I went to bed last night thinking about how much my life had changed in the past year, how much it had changed in just the past week...but our story begins way before that...
In the winter of 2004 I was a junior at Barton College. An interesting guy caught my eye who was in one of my J-Term classes and through a streak of boldness I asked him to work on a group project with me. I could tell that he was an amazing Christian guy (you don't find those very often), but that he was interested in one thing - getting the project done and checking it off the 'to-do' list. Those of you who know me, know I'm not very bold, so when the project was done and he graduated that spring, I was quite disappointed to know I probably wouldn't see him again. Thanks to the modern technology networking age we live in, I could not have been more wrong. Seven years later we found each other on Facebook - both at different points in our lives. I was actually going through one of the hardest times of my life and was desperate to talk to someone who had no personal connection to me or the people around me...
It took weeks, but on February 18th, 2011 I met this same guy, now a pastor in Grifton, NC for coffee. I was on a mission. I had a list of questions, mostly about theology, and a one track mind. Jason answered most of my questions and pointed me in the direction of finding my own answers. We met about three weeks later for another coffee and to monitor my progress on my search. After another coffee or two he suggested we go to dinner. Being the naive person that I am, I thought "Well, if we are going to spend three hours drinking coffee, we might as well eat a meal instead." Jason's thinking was more like, "This girl is going on a date with me." A week later he suggested an obvious date and I waved the red flag. I'm a girl you have to spell things out for, so on April 9th, 2011 he did just that and we decided to start dating and see where things went.
I won't give you all the details of the dating journey - but it was one always intended to follow in God's will. We dated with the potential and intention of marriage...and although I had basically no dating experience, I had always had the thought that you shouldn't date anyone if you couldn't imagine marrying them.
Let's fast forward to last week, past months of fun adventures and many wonderful conversations. This was my first 'real' Valentine's Day. Jason came on Tuesday and cooked dinner for me and watched a 'chick flick' (write that down in history). It was a great night in. We had a big night out on Friday. I was full of anxiety Friday at work - we were going to get all dressed up and eat at Caffe Luna in Raleigh before going to see Le Mis. This was way out of the box for me...You can take the girl out of the country and dress her up real pretty, but you can't take the country out of the girl! It was a fantastic night and fun to do something out of the 'norm'.
On to February 18th, 2012...The next morning one of my dearest friends and I were going to breakfast. She had to push pretty hard to get me to commit. I knew Friday night would be a late one and I've wanted to sleep in for several weeks on a Saturday. As we were walking out the door she handed me a white envelope for me to read. Inside, I found the first clue to a seven hour scavenger hunt. Jason had mentioned this idea at our first coffee and I had responded with such excitement he decided it was a great idea for sometime in the future. The scavenger hunt took me to many places that had been important to our relationship with three of my absolute dearest friends...At various times during the day I thought I was a participant in Jason's favorite reality show, The Amazing Race. I have given a little summary of each and included a picture. If I gave every detail this would be more of a novel and not a blog post so I'll spare you the intricate details....
1. Stop One - The first clue lead us to Starbucks, but on our way, Tracy and I stopped to pick up Jennifer. We were off on the greatest adventure of my lifetime. Jason made it a point for me to talk to many strangers throughout the day - starting with the girl at the Starbucks counter. After coffee with my friends sponsored by Jason we were off to stop two.
2. Stop Two - My next clue sent me to Barton College, specifically the Library where I would speak to the man at the Reference desk, who remembered me from being a student there seven years ago. This search took us to the stacks to find a specific book and another clue to send us to another spot on campus. After stop two at Barton we were off to lunch.
3. Stop Three - Our first meal together, that Jason thought was a date but I didn't was at Chilis. We eat here a lot! Much to my surprise, my 'big sister' Stephanie pulled up and ate with us. After lunch, sponsored by Jason, Tracy and Jen went home and Stephanie was my chauffeur for the rest of the afternoon.
4. Stop Four - The clues at Chilis lead us to the Wilson Movie Theater. Jason and I have seen four movies here and I was quite worried I would have to sit through a two hour chick flick with Steph to earn my next clue...Fortunately I didn't. The lady at the ticket booth gave me my next clue and we were on the road again...
5. Stop Five - Stephanie and Jonathon's house. Jason and I had borrowed their movie room in August to watch a movie. I must say it was the best date I've ever planned (I've only planned five our six). My clue there took a few minutes to solve and then I knew where to head next...
6. Stop Six - This stop was approximately five hours into my day long adventure. I was having a blast but a little disappointed that I hadn't seen Jason. You see, he came up with this story that he had an all day prayer conference, but being the intuitive person I am - I saw right through it. So all throughout the day I expected him to show up...he never did. The final stop was one of my favorite on the journey that day, and on our journey together. For our third date, we had gone to the blooming festival. Although the festival was a bit of a flop, we sat for the longest time in front of the tax office and talked, just getting to know each other. I don't drive down main street without thinking about it. The clue here specifically said: "GAME OVER - Go Home, I hope you have enjoyed your day of recalling our love."
WHAT!!!! Hopefully if you are still reading you had the same reaction I did. Stephanie and I went to my house talking about all the details that had gone into the day and I knew that I just couldn't be over yet. As we pulled in the driveway I see another envelope taped to my door. This was it - the final clue...
Stop Seven - I was on my way, alone, to my favorite place on Earth. If you know me at all - you know that means Lake Gaston. Jason was waiting for me on the pier at my parent's place. He calmly walked up to the car and asked me about my day. We walked hand-in-hand to the pier. We spent a few minutes listening to 'our song' and reading a few scriptures together. He then got down on both knees and asked me to be his wife.
So many people ask me - were you expecting it? Well yes, I was, like I said earlier we had dated with intent for over ten months. Were you crying? No - I cannot describe the peace that came over me when I finally saw him. The scavenger hunt was wonderful and I enjoyed every moment of it - but I was so ready for the end result, I was so ready for him to be waiting for me at the final destination where ever that may be. I know with this next step in my life I am going to face a lot of change. Change is not a bad thing - but it isn't always easy. I know there will be a time of transition as important decisions are made and carried out...but I know this journey has been hand picked for me by a God whose plans are greater than mine. He has blessed me beyond what I deserve and I cannot wait to see what His future holds for me.
