My Valentine

Terry and I met wen I was 19. We had mutual "mentors" and when we were introduced we knew right away that...we did not like each other. After one single conversation about some political issue we both agreed on one thing...we would be just fine if we never talked to eachother again. Due to our mutual friends we still saw quite a bit of eachother. He started attending the same youth group I was at and then we started having the same friends. We still couldn't stand eachother...but strangly we became close friends, like brother and sister, like the ones really close in age and you bicker ALL the time. Soon we were teased that we would end up married. Do you know that the thought of that truly repulsed me as it did Terry??? But one rainy night in March of 1998 Terry and I began to look at each other in a different light, and that is where it all began.

Terry is nothing I pictured at 16 of marrying. I did not dream of a man who counted every penny he spent. I did not picture our "dates" would take place at local burger joints to save money. I did not think that I would be spending my lazy saturday's cleaning. I did not think he would be better at Laundry. But all the things I thought I wanted was not what God knew I would want andneed later.

Boy am I glad that what I wanted at 16 is not what God gave me! My husband, the funniest man on earth, has shown his love and dedication to not only me, but to God in his self sacrifice that includes cheaper meals so I could have a home, disciplined weekends so our bills get paid and side jobs to bring in extra money. He toughs it out for his family. He is one of the most courageous person I have known, willing to face any difficult situation for me and anyone he calls friend. He will help you move all weekend after a long week at work. He cares for people who might not even remember his name. He never looks for glory. He reminds me of the wwII generation and he is the "good man that is hard to find".