It's been quite a week of sickness on top of bed rest here and we are thankful to be on the upswing of things. This week had me beyond grateful for my wonderful family and most of all my amazing husband. I suppose this could be a Valentine's entry the more I think about it.
Dave and I met 11 years ago on our college campus of Philadelphia Biblical University. Our first time hanging out together was at a Super Bowl party at my parents house. (I'll have to locate some pictures). Our first official date was on Valentine's Day. The week prior, Dave had left a piece of a poem he had written in my college mailbox each day leading up to our date. On Valentines's Day he arrived at my door with gifts in hand, but the most special of those was the completed poem he had written. I still remember my favorite word in that poem. It was 'Cherish'. He was so sincere and that simple word showed me just how special he was. This was a date unlike any other. We started at the fanciest of Italian restaurants, where we had course after course of delicious food that I could barely enjoy because I was so nervous. Then we went off to Philadelphia's center city to Cozi's which may have been Xandos back then. After the coffee shop we walked around center city where we had our first kiss in front of City Hall. I just remember Dave saying he couldn't believe he was on a date with me. He was so genuine and I was amazed by the whole evening. I remember going back to my apartment that night and all the girls rushing in my room to ask about my evening. That's where it all began.
The thing that impressed me the first time I met Dave was his selflessness and his desire to reach others with the gospel. I quickly learned of all Dave and his family had been through with the loss of his parents so close together. Hearing his story and his desire to reach people, I knew he was going to do amazing things for The Lord. (Mind you...before heading to bible college, I had one vow...don't marry a pastor and God laughed). Well, I never thought all those years ago that life would bring us here, but I'm so thankful for each moment we've shared.
We have had quite a whirlwind during the last 9 1/2 years of marriage. We've lived in 5 different homes and 2 different states. We've experienced almost loosing my mom to a brain aneurysm, followed by our first miscarriage. Then to find out we were expecting our sweet Bella and buying our first home. Seeing my brother off to Iraq and thankfully having him return to us one year later. To the loss of a job and our unexpected move, which ended up being God's perfect plan and place for us. To a second miscarriage. To the exciting news of our sweet baby girl (who we can't wait to meet). To the roller coaster ride of this pregnancy and most recently the loss of our first home. To all that I say, 'to God be the Glory'. Through each of these things I can say our God has remained faithful and we have grown closer to Him. I've seen these experiences grow each of us closer to The Lord and therefore closer to each other. I've also seen Dave grow leaps and bounds as he has continued his ministry of reaching people with the gospel.
That selfless man I met 11 years ago has never shown himself more selfless than he has in the past few months. I've seen him take on the roll of both daddy and mommy with Bella without missing a beat. He starts his day with making breakfast for everyone. Making sure we are all dressed and the beds are made. He makes sure I have all I might need for the day in his absence. He does Bella's school work with her (which isn't much, but it's usually momma's job). He has taken over bath time, which includes brushing and blow drying Bella's hair. He makes sure Bella is prepared for any special activities going on at school. He takes me to and from doctors appointments. He was even setting his own alarm at night to get up and give me my medicine (I'm sure he's thankful that's over). He has made dinner on those nights (which are rare) that no one is bringing us food. He has taken me to the hospital multiple times, never leaving. These past 2 weeks he had to care for Bella while she had the stomach bug, being up all night and doing laundry around the clock. Then he had to care for me when I came down with the same thing. Wondering if we would need to go to the hospital and staying up once again, through the night. I am not even skimming the surface of what he's been doing. All you mom's know all we do, so you can only imagine. Not to mention...I'm a bit on the high maintenance end :) I'm not sure there is enough I could ever do to thank this man, who I know would give up his own life for his family. He has shown me what it is to truly love someone and in the most selfless of ways.
You never know what will come your way in this life and I know what we have faced is quite small in comparison to what many others have gone through. I just pray that our lives are a constant testimony of what The Lord is doing in our lives. We both pray that He is glorified and we would always remember that each blessing we are given is not deserved, but graciously given by our loving God.
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