10 Years, 10 Marriage Lessons: How We Met
How We Met
Before I jump into my lessons learned from 10 years of marriage, let me tell you about how we met.
We first met at my college in Jacksonville, Florida in 2009. I had just returned from a semester abroad in Belgium and Jon was preaching at an event my friend, Lisa, was hosting on campus. I still remember meeting him and seeing a black and white scarf around his neck. I was so surprised by it because I had not seen many guys wear scarves that way in America, yet was very familiar with it from my time traveling Europe. No sparks that day…
Over the course of the next six years, we would stay in contact because of Lisa. I found myself several times driving around Jacksonville with him when he visited to find a gift for Lisa (mostly birthdays). The crazy thing is that we did not talk much when we were together because I was ALWAYS on my phone (this was back when I was heavily involved in politics and serving as a local elected official).
Fast forward six years, Jon and Lisa both graduated from Liberty University on the same day in 2015. I was there to celebrate Lisa, and Jon was there too — to celebrate Lisa and his own graduation. We had lunch at a hibachi restaurant in Lynchburg, and as we left I noticed his car and asked to ride with him. We chatted while waiting in a long line to get to the university, and it was also the first moment I met his dad, who was walking to the building.
Thanks to Delta's flight delays, I ended up being in DC longer than expected, and during that time Jon sat me down in a hotel lobby to share how he felt about me. Long story short — he was interested in pursuing a relationship with me. I remember listening and not saying much. I did not share my interest for a few days from fears I had.
Next came flowers being sent to my office, Jon asking me to be his girlfriend at the airport, us having our first in-person date, and him hearing me speak at a convention in Lakeland.
He proposed six months later at the airport with another sign. Two months later I moved to Richmond. And three months later we had our wedding back in my hometown of Jacksonville.
And now we celebrate 10 YEARS of marriage (Ecc 4:12). Thanks, Lisa, for introducing us.
As we walk through this blog series together, I will share my struggles and mistakes, yet also how the Lord worked in and through me for His glory. I will also be sharing how our upbringings and life experiences before dating impacted our marriage.
My hope in sharing 10 lessons that I have learned is to equip those seriously dating or engaged, and those married, with truths from the Bible.
At the end of the day, Jon and I have made it this far because of Jesus (John 15:5). Full stop.
Let's jump into the first lesson…