My Love Story

Okay.

I am not usually one of those persons who posts mushy sentiments about their spouse.

Especially not on a holiday like Valentine’s Day.

It’s just too typical.

Too corny.

(Sorry, but that’s the way I am.)

But I have wanted to share the story of how I met my husband with you for a while. 

I also love documenting it for my children to read someday.

I have had this blog for almost 2 years, and I have never written a post solely about him.

So I decided to give in, and this week is the perfect time for me to be all mushy and gushy about my man.

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Our Love Story

Part One

 

 

Before we met…

I was a little backward when it came to dating guys. 

Backward in that, I was terrified of them.

My idea of a perfect Friday or Saturday night was just hanging out with my parents at home.

 

IMG_3490 Mom, Dad, Nannie, and Me

I wasn’t an introvert, mind you.

I was very involved in school, a cheerleader, FCA member, and even voted “Most Popular” of my senior class.

But I never had a boyfriend.  I went to a couple of dances with guys who were more like friends, but I never dated just one guy.

Dates scared me.  What if he tried to kiss me or hold my hand?  I just wasn’t ready for that.

And because of that, I never dated or even kissed a guy all the way through high school.

I would have been mortified to admit that at the time.  I thought something was wrong with me.

But now, I am so thankful for who I was in high school.  I think it saved me from a lot of heartache.

In college, I finally got my first boyfriend, and a few more after that.  All of which I was friends with first, and then it turned into more.

But I never found the “one”.

I had very high standards.  I was praying for a Godly man who I could trust with my heart.

And because of those standards, I spent many weekend nights alone at home.  Hanging with the parental units.  :)

It would have been easy to give in, lower my standards, and date just any old guy. 

But I couldn’t.

I promised myself to not settle than less than God’s best for me. 

So I graduated college still single.

Most of my friends were married and having babies.

I spent many nights hugging my pillow with tears in my eyes, wondering if I was destined to be alone my whole life. 

In 1994, I began teaching, and my students were my life.  I found so much joy in teaching, but I was still longing to find someone with which to share my life.

 

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And then we met…

 

One Friday evening, after a long day of teaching, I was working out at the weight room (at the college from which I graduated).  As I ran on the treadmill, I remember having a pity party for myself.  I was thinking, “Wow, Traci.  You are 25 years old.  You are alone, working out on a Friday night, and then headed home to eat pizza with your parents.  Exciting life, girl.”

After my workout, I grabbed my stuff and headed down the hallway.

That’s when I heard my name, “Traci!”

 

To be continued….

 

CLICK HERE TO READ “MY LOVE STORY – PART TWO”

36 Comments

  1. I think it’s cute you [a perfectly normal person] didn’t date during hs. I always struggle with how to demonstrate the value of independent thought and support individuals who stray from ‘mainstream’ and balancing that with guidance re: listening to one’s parents and being open to criticism.

    Looking forward to the next part ^_^

  2. I am so excited that you decided to share your love story. And it is such an encouragement to read about another Christian gal who is waiting not for any guy…but the right guy! Looking forward to reading more…
    From a single twenty-something girl. :)

  3. You are adorable Traci! I’m glad you are sharing your story of waiting for God’s best! We always told our girls that the longer they waited to date, closer to the age they could actually get married, the less heartache they’d likely suffer. Sounds like your story ended well ;-)

  4. You can’t stop there! :) I had a very similar experience…..graduated from Geneva College single and went off to teach….while many of my friends went off to get married!

    I ended up meeting my husband in the last 5 minutes of a wedding reception that I “crashed” for the free dinner……totally God’s timing and a great story to tell the girls in our 14 years of youth ministry! :)

    Can’t wait to hear the rest of your story!!

  5. I love this story. . . but then, I’m a sucker for a good love story. And I like the way this one ends. :)

    I love YOU, Traci! For sure Cy must have been waiting for God’s best in his life!!

  6. Oh I love sweet love stories too!! Can’t wait to read more about you & your man. Ya’ll make a lovely couple. Me, I could write a post on what NOT to do when it comes to love and marriage. :)

    I love that you had such high standards & waited on God’s perfect timing. There’s a good lesson in there.

  7. Hey Traci! I have followed your blog for ages and have always wanted to comment, but just never have. I’ve recently decided to come out of “lurker” (cough* stalker) status and start commenting on the blogs that I love!!!!! Anyway… I just HAD to comment that I dont know how old you are in that first picture with the jean jacket on, but YOU HAVE NOT AGED SINCE APPARENTLY HIGH SCHOOL!!!! You look amazing!!

  8. Great story! I can’t wait for part two! I posted about how I met my sweetie today, too, and just like you, we met at the gym. The gym must be a good place if it worked for you and for me!

  9. Dear Traci! You have brought tears to my eyes–What a wonderful beginning. I think being terrified worked in your favor and saved you from a lot of grief. What a joy you must have been to your parents! I have two daughters and I can’t tell you how much I prayed for them and yes, worried about them during their teen years. Can’t wait to hear “the rest of the story”!
    Blessings,
    Sindy

  10. I love this! I feel like I’m reading my own story. There are so many good lessons here for girls- and boys, too. Can’t wait to hear the rest. Thanks for sharing!

  11. EEK, goose bumps… can’t wait to hear more. P.S. back then…. you were a driven wonderful young lady it sounds, and that is truly who I hope my little girl grows up to be! I don’t think there is anything wrong with how you were then. Virtuous, hard working, and dedicated to her schooling and activities. JUST FYI! winks- jen

  12. Traci,
    you typed the story just right so you left us hanging to comeback tomorrow. Love the old pics of you.You haven’t changed a bit. So pretty.

    Your story reminds me of my daughters life now. Very driven with high standards. I am thinking that is not a bad thing. Looking forward to hearing …..the rest of the story. : )
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  13. sounds like me during high school.. i had a couple of boyfriends, but i honestly just enjoyed spending my weekends with my parents. hahaha! and now that my mom has passed away, i have those great memories of having those date nights with my parents.

  14. You are right – you saved yourself a lot of heartache. I always tell my boys to pray for their mates. How important that is – and wished someone had told me to to the same. Your “parental units” must of done something right!

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