Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Meeting Steve

I was on summer break from my freshman year of college in Chicago. Instead of returning to Nebraska, I went out east to my mom and stepdad’s new home. I was going to spend the month of May (2006) relaxing and getting to know their new town. I had been hired to work as a camp counselor in New York starting in June.

I had heard Steve’s name for a few months, and I caught wind of how well-liked he was at our new church. A friend showed me a photo of him from high school, so I had a general idea of what he looked like. (Cute!) I met a few of his family members earlier, but Steve had been away for his freshman year of college, too. Our paths first crossed on May 21st.

It was a Sunday morning, and my mom and I were sitting together in church. From the left side of the congregation, Steve approached the microphone up front. He brought out his guitar, and began singing “In Christ Alone”. Between the powerful lyrics of the song, and his incredible singing voice, I wiped away a couple of tears. I felt an immediate stirring in my heart.

When church was over, I was walked past him to leave the room, and we managed a “hey” and a “hi”. :)

Later that night, we came back to church for a special “Spring Sing” (think church talent show). Steve was the M.C., and he was really funny on the microphone, introducing the kids and adults for their music performances.

After the show, everyone went downstairs to the fellowship hall for dessert. I was surprised that Steve sat down right across the table from me. He was definitely extroverted and enthusiastic. He introduced himself, and he learned a little bit about me. And what sticks out the most from that first conversation—he drew me a map on the paper tablecloth. Since I was new in town, he wanted to show me all of the hot spots. He told me the best place to eat in town (which was a convenience store), and he even proceeded to tell me the best way to make a slushie there. I was smitten with his kindness, his energy, and his handsome green eyes.

Steve and I saw each other at church a couple more times that month, and we had a memorable game of frisbee golf on Memorial Day. I left for camp in mid-June. Steve had worked at the camp for several summers, but he only came up as a volunteer for a couple of weeks in 2006. I was head-over-heels during the time he was there. He had a love-of-life and a vibrancy that I had never seen before. The campers loved him (and so did some other girl counselors!) 2006 did not end up being our summer. The spark had been lit, but the real relationship began when we both returned as camp counselors in summer 2007. :)

We spent July 2007 flirting and getting to know each other. After Steve initiated our first kiss on a moonlit rowboat, we decided to start dating on August 4, 2007. We were long-distance for our last two years of college. Talking on the phone every day made us get very close, very fast. We lived for the trips that we could see each other. (450 miles was a full day’s drive.) Steve proposed to me on December 24, 2008, and we got married on June 13, 2009—about a month after we graduated from college.

Best decision I’ve ever made. Best guy I’ve ever known.

 



I don’t have a photo of us together in 2006, but I do have this one of me with Steve’s handprints on both sides of my face after an all-camp game. :)





About a week after we started dating.



On a trip to visit me in Chicago.

honeymoon 023erie (208)sommar (60)sommar (89)



And to think, that whole story led us here: 

Linking up today with Andrea for “Show & Tell” (How You Met Your Spouse)

14 comments:

  1. Great story :). Our stories are very similar actually! My husband and I met at a camp in Pennsylvania in 2007. Nothing like summer romance. Have a great day!

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  2. Such a great story and beautiful wedding pics! These are really fun to read! Have a great day!

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  3. Great pictures! I was a freshman when Steve was a senior and I remember my friends in his dorm being so bummed that RA Steve was "officially" off the market. As if they really had a chance before ;)

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  4. It's so fun looking at everyone's pictures! Do you still have the map?

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  5. Such a lovely love story!
    Thank you for sharing. : )
    And for giving my daughter hope for her long distance relationship!
    Have a cozy day. : )

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  6. I love how you two met :) Great story!

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  7. Love this! You guys are adorable. There are a lot of similarities between the start of your relationship and the start of mine with my hubby :)

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  8. Ah, I love this story! So so sweet! :)

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  9. What a beautifully sweet love story! I love the way you two met!

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  10. Just came across your blog and I'm so glad this was the first post I saw! How precious is this story! You two make a beautiful couple. Your wedding dress was gorgeous too!

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  11. Love this post! And your wedding dress is to die for! Thanks for sharing :)

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  12. I'm from Chicago too! Always fun to find other Midwesterner bloggers. Love hearing how you guys met thanks for sharing!

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Thank you so much for your comments! I enjoy reading each one!

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