Sunday, June 2, 2013

How I Met My Husband: Or Why You Really Should Listen to Your Parents

 


I knew Daniel might be "the one" before I ever laid eyes on him.

As a young woman in my 20s, I had dated a few guys that my dad made very clear he did not like or approve of. In my mind, no one was going to be good enough. 

Until Daniel.


It was 2002, and I was 23 years old. I was riding in the car with my parents when my dad very casually mentioned this young man he had hired to work on one of his projects (my dad builds Food Lions & shopping centers).

"His name is Daniel Boone," Dad had said. "He's actually related to Daniel Boone, and he's from Manchester. He's going to be working in town with your brother this summer. Seems like a nice guy." {or something like that}

That's all he said, but the fact that my dad seemed to like this guy spoke volumes. {I'm telling you, he didn't like anyone I dated.} I deeply respected my father. I knew that if he liked this Daniel Boone character, then it might behoove me to meet him.


I didn't meet Daniel until a few months later. When I heard he was coming to the company dinner at our house, I got a little giddy. Silly me, I drove an hour to the J. Crew outlet store just to pick out a new dress. I wanted to look good for this guy even though I knew absolutely nothing about him and had no clue what he looked like. All I knew was that he was going to be there, so I had to look my best.

At the company dinner, I had my first glimpse of Daniel, and I admit he was very handsome. Blond hair, blue eyes, tan from working outside. But I was too shy to engage him in conversation. He was there with his parents, so I watched him from a safe distance, curious about this man who'd caught my dad's attention and wondering what in the world I could say to him. Did he even see me?

When Daniel left with his parents, I heard his dad say something like, "I think he's got a hot date tonight." Immediately, I assumed Daniel had a girlfriend. My heart sank and I suddenly regretted spending the money on the new dress. But oh, well, I thought.



My brother Brian worked all summer with Daniel, but I didn't see him again until August, when Brian invited him over to our apartment for Jen's (Brian's then-girlfriend, now-wife) graduation party. That's when we first spoke, and that's when I knew my dad might be right about Daniel. A few days later we went on our first date. And 5 years later we married. {That's another story for another day :) }

Besides surrendering my life to Jesus, Daniel is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He is kind, generous beyond belief, and an incredible father. As I think back to when we first met, I am reminded of the goodness of our Father, who gives good gifts to those He loves. I thank God every day for Daniel



How did you meet your husband? Did someone set you up? Was it a blind date? 

I'm linking up this post at Love Story Link Up at Beauty Through Imperfection. Stop by & read other great love stories by clicking through the button below.
 
Love Story Link Up











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21 comments:

  1. I met my husband in our school cafeteria. I've really enjoyed reading all these love stories from the link-up!

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  2. I met my husband online on a Christian dating site. It was amazing to see how God brought us together.

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    1. Wow, Melinda! I bet you have a unique story. God can truly work in amazing ways!

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  3. Such an awesome story!!! :) thanks for sharing about the link up!!! and for sharing your story with all of us! I love that your dad approved of him before you even met him. So neat!

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    1. Thanks, Paula. I think it's been tougher for my husband to accept that my dad approves of him than it was for my dad to admit it. My husband still questions how much my dad likes him.

      Thanks for the link-up. It's been great to read other people's love stories :)

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  4. I love reading stories of how people met! My hubby and I met in college through Young Life, and we also happened to have a class together...it was as if our paths just kept crossing. Or, God wanted us together. :)

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  5. It's so true that God will give special wisdom to parents that their children just don't have yet. I think it's great that your dad was such a big part of meeting your husband. So sweet!

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    1. Thanks, Jillian. By the way, I enjoyed your post. This has been a fun link-up.

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  6. Hi! Found you on Modest Mom link up. I love reading stories of how couples meet. It makes me happy :) You know the saying, "father knows best", and I guess in your case that saying is fitting. I met my husband freshman year of high school. We went to a small Catholic school, became friends (he was one of my best friends) Junior year, and even went to senior prom together as friends, but did not start dating until our early 20's :) Now following on Bloglovin'
    ~Jackie @ The Non-Martha Momma

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    1. How sweet, Jackie! High school sweet hearts :)

      Thanks for following.

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  7. Beautiful story! Our marriage testimony is here: http://proverbsfamily.blogspot.com/2013/06/how-i-became-wifeagain.html

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  8. Very sweet story! It is always amazing how God works!

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  9. Such a beautiful story! Isn't it great how God works through our parents to direct us? My husband is so perfect for me and I appreciate my parent's help as we got to know each other all those years ago.

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  10. Too cute!!
    I hope you'd consider joining us at the Weekend Whatever! I'd love to see your posts there:
    http://ajoyfulmother.com/2013/06/07/weekend-whatever-72/
    Have a lovely weekend!

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  11. Hand picked by Daddy, that doesn't happen often but I am betting it makes life easier, Thanks for sharing your story. I found you over on the love story link up :-) Now following on twitter


    Domesticated Breakdown

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  12. I met my husband on an airplane on a trip to Israel. :) God made the seating chart that day! I lived in Nebraska at the time, and he lived in California. How I was even going on this trip with a CA-based church is a long story, but there we were, with 17 hours to talk and observe each other in a way that I would never have thought of or pursued. It's a longer story, but two years later, we married, and I am so blessed! I am so glad I trusted the Lord to pick out the best man for me!

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  13. Well, it is really a very much beautiful post with a very beautiful and interesting story. I loved it a lot. Parents are really the best people to think for us and for our happiness and perfect life as well. Going with decision of parents is beneficial in all the aspects as they will choose the best for us because they know us more than anyone else.

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  14. One of my floormates during freshman year in college invited me to a concert, and invited her boyfriend's roommate to the same concert {all three of them had gone to high school together, and she felt he 'needed a woman', since he'd never dated anyone} - without telling either of us that she'd invited the other. She introduced us at the door. We started making that awkward small talk, then looked around and noticed she was gone. GONE. We started dating 10 days later and got married 4 years after that...so we've forgiven her for her boldness.

    Yours is such a sweet story!

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    1. That's hilarious, but what a great story! I love hearing how couples meet. These "chance encounters" are just another sign of God's hand in every single aspect of our lives.

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