My True Love Story

Like most girls do, I always dreamed of meeting the perfect man. I longed for a soul-mate .. the one and only man who could complete me. In high school I thought I had found my true love. I dated this really great guy during all of my high school years. I was sure he was the one. He was handsome, attentive, an achiever, fun loving and more. My high school love and I made definite plans to marry after graduation.

That was before God spoke to me (NOT MY WILL) and sent me away to Bible College. As a college bound student, I thought I was leaving my boyfriend Mark for just a year .. just one year so I could grow in my Faith and serve God better.

As a new student at Cornerstone College, I absorbed everything around me. I was impressed at how the guys opened the doors for the girls.  There was an inexplicable feeling of camaraderie. The Professor's were genuinely interested in our lives and eager to see us succeed.  The campus grounds were beautiful! 

I wasn't there on campus very long before I noticed one striking young man, Gary.  He stood out from the rest of the guys.  Gary was also a new student at Cornerstone.  He was single and I watched in curiosity as he was checking out the prospects. Although I was pre-engaged, I wasn’t blind. After weeks of getting to know people on campus, I had singled Gary out with great admiration. From a distance I observed that he was very handsome, intelligent, possessed strong leadership skills and was firmly grounded in his faith.

As I was trying to decide which local Church to attend, in this Bible Belt town, I got the opportunity to observe Gary closely while attending his Church. The Church was filled with college-aged students.  The Pastor was a great teacher and he was tuned in to the students. I decided I really liked the Church and decided to settle in and become a part. Gary was the worship leader and choir director at this Church — I was in his choir .... smile .... as I continued to watch him, from a distance, I grew to respect him. It was fun to watch the girls flock .. he was definitely a girl magnet. I can still picture the beautiful high school twin girls who would smile and bat their eyes at him. Gary never seemed to notice. I could tell that this was a guy who would go far in life, and although I held him in high regard, I kept my distance .. I was committed to Mark and I wouldn't have had the nerve to speak to him anyways.

Meanwhile, God was tugging at my heart about my guy back home. As I became more immersed in College life, my ability to see and think objectively about Mark kicked in. I began to question the validity of my relationship with Mark. He was fun to be with and we had great memories .. but did I respect him and look up to him ... I had to admit to myself that I did not.  I held great passion and love for God in my heart .. I knew Mark did not hold the same zeal for God. No one knew that I struggled with my thoughts and with the conviction that God was putting upon me. No, no one knew ... I didn’t even want to 'know' or face it.  I thought I loved Mark but the distance between us .. gradually cleared the fog in my brain and helped me see with clarity.  What I needed and wanted was a soul-mate .. one who loved God as much as I did.

As I continued on with the struggle and with a questioning heart, I set off to Church one Sunday night. When I got there I discovered, because of an event being held on campus, there were no other College students there. I took a seat, by myself, and continued to ponder my dilemma.  As I sat there searching my soul and waiting for the service to begin, a young man came up from behind me, and asked if he could sit by me. Oh my Gosh .. It was Gary!  I was so nervous .. I hesitated ... I could barely speak but I managed to utter a sheepish little okay and he sat right down beside me.

As Gary sat beside me, I felt greatly distressed thinking .. okay, here's Mr. Lady's man himself and he's sitting right here .. what do I do?" I got flustered as I felt a hot flush racing through my veins and up to my cheeks. Here was this gorgeous guy ... the one I had admired for many months now .. sitting right next to me. I could feel his leg next to mine .. I knew we were sitting way too close but I was frozen in place thinking .. "okay if I move over he'll think I'm uncomfortable with him sitting by me ... but if I don't move over .. oh help me God!" He was thinking, "Oh my gosh, why doesn't this girl move over?" Gary looked over at me and saw my bright red blush and instantly interpreted it as innocence. He was a bit humored and pleased at the same time.

Eventually some college friends came up behind us to talk. I was so relieved as I moved and turned to talk to them.  Before the service began, Gary looked into my eyes very seriously and as he pointed at the pearl on my finger he asked .. "What does that ring mean to you?" I scurried and struggled with my thoughts to find the right answer .. and then said simply and quietly, "I don't know right now."

After arriving back on campus, Gary walked me to my dorm and said goodnight. I felt honored to have been escorted by this awesome young man and secretly I enjoyed his attention. I never thought our relationship would be anything more than a pleasant evening ending with a walk to the dorm.

Much later I learned that after walking me home Gary ran back to his dorm, grabbed his Resident Advisor Terry and said, "I need you to join me in the boiler room" (a quiet place with no traffic.) Terry just followed Gary.  When they got to their destination Gary continued, "I need you to pray with me... I met this girl tonight and it's the girl I am going to marry ... but there is one problem." Terry looked quizzically yet waited expectantly for him to collect his thoughts. "She's pre-engaged to another guy ... we need to pray that she breaks up with him!" Surprisingly Terri didn't even blink .. but agreed to pray with this very determined young man. Gary continued "I am going to give her a pre-engagement ring in one year, a diamond in two years and I'm going to marry her in three years." Crazy as it seems, the two bowed in agreement and asked God for those very things.

Had I heard this discussion I would have been shocked... perhaps run the other way.  I had NO clue of Gary's intentions or feelings for me.  Amazingly it happened JUST as Gary said it would. God continued to work on my heart revealing my need to break up with Mark. Gary just knew I was the one and he set his plan into action. He won my heart quite easily and obtained my love. Thirty-seven years ago on June 2, 2010, he still has ALL my love, respect and devotion.

As you have read through this story do you see it as a fairy tale like romance?  When I think back to those days, I believe that it was a type of God made fairy tale .  Should you read through some of my other hubs you will find them filled with pain and a horrific childhood. Gary was a knight in shining armor type of guy to me. God brought him to me .. I have NO doubt.

As I conclude this story, I feel it is very important to reveal that our life together has NOT been a fairy tale. It has been one of trials, tribulations, hardships, growth and determination to make our lives count for eternity. Our strength is that we have a common goal ... to glorify God. Our enemy has sought to divide us by pointing out weaknesses, sins and faults .. many people today would use these conditions as an excuse to part ways.

The glue to our long-term relationship is GOD. We both love Him and because of our loyalty to HIM ... we have committed to making it work ... through good times and bad. Life around our house is not always filled with happy times, flowers and sunshine. The storms come and they blast at our house .. but our house is built upon a ROCK .. The Rock is the Lord Jesus and He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. He brings us through and makes us stronger.

I thank God for leading me to college knowing I would meet Gary, a man who loves God with all of His heart. I thank God that I have a husband that has a good heart, one who is kind and loving toward me. I'm so thankful for the example he has been to my children. My children have a heritage and the security of knowing that we will always love each other and that love overflows and trickles down all over them. As we live our lives and choose to put God first .. He is the glue.