One year ago today, Sean sang me a song that changed our lives! January 25, 2009 was a Sunday. We had gone camping at Montana de Oro, one of our favorite spots to hike and camp, the Saturday night before with our dear friends Amanda and Josh (who happened to both be in our wedding last October). The four of us got up early to watch the sunrise and the waves... then booked it to church an hour away. We made it to the 9 a.m. service, barely stopping by our apartments for tooth-brushing, and in church our hair smelled a bit like campfire smoke. :) Sean texted me that afternoon: in case I chicken out later, the song I wrote [that we talked about yesterday] is for you. In the flickering campfire-light I had casually asked, So, written any songs lately? He said yes, but that he didn't want to play it right then. I assumed he wanted to wait for the "nice" guitar back at home or something. The conversation moved on; little did I know how important this song was going to be to both of us.
Sunday morning I realized I had misplaced my phone in the hubbub of camping and packing up, and was slightly worried it had dropped out of my pocket in the dark at the campsite. I didn't get around to looking for it until about 1 pm Sunday, when I saw his text. (The phone had slid beneath my seat in the car.) I did my thing (laundry and getting ready for the week) and didn't text him back until 4 pm, a tortuous three hours for him. For whatever reason, I thought it was going to be a death-knell song for our friendship. We had gotten in the habit of spending hours together throughout the week, jamming, talking, cooking dinner, and yes, playing Nintendo with his housemates. I don't know who writes a "let's just be friends" song specifically for someone else, my response then definitely seems silly now, but I was very nervous about it. Finally I texted back and we arranged to hang out at his house. The song was amazing and precious, and.... well, in it he told me how he felt about me. Surprisingly, I didn't quite cry, but I was pretty excited. We were attempting to chill and just play random music when I just couldn't sit still any more and asked if he wanted to go for a walk. Elbow in elbow, we walked up and down Miller Street and talked about what this meant for us. For one thing it meant we were officially "together" and people could stop hinting or assuming. :) We also both wanted to pursue a relationship headed toward marriage. So from that point on, it was an adventure. We shared lunch breaks at work (highlight of both our days), left notes on each other's cars, spent time going for runs or hanging out at our respective homes, went to church and Bible study together. We wrote songs together. Sean had weekly lunch "dates" with my dad, which revealed his character and how great a trooper he is! He spent time with my parents and me. We started pre-marital counseling in March, before we were anywhere near to being engaged (our pastor had a six-month program, so we wanted to get a jump on it!).
I am beyond thankful that our path progressed steadily toward that goal of marriage. We never broke up, and we didn't date for years and years (which I think would be torture for anyone). God was gracious to grow our relationship from friends to dating to love and marriage, all within the span of a year. We got married on October 17th, one year and two days from the day we first met. I am still amazed that Sean knew he would marry me from very early on (like in February, after we got together on 25 January!). He is a huge blessing in my life and I honestly cannot imagine life without him, nor do I want to contemplate the thought. I never knew there could be someone to so perfectly match me in goofiness and tender-heartedness. God always knows what He is doing! Sean is my best friend and my strongest supporter. I am his helper and he is my protector. I love cooking for him and listening to him. I love how he is concerned for me and wants to give me gifts that will bless me. I love how our hands fit when they are laced together. I love snuggling or hiking or riding in the car, anything to be near him. I love it when he comes home to me after work. I love the thought of raising a family with him someday.
On this momentous day, January 25th, 2010, with a little tear in my eye I ambushed my sweet guy in the closet after he got home from work and was putting his uniform away. (Thankfully, it's a roomy walk-in closet, so we have space to stand and talk.) I wrapped my arms around his neck, smiled at him and asked if he knew what day it was. He was a little startled, and concerned if I was ok; I don't usually ambush him in an emotional tizzy right when he gets home. :) In a whisper because I couldn't speak, I said, it's January 25th, one year to the day that you sang me that song! Then he knew why I was a little choked up and he gave me a big hug. We have been together a whole year, and what a year it has been. Looking back, it seems like we barely knew each other at that point, but I am sure I will feel the same way in a few years, looking back on 2010. He has trouble remembering his own birthday sometimes, so I don't expect him to remember every little milestone like I do. :) But I wanted to share it with him that day because I care about him and wanted him to know I treasure those memories.
And now you know a little more of our story, if you didn't already. I am looking forward to recollecting milestones that are now an entire year in the past. Hard to believe! I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Here we are camping the night before The Song :)
