The Dance: Part Two

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. John 7:24

   I want to start this out with an excerpt from an email that Aaron fished out of his closet. (Yes, he printed it, don't ask why, because neither of us can figure out a logical reason. Though, I'm sure there was one at the time.) It was dated back on February 12, 2004 while he was still dating the other girl.

"I don't need to tell you again that I have no idea what the future holds. But I can tell you that it's not a great idea to cling to something that's uncertain. ...as hard as it is to tell you that you need to continue on, I think that that's actually the most heartfelt thing that I can possibly say to you. It would be foolish if I told you to wait for me... I won't tell you to cling to that kind of uncertainty. But just bear in mind that everything is out of your hands... and it's out of my hands. It's in God's hands. ...if we're meant to be together, then that's what's going to happen someday. ...it will happen when it's meant to happen. ....
And, if there's still something unanswered or unsettled, then just ask me again... or ask me for the first time- whatever kind of thing it is. Okay?
Aaron"

    One of the things I appreciate most about Aaron is his ability to analyze a situation, decide on a logical solution and tactfully carry it out. This excerpt was (and still is) evidence that he wasn't just that guy who found himself in an awkward situation and did everything he could to ignore it. He was kind, selfless, and encouraging. I remember being upset when I read this email, but mostly because I knew he was right. I can think of numerous emails, very similar to this one, where he displayed the same kind of logical kindness and, honestly, it only made me care for him more.

    Now, said logic did mean, however, that after breaking up with his girlfriend, he was smart enough and cautious enough not to jump right into dating me. In retrospect this set the tone for our relationship, and I couldn't appreciate it more. He was more concerned that he make the right decision, than he was about how quickly I wanted to jump into things. But, luckily for me, that meant getting to spend more time with him as he figured out what he wanted.

    What I consider to be our first real "date" he would probably disagree with, but even so, it was the first real date I had ever gone on, so there it is. It was a just about a week or so after he had broken up with his girlfriend, but for the first time, and with the one person I always dreamed, I was being picked up and taken to a movie. I got ready, probably put on makeup, which I rarely wore back then, and then waited, trying not to stare out the window (fairly unsuccessfully I might add) until I saw his car pull up. We went to what was, at the time, still Regal Mountlake 9 and decided on seeing The Matrix: Revolutions. I remember sitting in the theater, arm on the arm rest, 129 minutes of hoping he would hold my hand. He told me months, or possibly years, afterward that he could tell the whole time, and that, though he did want to hold it, he also wanted to make sure that he wanted to hold it, not just that he was feeling some sort of weird girlfriend withdrawal. Probably the funniest/cutest thing he had said so far.

    The movie led to concerts, movies at my house with our friends, and just general hang out time. And as our friendship continued to grow Aaron continued to invite me out. Leading eventually, to him inviting me to his school's Student Council Banquet, to be held at the Arctic Club in Downtown Seattle. I gladly (giddily) accepted and promptly went to look for a dress to wear (though, I just ended up deciding that the dress I already had would suffice, as no one at his school had seen me wear it yet. Thrift, ha).

    Here's what we looked like that night:

        This particular dance was a ton of fun. I had, by this time, come to know Aaron's guy friends fairly well, and was able to meet a lot of his other female classmates, who were all very friendly. More comforting, though, was the fact that my close friend Allison was there as well (she was dating Aaron's brother at the time, and came as his date). The food was great, the dancing was fun (though Aaron doesn't dance), and the time spent just relaxing and talking in the foyer area was even more enjoyable. After the festivities were done downtown, we made our way with some friends back up to Aaron's house to watch a movie. The boys all wanted to watch a horror film (of course), so we watched Thirteen Ghosts. I told Aaron I was cold, so he grabbed a blanket, sat next to me and covered us both up. I, as would be expected, left my hand fully accessible and waited. I can't tell you how long it took, or even what happens in that movie, but soon enough he reached over and grabbed my hand. At this point I'm pretty sure my heart was ready to beat from my chest! He has since admitted that it was that night, at that dance, that he realized he really did like me. No "girlfriend withdrawal", just pure affection.

