We’ve been in New Jersey this week. I spoke to two women’s groups in the Garden State.

This morning, we had just boarded a flight back to our home in Vancouver, Washington. Just before take off on our flight to PDX, the captain’s voice came over the intercom, telling us there was a problem with a part and we’d have to return to the terminal. The airbus we were on needed a new stabilizer (or some part, I don’t remember the name). We were told to stay in our seats or we were free to stretch outside the plane at the gate. After an hour or so, we found we wouldn’t be flying on this airplane and that we would need to make arrangements to re-book our flight. Eventually, we were booked on another airline and another time. Instead of arriving home at 2:30 in the afternoon, we would be flying to Portland via Minneapolis, with a five hour layover! Such is travel. An inconvenience, but if that airplane needed a stabilizer or whatever part that needed to make the flight safe and steady, I’m glad we would be on another airplane—in spite of the delay.

Here we are in Minneapolis….

Some people think Friday the 13th is an unlucky day but for me, that isn’t true. You see, exactly six years ago, on Friday, September 13, 2013, my husband Jim, invited me to be his wife. 

I’m going to recount that special morning to you. If you’ve read my second book https://redemption-press.com/shop/beyond-second-chances-heartbreak-to-joy/or heard my talk, it may sound familiar to you. But it’s such a good story I have to tell it again on this Friday the 13th.

Six years ago today…..

We were headed south. Jim invited me to spend the weekend in Ashland and take in a couple of Shakespeare plays. He assured me we’d have separate rooms for the weekend, and thought the time away would be good to really get to know each other. Little did I know he had other major plans before the weekend would begin.

“Have you ever been to the Grotto?” He asked. “I thought we’d stop and see it.”

“I haven’t, I admitted, “I’d love to see it.”

The sun was hidden behind clouds and the morning was cool. We strolled along a quiet pathway in the dim light. Green ferns flourished in the rocky gardens. The high windows of the cathedral looked mysterious in the the soft light. As we strolled along, hand in hand, Jim told me he liked to come here and pray. Soon a larger than life statue of Jesus carrying the cross loomed into view. “This is called the Christus Statue. Let’s stop here for a moment,” he paused. “Turn this way, so I can see your face while also looking at the face of Jesus.”

I turned as he asked and he knelt, facing me. My heart quickened as I began to realize what his intentions were. What will I say?

“I just want to ask in front of this statue of Jesus, the One who guides me in everything I do.” He took my hand. “Shirley Quiring Rudberg Graybill, will you marry me?” In his left hand, hand, he held a small box.”

Without any hesitation, I said, “Yes!” 

“You will?” 

“Yes!” Jim immediately picked me up and whirled me around. We laughed together joyfully. He carefully took the ring out of the box and placed it on my finger. A beautiful princess cut, one carot diamond flanked by a ruby on each side with a sprinkling of tiny diamonds alongside the rubies. 

“I love it!” I declared.

“I thought you’d like the rubies since you like red so much,” he said.

We continued on our drive and enjoyed the time together in Ashland, talking non-stop along the five hour drive. There’s much more I can tell you about that day. How we enjoyed watching “My Fair Lady” on the stage. Enjoyed the hot afternoon with lunch along the river. Our drive to the top of Mt. Ashland.  We set the date for our wedding.

Since that wonderful day on Friday the 13th in September, we celebrate the fact that we met. E-Harmony provided the place to meet, but we believe God was the original matchmaker.

September 13, 2019

Thank you for joining me in reminiscing that wonderful day. I’m so  glad I said yes that early fall day six years ago. I pray for many more years together, but I know I can trust the One who numbers my days and Jim’s days too. 

Since we married, we’ve been on trips to many places in our beautiful country, and around the world. We plan to continue to travel and enjoy life as long as we are able. We enjoy sharing our families with each other, loving and wanting to serve the same God, loving each other even more and more as each day passes. We’re together when flights don’t pan out the way we planned.

It is good….

Most nights when we drop off to sleep, Jim often says, “Do you know how much I love you and enjoy my life with you?”

I sleepily respond, “I love it too—and you!” 

And off to dreamland we go.