This Wednesday, August 6th, Todd and I will be married 20 years.

On my other blog here, I wrote about being married 20 years.  So for this post, I thought I'd write about our humble beginning.

Around September 1986, a friend of mine suggested I start praying for my future husband.  Around that same time, my husband-to-be (whom I had not met yet) became a Christian.

In 1987, I walked into the young adult's group at church and found a seat near the back.  During the visitor greeting time, a handsome blond young man stood up and said his name.  I didn't hear him but I saw him.  Later, when I found a seat with a friend for the church service, wouldn't you know it - this same young man was sitting in the pew in front of me.  We shook hands during greeting time.  Weeks later, I was spending time with a friend and we (being girls and all) started talking about the guys in our church group.  To my surprise, I said that I thought "Todd" (by now I knew his name) was nice.  I was on a committee in our group and my friend was in charge - at a committee meeting, she suggested we ask Todd to be on the committee.  She did and the committee was supposed to meet after church at a local Togo's (sandwich shop in Long Beach, CA).  Todd came up to me and asked if he could drive me to the meeting.  I agreed.  We were the only people who showed up.  It was a divine appointment, no doubt.  We talked for a long time and he took me home, then asked me out for the following weekend.  "I'll have to check my calender", I (too honestly) said.  But, yes, I could go out with him. 

Now, in the weeks before all this, I had mentioned at work to some coworkers that I wanted to marry a carpenter, like Jesus was.  I thought it was an honest occupation.  Guess what - Todd was a cabinet builder (I found this out at the sandwich shop).  Then, on the Friday prior to our first date, Todd sent 3 roses to work.  I told the same coworkers that I was going to marry this guy.  They were skeptical.

On the morning of our first date, Todd was late.  He showed up in beachwear, saying he had been surfing and lost track of time.  All was forgiven - I have a soft spot for surfers.  He went home and changed and returned.  We went to the Los Angeles County Fair (a first ever for me), watched the horse races, ate corn dogs and lemonade.  Didn't want the date to end, so we went back to his house and I met his Mom.  Then we went out to dinner.  I don't remember more than that - anything to add, Todd?

Fast-forward 5 weeks later.  Since I lived with 2 very social roommates, Todd and I often took walks for time alone.  One night, we were sitting on the brick fence outside of the AAA Autoclub office about a block down from my apartment.  Todd asked, "Will you marry me?"  In my infinite wisdom, I asked, "Why are you asking me now?"  He simply said, "Because I love you and want you to be my wife".  I couldn't think of a reason not to, so I said, "Yes."  That was it. 

Our marriage has survived this long.  Can't say the same for the AAA office.

Since then, we've experienced me starting and running my own typesetting business in CA for 2 years.  The big move to OR.  Raising llamas.  Todd starting and running his own cabinet business for 13+ years.  3 babies.  Todd's mom moving in across the street (it was monumental, let me tell you).  Another move into town.  My middle son's cleft lip surgery.  Todd's melanoma surgeries and his heart surgery last December.  Todd going back to school to become a nurse.

When you think back over 20 years, so many things flood in.  I've known him nearly half my life.  The better half of my life.  He is my better half - my dad used to call my mom that and I now know what he meant.  Todd taught me how to cook.  He's there with a hug when I need it.  He makes me feel young and pretty, even though age is creeping in.  He encourages me to better myself, to write more, to make a lot of money so he can retire (he's kidding, I think.)  Todd fills the gaps in who I am - I can't say it more plainly.  God gave me a man who is strong when I can't be.  Who lifts me up when I fall.  You know what I mean.

Please pray that the Lord will bless us with many, many more anniversaries.  I love this guy.  For better or worse.  We've already experienced the "sickness and health, richer and poorer".  We've had it all.  The vows you take really do say it like it is.

Happy 20th Todd!  Thanks for the journey.  What I would have missed if I had said no.

Love, Kate