I remember the first time I laid eyes on my husband, Chris. I had recently moved to his hometown and came to the high school to register for classes. He was briskly walking toward the JROTC room. He had just finished drill team practice, and he was rushing to retrieve his backpack so he could head home. He was tall, thin, and playful. He wore black large-rimmed glasses and his hair was spiky. Although I noticed him that day, he was in too big of a hurry to notice me.
It would be several weeks before I would learn his name and we would talk for the first time. Our next meeting was in front of the same JROTC high school room, where he was angrily kicking a trash can. He was frustrated over being rejected by a girl, and I was confused about my current dating relationship. We both sat down and started talking about our failing love lives. His gentle glance, kind words, and sweet smile made my heart flutter. I started falling in love with him that day.
Today, as I was talking to a young woman about the value of falling in love with your spouse, I started thinking about the importance of those first encounters with Chris.
Marriage can be challenging. In the early years of our marriage, I was tempted to give up when our relationship hit rough patches. In those times, I would think back to where our love started, and I would remember how I felt when he looked at me. I would remind myself that, deep down, he was still that guy. It was just enough to keep my heart turned his direction.
True love is not just about feelings; it grows through intentional choices to love one another and shared experiences, which takes time and effort. It is a process. Those initial feelings served as a placeholder. They made room for a more faithful and enduring love to grow. Our marriage might not have survived without them.
I cherish our memories together. They have become an important part of our family history, and as I recount them to our children, I tell them that the teenage boy I knew back then has been replaced by a better man. He is now the love of my life and my best friend.
Over 22 years have passed, and I am still in love with him. Even now, his glance and smile can make my heart flutter.
How life has changed, I have gone from a tall skinny spiky haired young man to a tall round thinning hair old guy. You on the other hand are more beautiful than the day we met.
We have talked about how you met before BUT I just loved reading your post. It made me smile.
Thanks.