Three years ago

Three years ago we were going out to celebrate Elena’s birthday.
College friends were tying the knot in Texas.
My roommate Stephanie was newly engaged.
I was single and feeling the sting.

Self-pity took over and I wanted nothing to do with a summer Shakespeare in the Park picnic outing. Even for Elena, who I love like a sister. But in the end, I decided anything would be better than sulking alone.

Two sailors had tagged along with Elena’s boyfriend. Energetic Scott had been tasked with cheering me up, though I didn’t know it at the time. He boisterously chatted with me as we walked along to the park. I barely noticed Silent Joe as he followed behind. We sat down and began our picnic dinner before “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” began.

Somewhere along the way, Scott fulfilled his mission. My bad mood had subsided. I even stepped outside myself to think of Joe, who was barely talking to anyone.

My simple memory prevents me from remembering the specifics of the conversation. When he left for a moment during intermission, I couldn’t help but recognize the slight tension in the air. The kind that’s tough to put words to but is all about sensing a connection to someone with a pretty good hunch that they’re interested in you too.

Of course, it didn’t matter. I would never date a Navy man. Elena and I joked about it often.

But I was about to learn how God didn't mind shaking up my world a little to help me find someone I wanted to overlook.

As the evening wrapped up, we walked to a friend’s house nearby to hang out. Joe and I continued to talk. And to my surprise, the man who barely had two words at the beginning of the night had the guts to ask for my phone number and what I was doing the next day.

Looking back, that day changed the course of my life. It was the day I met my wonderful husband.

And I almost didn’t show up.