Our Love Story, Part Four
Prayers have shaped my life. My spiritual walk, I believe, was in part prompted by the faithful prayers of those who were here before me, such as my parents, my grandparents, and my siblings. To them, I am so grateful.
God has used prayer to direct me where to go to school, where to live, and during this season of life, who to date. One other prayer never left me because it again felt like something God initiated and asked me to pray, as I trusted Him. Long before I was ready to date as a Christian, I asked God to let the next guy I kiss be the one I would marry . . . .
Patient Mark had to be flexible for date number two. When he planned the date and made reservations, I didn’t account for how long my at-home test would take for school. As I went way over schedule, we missed our dinner reservation and Mark was coming up with plan B as I completed my evaluation.
Finally, he knocked at my apartment door and I eagerly answered, feeling much more lighthearted and anticipatory for our date. However, he looked more serious and was a little hesitant. When I noticed him acting differently within those first few seconds of greeting one another, I instantly feared, “Oh no! He wishes he wouldn’t have pursued me. Or maybe he’s mad the test took me twice as long as I expected? Maybe he wishes we weren’t going out on a second date or perhaps he has changed his mind about me all together?!”
My doubts were quieted and completely removed when something utterly unexpected happened next. . .
He looked me in the eyes, tenderly cupped my face in his hands, and slowly leaned in for a kiss!
And then another one!
As with the moment he asked me out I. Was. Shocked.
It was one of those slow motion moments and in less than one second, my thoughts were racing and I remember thinking, “Whoa! I wasn’t expecting this! Is this who I am going to marry? This is who I want to marry! Will I let him kiss me? Yes, I will kiss him. This is who I’m going to marry!”
Of course I didn’t say any of these thoughts out loud, but I did melt into his kisses.
We laughed much later in our relationship when we were engaged and revealed to each other our answers to the question, “When was the point you realized we were going to get married?” We both said the same thing: “By date number two!” He recalled my eyes were as big as saucers when he came in for the kiss and now he knew why. I wasn’t just saying yes to a kiss in my mind. . . I was saying yes to a covenant of marriage to him for the future!
He said he had been nervous and knew he would want to kiss me, so he figured he would just get the awkward part over with before our date began! His resolve still makes me smile and blush a little as I recall that sweet memory.
Next Mark drove me over to his brother’s house and I met Jimmy, Tammy, and their newborn twins, James and Haley. We were probably a little giggly as it felt like we had a huge secret. We were just kissing a few minutes ago and now I was meeting them for the first time and internally hoping they would be my future in-laws!
After holding the twins and chatting with Jimmy and Tammy, we left for a late dinner. We haven’t stopped dating since that night! Neither one of us ever doubted our relationship from that point on. I even felt comfortable enough to tell him about a dream I had. I dreamt he was proposing to me and when he got down on one knee, he pulled out a single pearl. I encouraged him if he ever did propose, I felt responsible to tell him girls prefer diamonds.
Nobody was particularly surprised to see us together. I think most people around us recognized this would eventually happen, even before we did!
My baptism was in March of that year, before our California trip and before Mark ever asked me out on our first date. We were neighbors and friends and our small groups had become very close, so I was excited to invite everyone to my apartment after the baptism. My family and childhood friends were in town to celebrate and I was thrilled to see a few different worlds coming together.
When I fast forward to our rehearsal dinner, I found out my entire family had been together soon after my baptism and as they were recalling their visit to Atlanta, my mom asked the question, “Did any one of Laura’s friend’s stand out?” The entire group responded the same way, “Yes! That Mark Dugger.” They were impressed by his character, ease, and humility to stay in the background, even though he had the charm to be front and center. As I know now, to know Mark is to love Mark.
So when I told my family we were officially dating, they were enthusiastic with their full support. I don’t take this for granted and I know it is an undeserved gift.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 (NIV)
What gifts are you grateful for today, big and small?
May God reveal His love and kindness to you through gifts, and may you have eyes to see them. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
Sometime in the future, I look forward to sharing a miraculous gift God gave Mark.
Until then,
All My Love,
Laura
About The Savvy Sauce
Practical chats for intentional living
A faith-based podcast and resources to help you grow closer to Jesus and others. Expect encouragement, surprises, and hope here. Each episode offers lively interviews with fascinating guests such as therapists, authors, non-profit founders, and business leaders.
They share their best practices and savvy tips we can replicate to make our daily life and relationships more enjoyable!
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