my last first date

Seven years ago this week I received a phone call that would change my life.  A phone call from a guy I had a crush on in high school.  A guy that I used to wish would ask me out.  A guy that threw rocks at my bedroom window my freshman year. 

I listened to the message on my answering machine probably fifteen times and then called my mama and several friends before I called him back.  We talked for about an hour and made plans to go to dinner a few days later.  Little did I know that night, but that dinner would be my last first date. 

And it was the first date that I felt completely comfortable.  I ate until I was stuffed.  I laughed until I cried.  I enjoyed my company thoroughly.

Not much has changed since that first date seven years ago.  I still feel completely comfortable around this guy.  I still eat until I am stuffed when we are together.  I still laugh until I cry at his humor.  And I still thoroughly enjoy his company.

Sure, our journey has been wrought with many bumps and detours in the past seven years.  But it has been the rocky terrain that has brought us closer together and closer to our God. 

My last first date turned into a beautiful love story.  A love story written by the Creator of love.  A love story that is still being written today. 

So tonight, I want to say thank you to my hunky husband for taking me on a date seven years ago.  I waited a long time to go on a date with you and it was worth every minute of the wait.  I love you, Tory!

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you.

Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.

Your people will be my people and your God my God.

Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.

May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely,

if even death separates you and me.”

Ruth 1: 16-17