    

   

The Dance: Part One

So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.  Galatians 6:9

    It would be a lie, and a silly one, to say that after having received one email everything from then on was "happily ever after". Truth be told that email, as it should, sparked the beginning of a friendship. It lead to brief conversations at church, excessive AOL Instant Messaging, mix CD's and awkwardly having a friend ask him to a school formal, four months in advance (to which he agreed!).
    Casting aside the awkwardness of so early a proposed formal outing, we continued to grow closer as friends. It wasn't until crashing one of his friends birthday parties and seeing him interact with another girl (almost all night), that my purely optimistic outlook was altered. As much as my hopes of a relationship thriving far beyond friendship where true, I hadn't, until that day, considered that maybe he didn't feel the same. Nevertheless, I continued to talk to him on the phone, via AIM and any chance I could. When he later called me to tell me that he was dating the aforementioned girl, it came as no surprise to me and, though heart broken, I was determined not to lose the friendship I had grown to care about.
    The ensuing months included a reluctance to stop talking to him while dealing with a new found understanding of the term "crush". I began a blog of poems dedicated solely to my angst-y teenage heartbreak and sneakily (or not so sneakily as I'm sure he knew the whole time) sent a link to him so he could read it too. The dance was still on, and he, being always honest and fair, ensured me he would not back out on something that he had already agreed to do. So we went.

I feel it necessary to interject here with a picture from that night.

I just wanna note on this picture that it looks like we have
been shot through the head with arrows. I like to think Cupid
got to us before we realized it. ;)

    It was with that joyous and excited look that the evening began. After spending hours getting ready, and trying desperately to steady my nerves, we were finally going. It turned out, for the most part, just a typical formal dance amongst a group of friends, but I couldn't have been happier. Shortly before it ended there was a slow dance and the moment I had been hoping for all night had finally come. I still remember the song (I know he does too), "My Immortal" by Evanescence. I cannot even begin to describe the roller coaster of feelings that I had during that dance, with the thought of his current girlfriend still in the back of my mind, I couldn't deny that the feelings I had for him were growing and that, so far, this was the best night of my life.
    There was no kiss that night, no hand holding, no confession of affection, just some good ol' fashion fun with friends. But it was a night I wouldn't soon forget, and when, months later, he and said girlfriend did break up, I was right there waiting. It wasn't long before he invited me to one of his formal dances, and I gladly accepted.
    

The Beginning

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

    When telling our story I have to begin somewhere. But my question lies in whether I begin at the true beginning, with my unrequited longing for a boy who barely knew I existed? Or with the email that changed my life forever?
    I guess a child's crush isn't nearly as interesting, but for a little history I'll let you in on a secret, I have liked the same boy for as long as I can remember. And that crush began to transform into something so much more in the fall of 2003.
    After years of staring longingly across church youth rooms and a crowded sanctuary at a boy I only wished I knew, my life took a turn. Not a fully unexpected turn, but one that refocused my attention. It always surprises me the way God can turn our attention to the things that are important, and how he can bring people together in their toughest moments.
    October 8, 2003 started out as a normal day. Just finishing up homecoming activities, laughing with friends, and making a routine trip to the ICU to visit my mom. I know it's odd to call a visit to the ICU normal, and I guess that ICU stays weren't completely normal, but hospital stays were. My mom was sick for most of my life, and though my memories of her do not reside only in her illness, that is how this story begins.
    October 8th was the day I walked into the hospital waiting room and saw my Grandmother (my other primary childhood caretaker) surrounded by nurses and family. I saw tears in her eyes and knew immediately what they meant. After 16 years of hard, but unforgettable times, my mother had finally gone to meet our Maker.
   As the whirlwind of preparations, time with family, and condolences pursued I found myself lost in a blur. What I do remember, is the love, care, and support of my church family and just one, completely unexpected, email.
    I wish that I had kept that email, and I kick myself every time I think about the fact that it's no longer stored away in my folder of every beloved email he ever sent, but alas it is no longer in existence. Therefore, I cannot indulge your curiosity on the exact contents, because truth be told, I remember them very little myself. But what I do remember is the most important thing. The one guy that I had always noticed, but had thought never noticed me, reached out and supported me in my greatest time of need. If you ask him today he would tell you that he doesn't really know why he sent it, but he just felt that it was the right thing to do. I say, God is good.
  I've started this blog mostly for myself, to be honest. I've wanted to get this story down for a long time, but hadn't yet. I think it's time now, and if you'll let me, I'd love to tell you all about it. I'd love for you to read my history, live my present, and look forward with me to the future. Are you ready for this journey? I am.

The Introduction

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   Hebrews 12:2

I suppose I should start by introducing myself. My name is Laura.

(^--That is my lovely sister, Cherie.)

<---This is me.












The wonderful man that stole my heart, and fuels this blog, is Aaron.

                        That's him.--->






This is what we look like together:

For me, this story begins when we looked like this:

   Aaron Age 11                                                           Laura Age 10

But for him, it was when we looked like this:

Aaron Age 18                 Laura Age 17

Over the life of this blog I hope to entertain by telling you all about how God has transformed us from those two adorable little children to the couple we are today and follow along as we find out who we are to become tomorrow. 

Sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy.