Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the olden days.
As in, the days before Jon ever saw me with the flu, before he discovered that my idea of camping and “roughing it” was sleeping on a crappy mattress at a creepy motel, before I found out that a “deep snapper” was not something similar to a “loud clapper”, before we were commiserating over the sudden explosion of dog hair surrounding our house and waaaaay before our little pumpkin head was busy ramming his head, foot or arm into my bladder (um. I’ll be right back).
Back when Jon and I had first met and first started flirting and first began dating.
The first time I saw him, I remember thinking, “Hey! He’s tall!” When you are 5’7″ and living in a state populated by guys whose average height is around 5’5″, anyone over six foot was considered quite the find. And the fact that he was really cute didn’t hurt. We met at a college Bible study that took place at my parents’ house and it wasn’t too long after we met that Jon started staying quite late afterwards, making himself comfortable on the couch and just talking to me.
I thought that he must be very lonely and probably missed having a home with a family in it since he was from California and came out here to play for the football team as a deep snapper.
I didn’t ask him what that was, I just nodded like I knew exactly what he was talking about. Then I asked Dad to meet me for lunch so he could tell me what it was.
Apparently, these people snapped the ball between their legs for all punts and kicks. All-righty then.
It took a little while (aka two months) for me to realize that Jon was not lonely, nor was he just coming over to hang out with my family, but he was actually coming over to hang out with me.
Well, this changed things. Now I had to worry about what I was going to wear when he came over instead of just being content with whatever I’d worn the rest of the day.
I remember the first time he hugged me. I was standing on the porch step outside my front door and he was leaving after a very long night of talking after Bible study. It was just the two of us outside and we were finishing up our chat when he stepped over and wrapped his arms around my waist.
He was standing a step below and was still taller than me.
And I can still remember how I thought he might be able to hear my heart banging out of my chest. I’m pretty sure I didn’t breathe through that whole hug. Suddenly, I was very aware that Jon liked me and I was definitely certain that I liked him.
I love remembering those days! 🙂 There was so much uncertainty – was he the one? How would I know if he was? What if he didn’t feel the same way about me as I did about him? Or vice versa?
If it’s okay with you guys, I might just take a trip down memory lane on this blog. 🙂 But in the meantime, I want to hear your stories too (and if you’re single, I want to hear what you are looking for in a guy)!
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Oh Erynn, I would totally love for you to take a walk down memory lane! I LOVE hearing peoples stories and hearing about how the knew who the one was.
I'm single and have been wondering how to know when you in love and all. There is this guy I have a bit of a crush on and it has me all confused bc he's not a Christian and I know it's wrong to get involved with non-Christians. So I've been really trying to identify what it is that I am attracted to so I can find that in a Christian man! I'm praying for his salvation bc that's important whether we have a romantic relationship or not and bc I care about him, he's a nice guy.
I'm also praying that I can get over my crush on him bc it's not wise.
You're truly blessed to have found such a great guy!
YES!! Take a walk down memory lane!! I love hearing love stories!!
and I feel your pain, i'm 5'9" and I'm pretty sure the state of indiana has the shortest men in the world!!!!!
umm.. what i'm looking for in a guy. someone who loves God and can challenge me to love him more, someone who loves kids and wants several, someone who is close to his family because my family is my life, someone who loves to laugh and can find humor in most situations.
and someone with nice teeth who doesn't have gross long fingernails or toenails. i can't help it. it makes me ill.
Aww! I love memory lane! The first time my boyfriend hugged me was right before he left on a vacation and it was a really lame hug. But, after our first "real" date, he gave me a hug that could make the movies. Hugs are the best. 🙂
I just loved reading this! I also identify with the height issue…finding someone taller is not an easy task.
I want someone who loves God first. Who will not settle. Who will accept me for who I am (flaws and alll) but will also challenge me to be more of who God intends me to be. Someone who understands my sense of humor and makes me laugh. Someone spontaneous.
