I was eleven. Curled up on my bed with pillows propped behind, I turned the key, opened the lock and cracked open my pink diary. With a blunt number two pencil I very eloquently recorded the day's highlights. His name appeared for the first time:
December 17, 1986
Dear Diary,
Today . . . it got around that I like Jamie Lawson. I do! He's soooo cute . . . .
That name was destined to appear in many emotional entries:
September 13, 1987
Today we had the second day of youth group . . . . during class Jamie sat next to me. I'm not sure if he likes me or not but I sure like him.
March 22, 1989
Jamie was wearing a Detroit Pistons hat and shirt, jeans, white socks and black leather shoes -- what a babe!
March 8, 1989
We were all excited for the Lawsons to come [to youth group] and they never did. My night is ruined . . . .
May 21, 1989
Today when we were driving to church the Lawsons drove past us. It was so embarrassing . . .
June 3, 1989
Indeed, my thoughts seldom ventured away from this perfect human as evidenced by countless impassioned entries:
I caught Jamie looking at me a few times . . . .
Maybe he was nervous or maybe he hates me . . . .
Jamie smiled at me lots!!
I wish I knew how Jamie feels about me! Wonder if I'll ever find out . . . .
I was fourteen. I thought it would be romantic to write a letter to myself, to be opened ten years later, just like L.M. Montgomery's Emily.
I was twenty-four. I opened the letter. My fourteen-year-old self naturally wondered if I was married, if I had children, where I lived and, most of all, whether or not I still cared for Jamie Lawson.
Reader, I married him.
I am thirty-four. Another ten years have passed, and here I find myself still marveling over the fact that this man chose me.
I no longer keep a diary under lock and key. But this man's name is still scrawled again and again in a journal that is even more precious -- my prayer journal. It is my joy and privilege to lift my husband of fourteen years in prayer before the One who saw fit to join this blushing girl with the boy she has always loved.
September 13, 1987
Today we had the second day of youth group . . . . during class Jamie sat next to me. I'm not sure if he likes me or not but I sure like him.
March 22, 1989
Jamie was wearing a Detroit Pistons hat and shirt, jeans, white socks and black leather shoes -- what a babe!
(You will note that I even recorded the color of his socks. Everything about him was incredible.)
March 8, 1989
We were all excited for the Lawsons to come [to youth group] and they never did. My night is ruined . . . .
May 21, 1989
Today when we were driving to church the Lawsons drove past us. It was so embarrassing . . .
June 3, 1989
I [went] to a work day at church with the youth group . . . Jamie and I went along the street getting trash!!! It was wonderful!
Indeed, my thoughts seldom ventured away from this perfect human as evidenced by countless impassioned entries:
I caught Jamie looking at me a few times . . . .
Maybe he was nervous or maybe he hates me . . . .
Jamie smiled at me lots!!
I wish I knew how Jamie feels about me! Wonder if I'll ever find out . . . .
I was fourteen. I thought it would be romantic to write a letter to myself, to be opened ten years later, just like L.M. Montgomery's Emily.
I was twenty-four. I opened the letter. My fourteen-year-old self naturally wondered if I was married, if I had children, where I lived and, most of all, whether or not I still cared for Jamie Lawson.
Reader, I married him.
I am thirty-four. Another ten years have passed, and here I find myself still marveling over the fact that this man chose me.
I no longer keep a diary under lock and key. But this man's name is still scrawled again and again in a journal that is even more precious -- my prayer journal. It is my joy and privilege to lift my husband of fourteen years in prayer before the One who saw fit to join this blushing girl with the boy she has always loved.
Wow, I had no idea that you and Jamie have known each other since childhood! How amazing and wonderful, what a great blessing to share so much and so many memories together! I wish I still had my old journals; I used to be embarrassed about them and either thrown them away or tear pages out when I was a pre-teen.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 10 years together! It always makes me so happy to see two loyal people in love and married, going through day-to-day life and taking things one day at a time. It can be so hard at times, and even dull at times as well, but it is the little, sweet things that mean the most in the end. May you two share many more happy memories and years together!
Love,
~Christina
Thank you, Christina! Jamie and I grew up in the same church. We "met" in Sunday school when I was about four :). My diary is pretty embarrassing, too. I was very selective about what appeared in my blog! It's actually been 14 years for us -- sorry if that's unclear in the post. God has been good to us and faithful as ever through each and every one of those years. Thanks for rejoicing with us!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! Sorry I didn't actually catch you today but I was thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Jamie knows how lucky he is, or should I drop him a note?????
Beautiful, dear Julianna.
ReplyDeleteI echo Anne...he's a blessed man to have you!
Dayna
Thanks, girls. Oh, he knows. I make it a point to remind him whenever the opportunity presents itself.
ReplyDeleteAh, 14 years! I guess I just didn't do the math, lol. ;D Well, congratulations on 14 years, and as I said before, it is so nice to see two such wonderful people happily married! May this next year of your marriage be a blessed and happy one. :o)
ReplyDelete