My "When You Least Expect It" Love Story

As the saying goes "it always happens when you are least expecting it." That's the truth.

I was coming out of a tough relationship while also going into a huge life transition. I was focused on going into this new life transition with an open and welcoming attitude.

New season and a New me I would say to myself.

The first semester of college, DONE. Life was great!

Second semester, IM READY!

While that may not be exciting for some college students. . . If you knew me in high school, let's just say I've come a long way. I was actually in classes in college, not in-school suspension.

Some say I was the "nerd" in college. Front row girl, the one who asks 100+ questions, tries to get extra credit. Yep, that was me.

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On the first day of English class I did my usual checklist: Bookbag, all the books, notebook, pencils, highlighters, calendar, a binder with the syllabus, get there 15 min early and sit in the very front row.

However, I learned that some people don't have the same mentality as me as I watched a guy arrive 10 minutes late for the class, glance for rooms in the back to see none but a full open row of seats in the front. . . . Except for one which was the one I was sitting in.

This class loved group projects of two (of course). So conveniently the guy next to me and I would work on the projects together. This guy is so shy I'd say to myself. While we were working on the in-class projects, I'd see him glance at me. . . you know that little you're cute but I don't want to tell you type. A couple of months into the class, after many glances and little smiles he asked if he could take me out on a date. "Sure!" I said.

We went on the date and he dropped me back at home.

My roommate was so excited to hear about the date she couldn't even wait until I was inside the apartment before she blurted, "sooooo?" I said "Nah. He's too quiet. I wanted to keep it simple "He doesn't really talk. And seems a little boring. I think we're better as friends."

My mom called me the next day with the same excitement, "sooo? How was it?"

"No mom." I chuckled. "Just don't think it would work. He is so quiet and I'm way older than him."

Sometimes reminiscing some of the things I said is so funny. . . We all come up with some of the funniest excuses. At least we think they are good. Me saying, I am "way older" because this guy was 6 months younger than me.

The next time I saw the guy I told him I just didn't think it was going to work and we were better off as friends. instead of leaving it at that. . . I told him there are a lot of things he likes to do that I don't. I gave him the list.

I don't like to text. Talk on the phone. Watch movies. I mean you name it, and I said Nah, don't like it.

More excuses.

He made a point to want to stay friends. He didn't change or act differently towards me even though I hardcore shut him down. So we continued to stay friends through the rest of the semester realizing we had not only one, but two classes together. We became good friends the rest of the semester and into the summer.

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The Moment That Changed Everything

Summer of '15

The same guy asked me out to the lake with him and a couple of his friends. I was confused as he had never talked much about things he enjoyed doing. In my mind, I believed he was a guy that sits around at home, and doesn't really get out. (I know. . . That's what I get for assuming).

Slightly hesitant I said yes and decided to bring another friend with me so it wouldn't feel like a date.

We met him out on the lake and he picked us up from the dock.

We had a great time! We cruised around the lake for an hour or so and then the guy decided he would wakeboard. . . wakeboard? I told myself. He can wakeboard? Who is this guy?

This is the moment that changed everything . . .

I was amazed. I knew this guy for how almost a year and had no idea he loved adventure, the lake, and outdoor sports? I thought he was quiet and boring? Was I wrong about him?

We officially started dating In August of 2015!

Engaged December 2018!

Married May 2020!

Our story wasn't perfect. It was during a season that I was broken and starting to recover. A season when I felt lost and was trying to get on my feet again. But, our story was in God's perfect timing. God knew what I needed the most. A friend that I could count on. A friend that I could lean on. A friend that even with 1000+ excuses wouldn't just leave, but stay. Now that friend is not only my best friend but my Husband for the rest of my life.

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I love our Love Story because it reminds me so much of how Jesus loves us.

Similar to how our relationship began is how Jesus pursues us. He invites us to go out with him, and learn about Him and who He is. During that time if we don't know Him very well, we get creative and come up with 1000+ excuses. We are too busy. Too much to do. Don't have time. . . We give Him the list. . . the list of all the reasons we can't spend time with Him or get to know Him.

Other times when we don't know Him, we see him as a person that is quiet and boring. He sits in heaven and watches us. He applauds the good and shakes His head at the bad.

But, oh how that is so not true.

He continues to pursue us even with our 1000+ excuses. He never gives up until we have a breaking point and we realize we can no longer go on without His help or we realize all He has done for us and cannot believe how we could have missed that He was in the works of the whole thing the entire time.

It's in that moment that we see everything differently and our life is transformed!

He isn't golf clapping on the side when we succeed, not at all. He is in the front row with popcorn ecstatically jumping at our successes that the popcorn is flying everywhere!! He is telling everyone how proud He is!

And when we mess up? He isn't standing back shaking His head in disappointment, not at all. He is crying with us in our hurts. He is healing the brokenhearted and bandaging our wounds (Psalm 147:3).

Whatever season you are in . . . Whether that is in the making 1000+ excuses, at your breaking point, or connecting all the dots. He's there and He isn't going anywhere. He won't leave you or forget about you. He is pursuing you until that moment when you see Him for who He is.

A father that loves you so much that His only son died for you. His only son died so that you can have eternal life with him. John 3:16

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I pray this week that we put aside the excuses and take to listen to His voice, read His word, sing to Him, or Pray to Him. I pray that whether you are at a breaking point in your life or connecting the dots you use these moments to build your relationship with the Lord. That each prayer or verse you read, and every song you sing are building blocks in your relationship with Him.