God could have someone totally different in mind, or He could plan for me to be single. I'm okay with either one. But I know I want what God wants. And that is more than enough to satisfy me!
You know I kind of hate being a fifteen year old in high school. Everyone has a boyfriend or girlfriend, and no one can understand why I reject every guy who's interested. All I want is a nice Christian guy, an there isn't a single one in sight. Not that I'm all excited to have a serious relationship at only fifteen, but I feel like I'm almost falling behind everyone else sometimes. How did you make it through high school as a Christian?
Aww, I love hearing these kinds of stories! Way too young to be worried about these kinds of things myself, I guess, but I do have a list of qualities I look for. I HEAR you on the tall factor – 5'10" and still growing! My Dad's 6'5", soo… Love the height, not so crazy about scaring away all the guys with my, ah… Amazon-ish beauty. 🙂
I'm currently single but can remember a "first hug" moment similar to yours. It is a really special (but sometimes frustrating) time when things are new and uncertain! 🙂
The older I get, the more I realize that one of the main things (aside from Christianity) that I want in a guy is someone who gets me. Someone who knows when I'm joking and why certain things are annoying or funny to me. I've definitely come across guys who do and don't get me, and it really makes all the difference in my ability to be myself, and therefore very comfortable around the person.
I'm 5'7" too and hubs is 6'3"… we still kiss on the steps 😉 We've been married 10 years with 3 kids!
sure defentily take a walk down memory lane!
Ok seeing as I am only 15 (almost 16) I have only just begun thinking about dating but here is what I am looking for in a guy
1. he is a christian my parents will refuse to let me date a non christian and I agree with them!
2. he sees me for I am.
3. he has similar dreams to mine.
this is so far what I have come up with but I know it will expand! There is a guy at my youth group and we have gone out just as friends but we have both decided that we are more than friends but to just keep it slow for now fingers crossed!
http://www.standupgirl.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3965:sisters&catid=70:sisters&Itemid=44 having found this on site helps though!
I love to think about the days when my husband and I first started hanging out and getting to know each other. When I met him I had sort of given up searching for someone and was just looking for friends who shared my faith. He was definitely the nicest guy I'd ever met and one day it just kind of hit me that I liked him. Shortly after that I found out that he'd liked me since the moment we met! After that we just took off and were married in just under a year. 🙂
I look forward to hearing more from your memories! Here is my story in a nutshell:
I met my husband in High School. We liked each other, but never at the same time – very on-again-off-again. I wasn't looking to date because I felt that dating was for looking for a husband – and that was not the right time in my life to get married! 😉 He was so frustrated by this idea, but we did become very good friends (in the midst of the awkard crush moments) and ultimately he was my Senior Prom date (with a group of friends).
After my Freshman year in college, we dated for one summer (I did not kiss him that summer, but the hugs were nice!), then I broke it off b/c I was struggling through some things. Within a few months, we began talking again, and maintained a deepening friendship. By the end of my sophomore year I decided to move from GA to Seattle and he felt that before I left he should tell me he believed I was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with! I was floored, but knew an amazing peace in that moment.
I stayed away for one year (long distance was not cheap then!), then he proposed on a visit home and I moved back pretty soon after to plan my wedding.
12 1/2 years later – he is the most amazing husband I could have dreamed up and the absolute love of my life!!
Girls…it's SO worth the wait…nothing can compare to right husband at the right time. Being a teenager IS hard. But stay true to yourself and your beliefs!
I'm single. I need a guy who's a Christian. That is first and foremost. He has to be funny and get along with my family, love my family. He's got to be tall. I'm only 5 feet even, on a good day.
I love hearing stories like this! And now I have one to share too. 8 months ago I met my boyfriend who has turned out to be the love of my life!
We met via online dating site and within a couple wks of emailing, chatting we had to met. We met, and it's been beautiful from then on. I know he loves me for exactly who I am right now. We trust each other, know what makes each other tick and share a really corny sense of humour. Plus he's taller than me!! (I'm 5' 10"). I love being in love!! (Especially knowing it's going to be long term relationship! :D)
Note: God works in mysterious ways. I never thought I'd find the man of my dreams but I have and the timing has been perfect 🙂
Amen cjoy!
