Twenty

During the summer of 1989, I went with a group of college students under the mantle of YWAM (Youth With A Mission) to Manilla, in the Philippines. There were 3 other students from my college along on the trip, one of whom I had been dating for the past year and a half. The trip was an amazing experience for me, having never been in a third world country before. There was a lot to process emotionally when I returned, and I spent many evenings with JP (also on the trip) talking things over.

JP was a great friend, pretty cute, and an all around good guy. I tried (unsuccessfully) to set him up with several of my friends. I was dating the guy I thought I'd marry at the time, after all! A few months later, when that relationship was over, JP and I continued to spend time together. I was devastated when he told me that he had taken a job in West Virginia and would be leaving in a few days.

We wrote each other regularly. About half way through my summer vacation, I realized that what I was feeling for him was more than just a buddy-buddy relationship. He came to my home in Pennsylvania to visit for a couple of days, and that sealed the deal: we were dating!

This was a long distance relationship...not always easy. JP came back to our college town most weekends during my senior year to visit, and I went out to his little trailer in WV a couple of times. In October 1990, he asked me to marry him, and of course I agreed. We were married 10 months later, in August.



This morning, 20 years later, I woke up to find 20 red roses on the counter for me. He has not changed from being that considerate, gentle man that I first fell in love with so many years ago. (He surprised me with 21 roses for my 21st birthday a few months after were engaged.)

So, here's to the next 20, Sweetie. Happy Anniversary!