For years I have said that if God has someone in mind for me, then he will bring the guy through the door and drop him in my lap. Obviously, I never really thought that would happen. Fooled me!
After a lifetime of knowing each other, and coming up on a year of dating, this past weekend my own version of Prince Charming asked me to marry him. Obviously, not being a fool, I said yes! What a long and winding road it has been, getting to this place I never dreamed I would inhabit. But here I am, and I couldn't be more happy. Or surprised.
Life is funny that way. You can be walking along, figuring you have it nailed down, when suddenly - BAM - you change directions. You just never know what life has in store for you.
I never thought I had it all figured out. I am not that arrogant. But I did think I was destined to be single forever. I was good with that. I had everything that was essential for life.
But then, out of nowhere, I got the cherry on top - a man to share my life and bring joy where there was sadness. And it's a good story, besides!
Before we were even born, our mothers were friends. They attended church together, they worked in the field of the Lord together in Ladies Aid, Circle, Sunday School and VBS. When we came along, we were in Cradle Roll, Sunday School, Confirmation class, and the same class in school growing up. We were as familiar to each other as salt and pepper - but the two shakers never came to rest on the same counter top.
Eventually, we graduated from high school and went our separate ways. We both went to college and graduated, and then headed in different directions. I got married, had kids, got divorced, and finally got comfortable in my own skin. He never married, worked hard all his life, and confidently waited for God to bring the right woman his way.
Fast forward about thirty years, and I finally decided it was time to get my life together and move back to Minnesota. That is where I gave up and turned things over to God. And wow. What a difference a year can make!
A year ago, someone put a bug in his ear that I was returning home, and after some thought and consideration, he decided to ask me out. It was sort of a whim, neither of us imagining it would go anywhere. But after some time, working through the baggage and the issues of a lifetime apart, we realized we were better together than we were individually.
Long story short, last Friday evening he ushered me into the balcony at church where we spent so many Sunday mornings learning about the God and the faith we share, and asked me to marry him. And of course I said yes!
Prince Charming doesn't always come with a suit of armor and a sword to slay the dragons. Instead, sometimes he comes softly, carrying flowers instead of a lance, wearing a listening ear instead of a metal suit, and driving a pickup truck instead of riding on a charger. I don't know what I would do with a sword carrying guy on a snorting steed, (awkward...,) so it's just as well!
And as it turns out, you don't have to be Cinderella to feel like one. Happily ever after can happen to anyone, even me!
The moral of this little tale is that sometimes dreams DO come true. And when things look the darkest, sometimes joy is right around the corner. Never give up hope. Turn your life over to God's handling. He does marvelous things, and you may never even know what you are missing until He brings it through your door and drops it in your lap!
