4 Years Ago Today...

4 years ago today was a day that my life would change forever.  I met the man I had been waiting, praying and dreaming of for 6 years.  It was a Saturday and I was going to some friend's (Huey and Brandi) house for a Christmas party.  But this wasn't just any Christmas party, the party was set up just to "set up" me and Joey.  I was SOOOO nervous!  I had never dated anyone before and I was completely against the idea of being "set up."  I just didn't think that was the way God would work in my life, I had given Him many many suggestion through the years of things that He could do to bring my spouse into my life, but this is how He chose to work, the one way I didn't think it would happen! 

I spent the day shopping with my brother and then my best friend from work came over and helped me get ready, did I mention I was nervous?!?!?!?!  Only a handful of people at the party knew this set up was happening, I didn't want any pressure!  I walked into the house and there was Joey sitting at the counter.  Huey introduced us, but I could barely look at him!  It certainly wasn't "love at first sight," mainly because it would be several weeks before I really even got a "first sight!" 

We said hi and I sat down next to him as it was time to eat, we didn't say much, just a little chit chat.  At one point I dropped my napkin and he promptly jumped up and got it for me.  As we started eating I realized that I had not chosen a good combination of food and drink, we were eating gumbo and I had a glass of wasail (hot spiced cider stuff!)  When I commented on that, Joey jumped up and said, "want something else to drink? I'll get it, what do you want? coke?"  So he went and got me another drink!

As everyone arrived at the party I quickly realized something, everyone there knew him and wanted to talk to him.  It was crazy because we both pretty much knew everyone there except each other and I am still surprised that our circles hadn't connected earlier.  Apparently he had previously gone to the same church I went to when I moved into town.  And apparently no one had seen him for quite some time because EVERYONE was shocked to see him at a party and EVERYONE wanted to talk to him!  Which meant I got very little interaction with him that night.

At one point there was a group of people looking at pictures from a mission trip they were on and Brandi found me in another room.  She fussed and me and made me go in the room and look at the pictures, I felt like such an idiot just standing there! 

As the evening progressed, we ate, played games and just hung out, but Joey and I really didn't get a chance to talk much.  Time came for me to leave and I didn't even bother to tell him bye because we had not connected at all.  I was leaving when Huey asked me if I wanted him to give Joey my number and I just looked at him confused.  Huey said, well if he asks can I give it to him, and I said sure if he asks (which I was certain he would not!)  As the door closed, I said to myself, "I am NEVER going to do this again!"

I was barely down the street when Brandi called me and told me to come back because I had forgotten something.  When I got there they told me that Huey asked Joey if he wanted my number and he said "oh yeah!"  I was shocked to say the least.

To be continued...... I have decided to write a series of posts on our relationship so keep coming back to see what's next!