It's fun to make your lists and all, but something I learned is that the most important thing you do is GIVE YOUR GUY TO GOD!! He knows soooo much better what your perfect fit is.
When God first pointed my beloved out to me 11yrs ago, my reaction was, "Yeah God, but he's a nerd."
Turns out this "nerd" is the best thing that God has ever given me. He is far away better than what I dreamed up for myself.
If I'd stuck with my list of what I wanted in a guy, instead of just trusting God when He said, "That's him," I would have missed out on knowing my very best friend, 8 years(& counting!) of amazing marriage & 4 kids with one more on the way.
Just like cjoy said, gals – stay true to yourselves and Jesus, 'cause it's definitely worth the wait!!
My story fits Rascal Flatt's "Broken Road" song to a tee. I met my husband right before my (at-the-time) fiance called it off with me. I was devastated, but found myself seeking the friendship of John (my now-hubby) because he had not just one, but two engagements broken (both by the girl). However, his heart was sold out for the Lord, and I wanted to be around him to learn just how to live strong for God with such joy despite circumstances.
We did become good friends – in fact, I was his main confidante for his journey through two different relationships with other girls…(both friends of mine). All the while, my heart had fallen for him, but I never let on.
About 8 months later, when another guy began showing interest in me – and the "friendship relationship between John and I" bothered him enough to ask John to back off of our friendship – God finally opened John's eyes. – On that "dream come true" night, we had the "talk" – he confessed feelings for me and I confessed them for him – and there began our relationship.
That was nearly 15 years ago (we were married within the year), and it's been even better than I could have hoped for. All of the heartbreak, all of the waiting – was SO WORTH IT!
I'm still single, approaching 30 quicker than I'd like, and I've never dated anyone. It's now getting to the point where I don't think there is anyone for me. I want to get married and have a family, I just don't think it's going to happen. I know when I go to a family reunion this summer it's going to be an endless round of "Are you dating anyone? Why not?" etc, etc. My polite answer is that I'm holding out for quality, not quantity, but my answer if I get pushed too far is that unlike half the people in the family, I don't want to end up divorced.
I hate that it's getting to the point that I dread going to friends' weddings because while I'm happy for them, I'm really bummed out for myself because I wish I had that.
I love stories like yours. I have two brothers who have just as inspiring Godly marriages, and parents who after 30 years still make you sick they love each other so much 🙂
This kind of Love surrounds me, which I am so thankful for, but at 24 (which is not to old) I have had to sit through multiple family photo shoots where they just don't know where to put single me. Sometimes it gets a little depressing.
But I digress… I am a missionary, so finding that special one has not been easy on me these past few years. I do know that it is fully in God's hands, and when the time is right… it will be right. But man it it is hard living in another culture all by your self and not having that partner to relate too. I know God has made me strong from the experience I have been through, but it is really hard for me to think what if I am single forever? I know I need to be content with that and happy to live for God. But Wow that is honestly hard for me to hear. Please pray for me on this one. I want to give it to God completely, but I keep struggling.
Thanks for all you do!
I want a guy that makes me laugh and I make him laugh; who thinks i'm pretty if i'm wearing a dress or sweat pants; a christian of course!; someone who gets me; —and it'd be nice if he could sing some-what a play the guitar, but that's just an extra! 🙂
Yes, please take a walk down memory lane!!! 🙂
I have nmemories… except how I keep attracting mentally handicapped boys… oh man, I don't know what this says about me but I'm not too sure I like it! They are all quite amusing really, and some how with God's help I was able to let them down softly and never broke any of their hearts… I hope… HAHAHA ok, I have attracted "normal" guys but that is the problem, they are "normal" guys with no love for Christ or sense of responsibility and if I can't trust them to watch my dog for a weekend I can't trust them to be with me and take care of me, ya know? LOL So here I am, 19, never been kissed and waiting. But I look at it this way, I don't have any emotional baggage to drag into a relationship if and when the right guy comes along! <3 I love your story, by the way =D.
