As you may remember from Part 1 of my love story with Jason Ryan, I asked my parents to pray about introducing me to Jason for one solid month because I had no desire to be set up on a blind date. Only 20 days later, God changed my mind (just like they had prayed) when I saw Jason on stage at church on Easter Sunday. I decided I wouldn’t mind meeting him afterall.
But then, nothing happened.
Or at least, that’s how it felt on my end. On his end, he was experiencing all of the holy meddling that I had already received, only from his end, it may have been a little worse. Instead of coming from his parents, it was coming from his boss!
That’s right, once I gave the okay on to my mom, Sammie, she enlisted some others in her little scheme plan – Jason’s boss, Bill Cole (that’s right; Laurie’s husband), and their administrative assistant, Jan Hart. The two of them began encouraing Jason to contact me, and he was about as enthusiastic as I was in the beginning. He had no desire to be set up either, no matter how wonderful they made me sound. But finally, he agreed to email me just to get them off his back.
His message was short and sweet, and we agreed to meet the following weekend. May 17, 2003, turned out to be a whirlwind day. I had my grand opening of my Mary Kay business that afternoon, and just hours later, opened the door of my apartment to see Jason Ryan for the first time (up close anyway). With a perfect mixture of sweet without being overly cheesy, he brought me a magnolia from a tree in his backyard.
Our first date was simple, but fun. We went to dinner at Macaroni Grill, then walked around the Galleria for awhile before going back to my apartment and eating dessert I had left over from my event that afternoon. I learned that my parents were right – we did have a lot in common. We grew up only about a mile away from each other, but had never met because of our age difference (only about five years, but eight years difference in school grades). We both loved musicals and our favorite vacation spot was New York City.
Looking back, I can’t help but laugh because I remember talking his ear off about what the Lord was teaching me through Jephthah’s daughter in Judges 11 – namely, how to be content being single! In retrospect, I probably wouldn’t advise anyone to talk about how much you’re enjoying the single life on a first date, but somehow it worked for us!
The date ended well, and we agreed to see each other again soon. It wasn’t love at first sight or anything, and I didn’t automatically know he was “the one.”
No, it took a whole ten days for me to figure that one out…
[To be continued…]
Q: Did any of you meet your husband on a blind date? Tell us about it!
I love hearing about or reading people’s love stories. Such sweet moments in life.
I did not meet my husband on a blind date, but online, so it was kind of like a blind date. I was widowed at the age of 32 and it had been almost 8 years when I finally gave into the encouragement of a friend to look at one of the online dating sites. I had always said that only “weird” people would go online to find a mate. So one evening I hesitantly go on and fill out my profile. The next morning I awaken to find several emails from men of the site. I read through them, looked at their pictures and definitely think, yuck, this is not for me. But I did not go off line at that time, I stuck around for a little longer to see what I would find when I read through the files. Not much!
One day, I turn on the computer and there is a new message from a match on the site. I read the email about how he found my profile interesting and although the miles were more than I would desire he would like to correspond if I was open to it. I read his profile which I immediately was in like with as we both had a lot of the same interest, desires and values, God being first for both of us. So I decide to take the risk and reply to his email.
We begin emailing each other different question to get to know one another, and after 4 days our email conversations just stop. I was a little disappointed as I thought we were connecting. I decide to send him one more email giving him a personal email address to email me at should he decide he wants to talk further. After another day goes by I get an email from him. Come to find out the dating site was experiencing technical problems, or something was already trying to prevent us from further getting to know one another. Well my guy decided he had not learned enough about me, lucky me, and he contacted the company about the issues and they were fixed and so our romance was given a second chance! Thank you Jesus! We continued to email regularly for several weeks before Steve asked for my phone number if I was comfortable giving it, he is still old fashion, so that we could actually talk on the phone. He calls me 2 days later and although we talked for hours he says he was a little worried because I didn’t talk much. Now he can’t get me to shut up. 🙂 After a couple weeks of talking on the phone we decide to meet in person. Still feeling this is like a blind date I am nervous but anxiously agree and I am so happy that I did. On that first meeting upon walking toward him, I knew it was love at “first” site. It was such a wonderfully blessed day. He was the Godly gentleman I had prayed for. We spent the afternoon walking around the park, talking and realizing the miles did not matter!
We have been inseparable since that day. We married 17 months after meeting online and are blessed every day we share together and with our 5 children. His 3 and my 2 from previous marriages which have blended beautifully! This June 7th will be our 10 year anniversary.
So I came to the conclusion that I was either one of those “weird” people from online or true love really can be found in an email from an online dating site. I like to believe the latter. 🙂
My husband and I set my sister up on a blind date with a guy from our small group. We went with them on this double date, and the guys talked to each other pretty much the whole time. Afterwards my husband said, “I think that went really well!” “Maybe for you two,” I responded, “my sister didn’t get any chance to talk!” They spent about 5 or 6 mos getting to know each other before making the relationship official, dated for 8 mos, and then had a speedy 10 week engagement! We were super excited for his family to become our [somewhat] extended family too! They got pregnant right away and have now been married for 3 yrs.