Engagement Reflections

With our two year anniversary right around the corner, my mind traces back to the events that took place during that time, two years back. Starting with our first night together, as an engaged couple, back in January of 2014.

As I look at the first picture that we ever took together that evening, various thoughts run through my mind. 

We look so much younger back then compared to now. I guess that two years really does make a difference.

Why did I ever wear that outfit I ask myself? I should have worn a shorter skirt and not so many layers. That first night with Nate, which included meeting his family, did not set itself up to be a cool evening. I remember being quite warm most of the night.

When Nate first arrived at my house that evening, he climbed out of his vehicle with two beautiful bouquets of roses. I was discreetly peering out of the kitchen window, intending to stay right where I was. One of my sister-in-laws, also peeking out, said, "Oh, how sweet of him!" I nonchalantly agreed.

My mom instructed me to go open the door and welcome him and his parents inside. I had been counting on my dad to be the door-greeter that evening, but unfortunate for me, it seemed that he had disappeared at that very crucial moment. Never had I been so anxious when it came to opening the front door, but I must have survived.

This all seems a bit silly as I fast forward to today. The filters have progressively started to wane, as they do for most married couples. By now, we have seen many facets of one another. Our negative and positive qualities have come to the surface. Nate has accepted me for who I am, and I try to do the same.

If I could write a letter to the girl that I was two years ago, I think I would be a bit hard on her. I would tell her to simply be herself and not go on creating false actions or appearances. I would encourage her to not be quite so serious during her engagement but to lighten up a bit. I would explain to her that sometimes love comes softly and not quickly, and I would conclude by writing how blessed she is that God chose her to be the wife and help mate of such a wonderful, God-fearing man. A man that she will fall more in love with each and every day.

I apologize if this post seems a bit sappy, and for your warning, there may be some similar ones to follow. I understand that as a young single guy or girl, it may not always be easy to hear or watch the details of love unfold in the lives of your friends or family. I have a heart for the individuals still waiting for their own love story to come about, and I hope you know that the Lord may very well be preparing that perfect person for you right now, even if it does not happen for a while. God's timing is so different and personal for each of us. He looks at our personality, circumstances, ability to trust, ect. and orchestrates his perfect timing. I want to be that married friend that single girls can comfortably come talk too. In no way did I do anything perfect when it came to seeking God's will for marriage in my life. God blessed me, but that was only after I had made many mistakes and sought his forgiveness. I hope to address more on the topic of "singleness" when the time is right, not because I am qualified to, but more out of conviction.

I do not know if I meant to jump on this bandwagon or not, but what is written is written.

Please join me as I reminisce, during the next week or so, of the events that took place back when God brought Nate into my life.