What do these seemingly random things have to do with how
Him + Me = Us?
{Originally posted at Take Heart}
I love love. I also think that God writes the best love stories in the world.
I am so humbled to be part of one of them.
We grew up less than a mile apart, yet were in different school districts. I was on swim team with his sister and I always referred to him as "Katrina's cute brother." But I am so glad we didn't start dating then, because he was a heart breaker, and I was a hot mess. I'd have given us two weeks, tops. Then I would have probably had one of my friends break up with him for me over the phone. Like I said, junior high.
Fast forward to college... I spent my freshman year out of state, but then decided to come home. All I wanted upon graduation was to get out of California. Nine months away, and all I wanted was to go back. Jason and I ended up at the same school, and even had a class together. Marine science. At 7:30 am. Which was not about marine mammals, as I had hoped, but about the chemistry of the ocean. Bore to the ing. But, he was in there with two of his friends, and they needed a fourth for their lab partner. Luckily for them, nerdy, bookish, responsible me was there to rescue them from their slacker ways. I probably ended up doing all of the work, but they entertained me each and every day. We survived the early morning boredom, passed the class, and became great friends.
Friends. Just friends. At the time I was working two jobs and going to school full time. I was convinced that I didn't have room in my life for much more. Even if it came in the form of a cute boy. One night his best friend's band was playing at a local restaurant, and I was there with my friend. I had the following day off, and all I wanted to do was go snowboarding. My friend bailed on me at the last minute, and I was soooo bummed. It was going to be my first day off in 37 days. A big, big, big deal. On a whim, and not exactly wanting to head up the mountain alone, I asked Jason and his bestie to join me. They surprisingly said yes and right before midnight, a 5:30 a.m. meet up time was arranged. Until his friend bailed. Then he wanted to bail. Somehow I convinced him to go anyway, and promised it would be fun.
It was fun. So very fun. No awkwardness, no weird silences. Just happy, comfortable conversation. Over the next few weeks we began to spend more time together. He would even come visit me during my breaks at work. I was sad the semester was ending, that the torture that was marine science was over. He invited me to college group, and to a couple of his hardcore band, Unashamed, shows. For this Dave Matthews Band loving girl, that was a whole different world, to put it mildly.
On Christmas day he was preparing to leave on tour. He came over to say goodbye and promised to write. How cute is that? But him being the gentleman, and me being the clueless girl, I had no idea he thought of me as anything as more than a good friend. Two days later, while I was at work he called me. From Arkansas. In the days before cell phones, this was a big deal. It meant he had to go get coins and find a pay phone. That phone call was the first time I realized that there could be something more than I originally thought. Trouble is, I had plans to work and move to the local ski resort for the season. I wasn't sure how I would be able to juggle a semi- long distance relationship and school.
Fast forward a few weeks... he came home from tour and invited me to dinner at his house with his family. On the very short drive to his house, my little truck was hit head on by an uninsured drunk driver. I emerged from the crash unscathed, but my truck was totaled. As I waited for the police to arrive, I tried to call Jason to tell him what happened, but I couldn't remember his phone number. He sat at home thinking that I had stood him up! How did we ever survive without cell phones???? Eventually my brother called him and he met me at the accident scene. His care and concern for me in that moment made me realize how special he was, how much he meant to me. How much more than just a friend he had become. Because I was suddenly without an automobile, there was no way I could go work at the ski resort, but then and there I knew that there was no way that I wanted to leave him.
From that night on we began dating, survived college together, saw his other band The Supertones, get signed and record an album, grew up, and three years later got engaged. The following year we were married, bought our first house, toured, traveled and marveled at how a boring college class and a scary car accident brought us together.
I just went over and read your love story. It really is a true love story. It was fun to read. Thanks for sharing! Thanks for all your help in emails this week!
ReplyDeleteDid you just announce in that story that you're pregnant or did I read it wrong? Had you mentioned that here before and I missed it?! Congrats if that is the case!!!!
ReplyDeleteAdd another WHAT?? Summer?? SPILL!! Loved the story! SO SWEET!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVEY LOVED your story! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteloved reading your story this morning!
ReplyDeleteI love Joy's Hope and Take Heart!
ReplyDeleteGreat story !! And thats awesome your hubby was in the supertones!! Me and my hubby spent many youth group days listening to them !!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! I don't "know" you in real life, but have followed your blog for a while now. That is a great story, but i am more astonished that you married a "Supertone!" haha I listened to them in high school when i lived in FL!! Our youth pastor introduced to to them and I loved them!! Small world! Tell your hubs that they were awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!! There is nothing better than the sweet smell of babies. :)
ReplyDeleteAwwww!!! Congrats!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet story. Congrats on the new addition! Very exciting!
