It was fun to go through old pictures and reminisce about our dating days and our times at Skyview Ranch. I don't know how I'll be able to put it all into words, but here's a little of what happened:It all started in the summer of 1999 when we met for the first time. We enjoyed a summer of serving the Lord on support staff at Skyview Ranch. Seth on grounds (they affectionately called themselves grithogs) and me in the popshop. We got to be good friends as we served together. We had a great staff that summer and enjoyed many adventures together on the weekends. It was great to get to know Seth in a group setting. This picture is from one of our weekend adventures. We were coming back from somewhere (probably getting ice cream from the Grocery Bag) and because of a storm there was a tree in the road. We had to find another way back to camp, but eventually found our way. Then we went back and took pictures with the tree...fun times!
After that summer, we were both feeling attracted to each other, but the sad thing was it was time to go home...we would be three hours away from each other. We sent lots of emails and had an occasional conversation on the phone. Teri told Seth that if he asked me out, I was sure to say "yes".
So...in December, he came for a weekend to visit with me and my family. The boy was so nervous he couldn't eat a thing. We went out for coffee during his visit, he nervously asked me to be his girlfriend, and I nervously told him I didn't think it was the right time. I was very nervous about the long distance relationship and just didn't think it was the right time.
Here's Seth with my little brother during his stay:
Here's Seth with my little brother during his stay:
We still emailed lots and pursued a friendship...one thing that I really appreciated about him.
We worked together again that following summer. This time, we were both counselors. Still, our friendship continued to grow. By the end of the summer, I knew that he was the one. So it took me a lot longer to realize it, but once I did..I was sure. The first weekend after the last week of campers went home, he asked me to come home and meet his family. I agreed. On the car ride there, he handed me a note that he had written on a scrap piece of paper. It read:
Will you be my girlfriend? Check
Yes
or
No.
Again, I agreed...and so it all began. :)
I think that we went back to camp to work band camp, then it was back to reality. Three. hours. apart. The distance was hard, but it was good. I got my first cell phone and we spent lots of long hours on the phone. We really got to know each other well through phone calls and emails. I remember running to the computer lab on campus in between classes to see if he had emailed. We would get to see each other about once a month. I'm sure it was less at the beginning and more at the end. Our times together were precious, because they were few.
Here's a picture from one of the weekend trips that I made to Cedarville to visit.
We served at Skyview for two more summers. In 2001 we were both counselors. It was different being there as a dating couple. We worked hard to focus on the campers and our ministry during the week and enjoyed time together on the weekend. Again, we spent lots of time in groups with our other friends...which as so good. Here are some weekend pictures from that summer:
cookouts on the football field:
weekend trips to friends houses...it always felt good to get dressed up for church on Sunday...but I'm still not sure why I was wearing those shoes with that outfit!?
and a trip to the rodeo in Millersburg
We were engaged on March 15, 2002. (Maybe someday I'll post our engagement story...that would take a whole new blog post!)
In 2002...Seth continued to serve on the counseling staff and I moved on to help with the program as program assistant. It was very different being engaged and serving on staff. Again, we did our best to focus on the campers and our ministry at the ranch...but it was even harder this time. The weekends were special...we enjoyed lots of hikes at the Ranch. We talked about our weeks in ministry, the wedding, and dreaming about spending our lives together....
...to be continued....
The challenge this week is to think back to our dating days, and how our relationship was then. One thing that I mentioned that we did a very good job of was talking. Don't get me wrong, we talk lots now, but then it was more for the purpose of getting to know each other. We asked lots of questions and wanted to find out what made the other tick. I want to spend time away from the distractions of life just getting to know my dear husband better. What are some of his new likes and dislikes? What can I do to make him happy or to bless him?
We also worked hard to impress each other, to surprise one another, and do special things for one another. With a busy little toddler, we find it harder to make time for each other. We have been trying to get out for a date night at least once a month...but have missed a few here and there. I want to continue to make this a priority...spending time with my husband and working hard to impress him and show him my love just like I did back then.
I thank God for blessing me with a godly man...and for the wonderful marriage that we have. Looking forward to many more wonderful years together!
Posts
