Meeting the man that I was to marry on the first day of my first job in Sarasota Florida was not what I was expecting. I was born in Sarasota Florida, but my parents moved to Dallas Texas when I was six weeks old. I lived there most of my life and then moved around a little. When I was 21, my mother took a job offer in Sarasota and gave me an option (I was living with her at the time) of whether I wanted to move or not. I decided, why not? I interviewed and got a job with Barnett Bank. I moved to Sarasota on June 1, 1996 and started my job on June 3, 1996.
As I was getting settled in at the bank that Monday morning, in through the door came, unbeknownst to me at the time, my future husband. I remember what he was wearing…bright green pants and a tie with flowers on it. My first impression was simply, hmmm, I wonder what his story is? He had been burned in a fire when he was a child and still carries the scars from that accident. I was intrigued and wanted to get to know him because I was curious about what had happened to him. His first words were a tease to me because I was in ”his window”. Thinking back, I think that was his way of flirting with me! We talked off and on at work for the next couple of weeks and upon finding out that we were the same age, I asked him what people our age do in Sarasota. Well, he thought I was asking him out and basically ”set up” our first date. This was to happen on June 28, 1996.
The morning of our first date, I woke up sick. I called him to cancel, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He offered to come over with soup and medicine to keep me company. When he showed up, we put in a movie but didn’t watch it. We talked until about 1:00 a.m. and then since I was magically feeling better, we took a walk on the beach for a couple of hours. After that first date, we saw each other more and more. He used to work very late at the movie theatre. He would drive across town when he got off work and knock on my window to tell me good night. This was so romantic and sweet, I thought. We started to spend all of our free time together.
In August 1996 we went ring shopping. He wanted to know what kind of ring I wanted so he would know what to buy. We ended up purchasing a ring, but with him telling me that he would keep it until the time was right. He also wanted to surprise me. As he will discover throughout our future years of marriage, I am very hard to surprise!
In November 1996, we planned a trip to Dallas. He had never been there and wanted to see where I grew up. My mother had some business to take care of there, so she went with us. Unbeknownst to me at the time, he had the ring with him and was planning on proposing that weekend. In fact, when we were on the airplane, I said to him, “Wouldn’t it have been cool to get engaged while we were in Dallas?” He just smiled knowingly at me and I was none the wiser. He carried the ring with him in his sock everywhere we went for days waiting for the perfect time, but my mother seemed to be with us where ever we went. One perfect opportunity was missed when we decided to go on a carriage ride through downtown in the evening. It was such a beautiful night that of course my mother thought it would be fun to join us. Tim’s plan was therefore thwarted! Then, on Sunday November 10, 1996 we were at the Galleria Mall. This is a big mall in Dallas. We passed by the skating rink and I wanted to skate. He fought me and said he didn’t want to. I pleaded until he gave in. I thought it would be fun. As we were sitting amongst all the people changing into our skates, I looked over at him and he was on his knee with the ring in his hand. He said, “Will you be my wife?” I was so shocked and surprised that I couldn’t say anything for a moment because I couldn’t stop crying. I looked at him and he had this puzzled look on his face. I think he was worried; I hadn’t said anything yet. He asked, “Well.” I then realized…I didn’t answer him yet!! I said, ”Of course I will marry you!” He put the ring on my finger and then we skated over to where my mother was sitting to share the good news.
We planned the wedding for one year later and wed on November 29 1997. There is a story about this, but I will explain later! Ever since that day I am continually amazed at how wonderful married life can be. I truly believe that I married the man of my dreams and there is no one else that could fulfill the role in my life that he has. He is the best friend, best husband and the now the best father any women could ever hope to be with. And, I am the lucky one that got him! Thank you Lord for giving me the man of my dreams!
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1:4
