I left work on the Arsenal a few hours early on that Friday afternoon. I had to go to the mall to find a dress. Not necessarily a white dress; I mean, yes, it was to be a wedding dress, but having been married before and having a five year old daughter, it wasn't a given that it had to be white. So.
:)
I did happen to find a white dress though, and just in time to pick Allie up from the Arsenal daycare and change her into the dress my mother had made for her, wash her face and comb her hair. The dress my mother made for her just seemed appropriate. I couldn't remember all the rules about something old and something blue or whatever, but I knew that my daughter wearing a dress my mother made had to be a good thing.
He had asked us to marry him just two weeks earlier. And when I say "us", I really mean "us". He understood that we came as a package deal. So he bought two rings: one for me, one for Allie. He got down on one knee and asked US if WE would be his family. WE said a resounding YES.
He picked us up and drove us to a little wedding chapel in Hartselle, the town where I grew up. We picked out a song (honestly don't remember what it was), stuck it in the tape deck, took off our shoes, and Allie and I walked the "aisle" to our future.
We said our I do's.
He promised Allie that he would love her and her mommy forever.
A career woman, a bachelor, and a five year old became The Brian Rodgers Family.
Two weeks later, he called me at work and told me that he had established a joint account for us and put his paycheck in. That's when I realized, I have no idea how much this guy makes. $5/hour? $50/hour? Something in between? I really had no earthly clue. I married him knowing not if he was a prince or a pauper. I literally just knew that I loved him and he loved me. And that he made me smile.
I went downstairs to the ATM at lunch to buy some food, and when I saw the account balance I was floored. GOD. IS. GOOD. I felt a warmth filling me up. God was saying, "I love you, Julie. I'm taking care of you. As always. Go forth and love that man I gave you."
And I did. I do. More and more every day. Happy 7 years, Brian Rodgers. I love you more today than yesterday.
Such precious words and pictures. You two have a lot to celebrate, but somehow, it seems that you celebrate often and well. Happy Anniversary in 5 more days. :)
ReplyDeleteI love it that love was enough...more than his income. Your story gives me great hope that God will also send me a husband. So happy you guys are part of our world. Thanks for the beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteI love this story! Thank you so much for writing it.
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