How my love looked when we first met.
Five years ago, I was running late for the council meeting I
had to cover in Mitchell for work. Alex, not even 2 years old, was sick. I sent
a text message to a friend, who I knew was attending the meeting, and asked her
to save me a seat.
I slipped in just a few minutes before the start time,
settled in my seat and looked around the room.
I spotted a young man sitting a few rows behind me to the
right. Sporting a baseball cap, he was a good-looking guy, but I didn’t have
the slightest clue who he was.
After the meeting, he approached me and introduced himself:
Henry Shetler. Former Amish guy. Many mutual friends. Cool.
We exchanged phone numbers, relating to work he’d be
tackling for the Persimmon Festival, and went on our merry ways.
Fortunately, our merry way crossed and our lives meshed.
On Monday, Feb. 4, I’ll be covering yet another council
meeting, five years to the day we first met. On Friday, Feb. 8, we’ll have
dinner again, just like we did five years before.
But these days, we have much to celebrate — our beautiful
family, chief among those, and the loving, respectful relationship that makes
all of it possible.
When I work Monday night, likely I’ll sit back with a slight
grin on my face and look forward to heading home to the man who has continued
to sweep me off my feet since our chance meeting five years ago.
And thank the wonderful God who allowed our paths to cross.
