Today marks special day. The anniversary of our first date. If you’ve been reading my blog, perhaps you  know my story. But if you are new, here’s a very brief synopsis of my life before Jim.

When I was 19, my husband, Bill age 21, and I, married. We focused on our education, acquiring a house. Having children. During the first twenty years, we had a lot of growing up to do. We weren’t sure if we could make our marriage work. But after some counseling and lots of prayer, we were able to work through our problems and the final twenty of our forty years together were everything we ever wanted. We combined some of our hobbies together instead of doing them separately. We hiked together. Climbed mountains and rocks. Backpacked in the wilderness. It worked!

We were celebrating forty years of marriage, when a virus attacked Bill’s system. Together we battled this disease. I was Bill’s advocate when he couldn’t be that for himself. I prayed. I worried.  And then he was gone.

My life could be compared to those mountain and rock climbs Bill and I did  together. It was filled with high points akin to sitting atop a mountain after a strenuous climb as well as hard challenges and heartbreak. Sometimes I’ve cried out, “I can’t do this!” But loss has always been interspersed with joy.  And there has always been another mountain to conquer.

It took tears and time. It took work. Grief work. And then, after two years, I missed being married. I missed strong arms wrapped around me, making me feel small. Someone I could make meals for. Snuggles at night. Someone to love. I met a man named Blair. We married six months later, and we dreamed we’d have many years of marriage and companionship together. However,  seventeen months later, as we prepared for bed, I noticed his face, shiny with perspiration. He had a vacant look on his face. Later, at the hospital, I learned it was a brain aneurysm. Blair never regained consciousness before he died. 

I walked through the halls in the hospital and raged silently at God. Did I have to go through this again? I’ll never know the why, but I don’t need to. I was given the gift of  love again with a second chance at love. 

I mourned that loss and thought I my grief was over. After all, it was two years, the same amount of time as before, but I was wrong, and I became engaged to the wrong person. He broke it off and as I look back, I’m so thankful he did.

More than a year passed.  I learned contentment without the anxiety or need to repair my heart. I did a lot more praying. There was peace. I was reminded:

The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1 NLT).

I learned to be satisfied in my singleness.

For I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything (Philippians 4:11–12 NLT).

I hoped I’d marry again, but I was now willing to remain single if that was God’s will for me. Then, someone popped up on the matching online dating site and on September 1, we began communicating by email. Then, this new guy, Jim, asked me to join him for a cup of coffee. I accepted. We connected in so many ways and our date lasted for more than two hours. He asked me for another date. And then another. Soon we both knew we were right for each other. 

So today, we will relive that first date with a cup of coffee. Same place. Same time.

Jim often writes little notes and sets them on my computer to surprise me.

I keep those notes in a book and I treasure them. This morning, I found another note and it really sums up our story together. This is Jim’s version:

Eight years ago, I asked God for a woman to be my life-long companion whom I could cherish…..I love you more than I ever thought I could…

God may not work the same in your life as mine, but I can tell you He will be by your side—through any mountain you may need to climb. Through any valley He may lead you through.

I’m hoping my story brings a smile to your face. Hope in your heart.

Enjoy the last weekend of summer….I plan to. Along with a cup of coffee.