the story of us, part 5...

Read part 1 here
Read part 2 here
Read part 3 here
Read part 4 here

(at one of our four wedding showers)

The next day was Sunday.  I woke up and cheerfully got ready for church.  We had to be there early because my mom and I were in the choir and we had to practice before the services began.   I was singing, focused on the hymnal that I was holding in my hands, when my friend nudged me with her elbow.  I looked up and there he was, sitting in the last row of the church.  I never saw Chris walk in; I didn’t even know he was coming.  He wore a green sweater, tan chords and the same pair of brown shoes I had seen him in before.  I nervously smiled at him and as had become increasingly common, my heart started beating faster.  I felt the heat rise into my face.  He’s here!  And I am no longer tied to another. 

(opening wedding presents one week before the wedding)

Chris sat with my family in church that day.  After the services were over my parents invited him out to lunch with us so that they could get to know him.  Chris accepted their invitation and offered to drive me to the restaurant in his car.

Chris and I talked as we drove to the restaurant and I wish I could tell you that I was perfectly at ease.  As I mentioned, things didn’t exactly go well when I broke up with my boyfriend.   I found myself very preoccupied and anxiously surveyed our surroundings.  It wasn’t that I regretted my decision to break up with him.  I was just fearful of what he might do if he saw me with Chris.  I could tell that Chris sensed my uneasiness and I prayed that he wouldn’t mistake my fear as disinterest in him. 

My apprehension dissolved as we sat with my family.  I was blown away by the ease in which Chris talked with my parents.  It was apparent that the guy who had driven all the way from Sacramento that morning to see their only daughter also impressed them.  Chris was invited back to our house where he ended up spending the entire day with my family.

(date night with friends)

That night Chris took me out on our first official date to Pedro’s, a Mexican restaurant in Los Gatos.  My heart soared as we walked into the restaurant and Chris reached down to clasp my hand, our fingers interlacing together.

We were seated at a table in the veranda and busied ourselves by looking over the menu.  There was a nervous excitement that encircled us as we ordered our food.  Chris commented on how glad he was that I wasn’t one of “those girls” who only ordered a salad when they went out with a guy.  I laughed and assured him that I was definitely not “just a salad” type of girl. 

All of the fear that I felt earlier that day had dissolved and was replaced by a contentment that I had never before experienced.  We took our time eating and getting to know each other better, the conversation flowing effortlessly from one subject to another.

I’m pretty sure I was floating as we walked hand in hand back to the car.  My heart was full and I thought that nothing in the world could make this night more perfect… but I was wrong. 

Chris got into the car and I looked over at him.  Our eyes met and I shyly smiled up at him.  He smiled back, his blue eyes looking deep into mine.  Chris leaned in and I met him halfway.  The moment that our lips touched the whole world disappeared. 

It was the perfect first kiss. 

A kiss that put all other kisses to shame.

It was just us, sharing what would be the beginning of our forever... 

And if you are reading this, Chris, I am so blessed to share this life with you.  I thank God that He authored our story.  I love you and I can't wait to spend many more years by your side.  Happy Anniversary to my one and only.