, wanted to do something outside of school with me! As I talked to my mom, I told her that I was all fluttery and couldn't stop smiling. I was so thrilled! She was excited for me too and wanted to hear all about it after I got back.

Chili's was nice. We had a great time. The one thing I remembered most was what a gentleman he was, opening doors and making sure I was taken care of. As we got our meals, he proceeded to pray. It touched my heart. I don't remember what we ate, just that it was absolutely wonderful! That day was the beginning of several more days spent together, getting to know one another. We sat next to each other during chapel occassionally, had lunch when we could and tried to find each other during free times we each had. Our friendship was growing so special to me.

A few weeks later, another friend of mine had to take me home for some medical tests. During this drive, this friend of ours tried so hard to convince me that Jeff was head over heals for me! I wouldn't believe it, I thought he was just being friendly, I didn't think he liked me in that way. Then this friend told me about some things I didn't know. He told me that Jeff wasn't happy that he was the one taking me home, Jeff would try to get out of class before he would just so he would be sure to have the seat next to me at chapel. There were a couple other things too, though I don't remember them all. He finally convinced me to call Jeff as soon as we arrived at my parents house. When I called him, I heard a concern in his voice I wasn't expecting. I was, again, taken off guard by this man. That weekend, I took some time to contemplate what was going on.

When I got back to OC, Jeff wanted to take me to WalMart for something (once again, memory has left me here). He was so sweet! I had to be on crutches for a few days and he helped me with so many things.

Somehow I won some tickets to the nearest mini golf and game place. I asked Jeff to go with me. I suppose this was our first offical date. I'm pretty sure it was WPA week at OC. I remember that it was because I was so glad that during the week I was supposed to pay, I didn't have to pay for this one, cuz I had the free tickets! How silly was that. Poor college kids, right!? Ha! Anyway, we went and had a great time. We were the only people there on the golf side. It was the middle of February!!!! I decided to take him on a date to mini golf in February, in Oklahoma! Maybe in Phoenix, but not Oklahoma!!! It was so fun though. We were on at least the 4th hole when Jeff was saying something to me. I couldn't understand him so I went over to where he was and asked him to repeat. When he looked up at me, our faces were inches from each other. As I think back to it, it seems slow motion. He looked at me, I remember his eyes, beautiful! He just stared. I waited and then said, "What was it you were saying?" Silence. Seconds (seemed like a while) of silence, then he stuttered and said, "uh, I guess I was just distracted."
Okay, at this moment, in a movie, the guy would have grabbed the girl and kissed her, or the girl would have leaned in for a kiss. But no. Not me. I had no clue, I was so oblivious (still oblivious as to how much he liked me) and turned around and bounced back to my spot, saying, "Okay!" That was it, our supposed to be first kiss! But the later times were all worth it, and so was the real first kiss.

Oh, you might be thinking this was for Valentine's Day, but it wasn't. As I think about it now, I'm pretty sure this date was more toward the end of February. I was hoping he'd ask me out for that night, but instead he went off to Tulsa to meet up with his brother and sister at a workshop up there. As I found out later, he told them both that he was pretty sure he'd found the girl he wanted to marry. His sister questioned him and wondered if this really could be. As a great big sister should do, she told him to be careful. She is a wonderful woman!

So, after our little date at the mini-golf, we began spending more and more time together. The night that defined it all, when we finally called ourselves a couple is one I'll never forget. But, that's a story for next time!

How this Clover Began

It's 2010. What a year! I'm turning 30 and about to celebrate my 10th anniversary with my husband. This is so exciting! It has been an amazing journey with him.

I remember the first time I met him (well, this is actually debatable - he says we met before this but I don't remember what he does). That's funny. But the first time I'm remembering was in a caffeteria. We were both freshman, about to begin our first year at college. Both of our parents had brought us to school and his had gone on home. One Sunday morning, my parents and I were eating breakfast just before going to worship. A friend of mine was there with us and Jeff walked in. It turned out that he was my friend's roommate. When Jeff walked in, we called him over to sit with us and that is the beginning of our story. We found out through conversations at that table that our mothers were very good friends in high-school.

The following week, we spent quite an amount of time getting to know one another and developing a good friendship. Day after day I looked forward to seeing him and hanging out in the computer rooms together with him. We already had a great past through our mothers and I was hoping that we might have a great future together, be it friendly or otherwise.
Fairly soon, our schedules began going in different directions and our groups of friends were in different zones as well. For most of the semester, we didn't really see each other.
Christmas break came and everyone went home. During those three weeks, my thoughts went back to this young man over and over again. I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to see him. I had to find him.
The first day back at chapel I was talking with some friends and then I heard my name. I looked up and my heart jumped. I saw him. He had seen me from across the auditorium and yelled out my name. He ran over to me and gave me the biggest hug I had ever had, I can still feel the flutters in my heart today that I felt then. It was amazing. Each day got better. I had no idea what was about to come.

Monday, January 4

Settling In

Good afternoon dear friends!

We are settling in quite nicely. Rooms are coming along great, Christmas went up right away for the season, now it is nearly all packed up again, snowmen tucked away nicely in the attic. I've been unpacking the picture boxes in the guest room and now I'm progressing toward trying to figure out where everything is going to go. Our loft area has turned out awesome! It is the play, TV, office, craft, and school room, oh, and the wrestling/racing place too. It sure is fun! The living room is totally musical. We've got our piano and dulcimers placed and now we're considering rack displays for the guitar and fiddle. The kitchen is so nice and very functional. It's the best one I've ever had!
We have just about completed Adie's room. Her room is done in horses. It sure has turned out adorable! She likes the colors brown, red, orange, and yellow, and pink too! So, we've incorporated the brown, red, and pink (from before).
The boys' room is going to be just what most boys want, sports! I'm thinking we will probably see college posters up on the wall someday and lots of balls, trophies, medals, etc. We're going to try and make it look cool.
Now as for the master bedroom, I'm just trying to get the rest of the house done! I'll be surprised if I am ever able to get something done in there. One day I want to paint our dresser and chest. They are old and funky looking. I still haven't figured out what I like best for the bedding. Hmmm...any ideas would be fun!

Well, I finally found the cable for the camera and now I'm going to go clean the house and take some pictures to share! (No worries, sis. I'll work as fast as I can. I've got so much to catch up on , all the way since the balloon fiesta!)