A Friendship Story

Ryan and I will celebrate our seven year wedding anniversary this Sunday! Here's our story (originally posted January 19, 2010) in three parts. Enjoy!

Part One:

I walked hurriedly from Praise Team practice to my Sunday School class that November Sunday in 2003 trying to not be too late. Phew. Made it. Mom was already making announcements to our young singles group as I slipped in and sat down. I looked around the room at the familiar faces until I saw one I had not seen before. A good looking guy with dark hair was glancing over my way with a grin on his face. My heart skipped a beat as a thought went through my mind "That's who you're going to marry." I quickly ignored the absurd thought and focused again on what others were saying... "And this is Ryan. He is living in the Missionary home with his parents. He will be attending Diving School in Houston until the spring." That's right. I should have known that. After class I went and introduced myself to our newest member.

Over the next few weeks Ryan began hanging out with our group. He was very fun and outgoing and quite the gentleman. I had the opportunity to visit with him at a concert we both attended and I felt very blessed to have been able to get to know him better. I never thought he would ever be interested in me, so I tried very hard to guard my heart. Thinking that she would be a blessed woman, I started praying for Ryan's future wife the night of the concert. Little did I know that Ryan was feeling the same way about me. He began praying for my future husband that night as well.

Months passed and we continued to be good friends. Our Sunday School class was growing and growing and so did friendships. Ryan begged me one Wednesday night to go to a class on disciple making with him. At first I declined since I was committed to choir. Finally, I said yes. I sat next to Ryan and dear friend Alma and listened to our wonderful leader with my Mom, good friend Mary, Ryan's parents and others behind us. Those weeks were very special and I continued to admire Ryan's commitment to the Lord and how he lived his life to serve Him and how he challenged others to be on fire for the Lord. And our friendship continued to to grow...

To be continued...