Please keep telling the stories! Erynn, you have a wonderful voice, and no matter what you always make me smile!
I admit, I'm 23 and haven't really ever dated because I feel that I have never met anyone that I really connected with. The whole christian deal is huge to me, and so many of the guys you meet these days aren't believers! What happened to the guys like my dad, who go to church every week, regardless of whether or not my mom has to go to a different mass? It's all good though, I know God has a plan for me! I really try not to make a list, I dont want to miss the one He intends for me because of a silly list of things I think I need.
I'll just try to be patient and wait to see if I can find my Ryan…!
Love it! I always enjoy hearing about people's love stories. Every one is unique and wonderful.
I'm 16, and as much as attention from guys is flattering and all that, personally I'd rather just like to met a guy who could be a really good friend right now. I love all your stories everyone's commented! It's good to know other girls have the same values/standards I do!
Well, I must admit that I have no idea what a "deep snapper" or a "loud clapper" is. Well, unless you are referring to my seven year old son who just catches on to giving applause in church when everyone else is finishing up. That's one loud clapper. And I had assumed that a deep snapper was some kind of ocean fish until I read further down in your post…
In any case, I've enjoyed perusing your blog!
Great blog, I am lucky to have found it. And please do take a trip down Memory Lane… I am single, and currently looking.. I like to think he is out there, somewhere near by, he just happened to get lost. I am simply looking for a good guy, capable of some good conversation.. One that is caring, compassionate and loves the Lord.
Best,
Hannah Katy
gorgeous memory!
I love talking about these things. Seven months ago, I started dating my very first boyfriend. I was 19, now I'm 20. It's really been a fairy tale. And I love him so much. I'm so overwhelmed by how blessed I am and I really do hope that God's plan is for us to marry as we think it is.
I knew I wanted to marry him very soon after we met. At the time, he was going through a tough breakup and he didn't become interested in me until about five months later. I knew he wasn't interested for that entire time, and it was tough because I really liked him. But something was telling me to just be patient and wait. God's timing is perfect.
We started dating when we got back to school. And I'm pretty sure we're beyond perfect for each other. He's basically prince charming… he says the most incredible things to me… he plays guitar and writes me songs… he gets me flowers. All those Disney movie things. But the most amazing thing about him is that He pursues the Lord with his enormous heart and he encourages and leads me in my relationship with God. It's tough to wait on God's timing for marriage, because circumstances like school and jobs mean we probably won't be able to marry for maybe 3 more years. I'm trying to savor these dating days instead of wishing to rush through them, and this post was inspiring 🙂 God's timing hasn't let me down in the past, and I know it never will!
I know I'm a bit late in commenting, but I have to say that I love your trip down memory lane! It reminds me of my own love story in some ways, though I knew Andrew was interested in me, I just wanted to continue being friends and not complicate matters by pursuing a relationship. Lets just say God had to show me that Andrew had a lot of the qualities I had written out when I was 15 and that the ones he didn't have (like brown eyes and being 6'5") didn't matter so much after all. He is taller than me though, which makes me happy since I was beginning to despair.;) I'm just under 5'11", so I thought I would wind up with a short guy, since all the tall ones are generally taken.;)
For those who haven't dated yet, I would encourage you to wait on the Lord. I didn't have a boyfriend until I was 23, when Andrew waltzed into my life. I'm so glad I waited, even though there were times when I felt like I would be the last one picked!;)
Erynn, I LOVED reading your "walk down memory lane". I'm almost 18 and never dated. It's encouraging to hear that waiting until I'm older to begin serious relationships is not only pausible, but the right thing to do!
(btw I thought a 'deep snapper' was a fish, haha thanks for clearing that up)