ReplyDeletelook at you guys!!! so cute. we have a similar story. well... minus the drums and drunk driver. he was the older cool kid and i was the geeky lab partner that did ALL the work.
ReplyDeleteloved your love story. that whole series was awesome.
I loved the love story.
ReplyDeleteBack in 1997/1998 I went to an "Ultimate Ska and Punk Show" with some friends. Supertones were playing. Fast forward to today. I am married to one of those "friends". That was the first concert we attended "together".
loved reading your story, Julie! would you believe a car crash changed the course of my life too - only it was my fault (!) ... but just more proof that "nothing is wasted" with God. thanks for the sweet reminder :)
ReplyDeleteLove love loved reading your story!
ReplyDeleteJulie, that was a wonderful beautiful love story! And congrats! I'm so happy to hear that you guys will be adding a 4th. So so happy :)
ReplyDeleteOkay...so this is TOTALLY hilarious! I didn't realize your hubby played in the band Supertones!?? Such a small world this really is...I loved that band as a teenager!
ReplyDeleteANDDDD CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW ARRIVAL ON THE WAY!! So so happy for you! We are 4 1/2 weeks away from our very first little darling's due date...I'm starting to get the jitters; but at the same time, I CAN'T wait to meet this sweet little face...so happy for you Julie...blessings and more to you! ~Ashten Swartz
http://thefarmerswifeashten.blogspot.com/
What a great story. I love how God has a plan for us.. and we don't always know why until we look back. Love your blog and reading about your family, etc.
ReplyDeleteTracy Fisher(www.tfisherart.com)
YOU ARE TOO STINKIN CUTE.
ReplyDeletei know i will never find the incredibly awesome happily ever after that you have, so forgive me if i stare in awe at your stories. they fascinate me.
I am glad to have found your blog today after reading your love story over at Take Heart. Thank you for sharing your story with others. Your blog brightened up my day! #1 I love the Supertones and it made me want to go listen to my albums. # 2 My hubby is a drummer/audio engineer and I look forward to a day that we have a bright and beautiful babies like yours. What a lovely family with a lovely story.
ReplyDeleteYay you are having another beautiful baby(girl I bet) What a wonderful story and thank you for sharing it with us!!!
ReplyDeleteYay what a great day, and a great way to spill the beans!!
Oh, I too love love stories. The way God so intimately weaves together two lives just blows me away (especially since we girls tend to sit back and plan and think we have everything figured out and then He brings us the perfect person, in His perfect time). Thanks for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteYou are very cute-
ReplyDeletewishing you many happy years-
sandy toe
Precious. Precious. Precious. I'm crying and in love with love.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Julie!! So happy for you! Such a sweet and special love story!!
ReplyDelete....and I was right on your bhint int the Bieber post ;)
Oh Julie...I didn't think it was possible, but I like you even more now that I've read your Julie and Jason story. Suh-weeeet!
ReplyDeleteOh my!! I love how you slipped that 'little' line in at the end!! Congratulations! What wonderful news for your family!! Love your blog! You are inspiring!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun story to read..thanks for sharing. I love to see how God brings people together..awesome..
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!! :)
I came over from Take Heart, and then I read your profile about loss. I am so touched, I lost a baby and never thought I'd have another, now I have three sweet boys. Good luck on number 4, perhaps your team will become co-ed.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. It's always amazing to see how God works things out when we never could imagine it!
ReplyDeletesuch a nice story, and congrats!!!
ReplyDeletei love love stories...yours is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhhh, congrats!!!!!!!!!! Hooray! Loved your story and so happy about your news!
ReplyDeleteMan, that story is beautiful, and was the perfect reminder I need right now. I was feeling crushed after I thought God brought me "the one" and then it all came crashing down when we broke up. But if it is God's story for me, I have no control over what happens, but I know it WILL happen eventually, just not on my time frame. And when God does bring that special person along, it will be better than I imagined, because we can not even dream of the love stories that He writes for us. LOVE your blog, totally real and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your life.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new baby!! I love your blog and try to read it at least once a week :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness gracious me! That is SUCH a cute story! I love it! I've always loved love stories but now that I'm getting married they're even better! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd..CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! I love that last picture!!
♥
Congratulations! That is such a great story and it is so cool how God works!
ReplyDeleteMy 6 y.o. daughter is sitting here with my while I browse. She saw your picture, pointed to you and said, "She looks cute". Thought you should know. =D
ReplyDelete