Kaili posted the story of her and Rob, and challenged us to post our love stories. I posted mine last November, but thought it would be a great idea to post it again for a couple of reasons. First, I can’t link to that post because I deleted my old site. I do, however, have a backup of all of those archives, so it was easy to find. Second, I had far fewer readers a year ago and thought that my new buddies may want to hear the story.

A long time ago (7 years ago next month), in a land far, far away (Vancouver/Burnaby) lived a woman who was fast approaching the age where you had to leave College & Career and start going to Gateway.

I was 24, and living in Vancouver with Karen. We had a sweet apartment on West 12th Avenue in Vancouver. I was an articling CA student, and Karen was working as an X-Ray tech at St. Paul’s. She had gotten engaged to Travis in October, I believe, because on that October road trip to Calgary, there was much talk of her wedding, and looking at Bridal magazines.

We both attended Willingdon church (as did Travis), and a bunch of our friends. And a host of Karen’s relatives-she has a big family.

I had talked to Matthew (he was Matt back then) a few times, and thought he was a nice guy. One Sunday, I arrived at church and was looking to sit with my friends Brandon & Christina. They were nowhere to be seen, so I asked Matt if I could sit with him & his sister Jennifer.

We flirted a bit, but it was toned down on my part, as I had just met Jennifer that morning, and didn’t want to offend “the sister”. You don’t want a guy’s sister to think you’re a dork & tell him to just never mind. He asked what I was doing that afternoon. “Having a nap”, was my reply. Isn’t that what everyone does on a Sunday afternoon?

I asked him his plans for the afternoon. “I’m doing some baking”, he replied. Oh, really? I thought. A tall, good looking Dutch man who bakes. Cool, thought I. “Do you share your baking?” I so boldly asked, when Jennifer was talking to a friend. “Yes”, was his reply. But no actual invitation was forthcoming.

If you have met Matthew, you know that he is a quiet guy. And was painfully shy growing up. And as I have since learned, has a favourite time to do everything. It’s called LATER.

So I went home. Alone. And the whole drive home, “CALL HIM” was repeating over & over in my head. Now, I was a firm believer in not calling guys (unless they were buddies). But this voice kept saying “CALL HIM”. Maybe God? I think so.

I needed encouragement, so I called Jazz because I knew what she would say. I was right. “CALL HIM!” she told me. “AND tell me what happens”.

Now, he hadn’t given me his phone number. But I knew it was on a C&C bulletin. Which was in our recycling. So I dumped the bag of papers on the floor and finally found the phone number. Picture it.  Me wading through recycled paper, in order to get his number.

OK then, here goes. I called and got his answering machine. So I left a friendly message wondering if he was still willing to share his baking.

Leaving a message. Means the ball is in his court, and I had to WAIT. Worrying; did I sound like a pathetic LOSER???? Except, he called back in like 5 minutes. And told me that he just “happened” to be making LASAGNA for supper. And would I like to join him? Sure, said I, and I’ll bring a salad.

I love to cook & bake now, but at that point, my “salads” consisted of lettuce, with some dressing. That would not do, so I ran out & bought a colourful variety of vegetables. And made a pretty skookum salad.

Off I went to his place way out in New West. A good 40-minute drive. We ate, we talked, we laughed. At no point was it uncomfortable. I told him that I had gone to my work Christmas party on Friday night. His was coming up, and he asked if I’d join him. “Like, as your date?” was my smooth reply. How cool am I?

By the time I left, we had made plans for his party, to go see Toy Story 2, and to sit together for a concert my friend Riley Armstrong was putting on the upcoming Wednesday at C&C.

I got home around 11 that night to see Karen sitting up waiting for me. “So, how did it go?” she asked. “This one is different”, was my reply. Not that there had been many “ones”, but there had definitely been a few duds floating around.

My step mom Shona came to visit the next weekend. She told me I was going to marry him. “When is Karen getting married?” she asked. “June” was my reply. “You’ll be getting married in May”. Now, this woman hears from God. Often, and clearly. Who am I to argue?

He came home for Christmas, and I came up on Boxing Day. We told his family of our plans to wed. His parents had dated a lengthy six weeks before their engagement, so our 4-week stint didn’t faze them. Their advice? Better get a ring, because 5 months will go by fast.

So, we went to K-Dot and found me a ring. But I had to wait; he wanted to do it right. And do it right he did. We had a nice supper up at the ski hill, and then we went down to the lake. We got engaged on the dock at Rotary Beach.

We received a bit of static from the folks in our circle of friends and acquaintances. Karen was a true friend and just told me she was concerned with the speed at which we were going. I explained that I knew it was fast, but we “just knew” So, why wait?

We got married on May 20, 2000. It was a cloudy day, but that was good for pictures. It went off without any major problems, and I ended the day married to my sweetheart. He is an amazing man of quiet strength. I love him, respect him, and cherish him. I thank God daily, almost hourly, that I get to be his wife. I have been blessed beyond all measure.

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Me and Mine My Photography Site My Etsy Shop My Recipe Site My Review Site My Flickr site is here. You need to be a Flickr "friend" to see most of them. Add me as a friend and I'll add you! www.flickr.com This N That Over at Work It! Mom, I am discussing my husband's "ability" to have selective hearing. ⇒ Comments My brother Lance showed me this collection of dubbed-over Jesus videos.  If you only have time to watch one of them, click on #3. I have been giggling for DAYS. And some people think that Christians don't have a sense of humour. ⇒ Comments Over at Work It! Mom, I am asking what you are getting your spouse for Christmas. I don't even know what I want; how am I supposed to figure out what to get him? ⇒ Comments

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