It was love at first sight for me.
Jim and I met on the campus of Notre Dame when our college Catholic youth group visited in 2004. I remember when he first talked to me: my heart literally skipped a beat, and I thought, "I'm going to marry this guy!" And then I immediately thought, "Wait, I don't even know this guy!"
But that first feeling never left me.
On our bench at Notre Dame, 2006 - Oh my, we look so young! |
Then...I found out he was already dating someone. Sigh. It was obviously disappointing at first, but...I really didn't know him at all! So it gave us the opportunity to get to know one another and grow as friends for several months first. And the more I got to know him, the more I fell in love with him (and he had no clue haha)!
So after they broke up the following year in 2005, I came up with a plan to get him to ask me out. He was very shy, so I didn't want to be too forward by asking him out. I had to give him the opportunity to ask me out. (Oh my, when I think back on this, it just cracks me up!)
We are both big-time book geeks. So my plan was this: ask him through email which of 2 books I should read and hope to goodness he suggests reading it with me.
And that's what I did. I asked him if I should read Confessions by St. Augustine or Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. (I swear, I really did want to read them! haha) It took him a week to reply (I almost gave up!), but he suggested Mere Christianity...and that we should read it together. ;) (Haha, my plan worked!)
So we read a chapter or two a week, and then we would discuss it at a coffee shop. We call those our non-date dates. ;) And after a few of those, he officially asked me out. :)
Our relationship started out very deep since we were discussing our faith from the very beginning. So before too long, Jim knew I was the one too. We started discussing what we wanted in a spouse by our third date and marrying each other after 4 months together. (We had most of these discussions sitting on the bench by the lake at Notre Dame on game days - sigh!). And on our 6 month dating anniversary, he popped the question, and, of course, I said, "Yes!"
When you know, you know. And we both knew. ;)
God brought us together in such a beautiful way, and I'm so happy that I get to go on this life adventure with Jim!
EDIT (2/9/16): I shared a few more details about our love story if you'd like to know more: my prayer to find a husband and how it came true!
What's your love story? Happy (early) Valentine's Day!
Ok, Party time! First, the Pinterest Board of Tuesday Talk Features and then the link up! Grab the button below and link up! Looking forward to seeing your fabulous posts this week!
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Sarah- http://www.sarahefrazer.com/
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Lauren- http://www.simplyfreeblog.com/
Mandy- http://www.almondplace.com/
Teressa- http://teressajane.com/
P.S. Becky is doing an awesome giveaway for the book The Fringe Hours! Be sure to check it out!
I'm linking up with these awesome parties!
I love your story! So very sweet! And perfect way to get him to ask you out. How romantic to read that book together. I bet you have great memories of that book. This might sound like a strange comment, but I also enjoy reading your blog due to the shared faith. I haven't come across many other Catholic bloggers (or at least those proclaiming it), so it's just nice to see a shared connection!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great love story!!
ReplyDeleteSo very sweet! :)
ReplyDelete-Sarah
www.sarahefrazer.com
What a sweet ND filled love story!! You two are perfect for each other :)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your love story! God is so good, isn't He? Thanks for sharing your heart here. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful story! You're so right...when you know, you just know!! Happy Valentine's to you and your husband! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful story! So glad you shared it on the blog. Nice to read something so happy :).
ReplyDeleteMeeting at a coffee shop to discuss Mere Christianity....love that! Sweet story.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Heather! Your comment isn't strange at all...it really made my day! I love sharing my Catholic faith with others and having that connection - because we can always learn from and support one another in our spiritual journeys! Thanks for sharing this with me! -Jess
ReplyDeleteThank you! -Jess
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! Even 10 years later, I still can't believe it all happened the way it did. We're so blessed! -Jess
ReplyDeleteTruly! Good thing I snatched him up before anyone else did ;) Sigh, Notre Dame...I just love that place for so many reasons...this being #1! -Jess
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheryl! It is truly amazing the way He brought us together. There are so many details where I could see His Hand in it all. Thanks again for linking up! -Jess
ReplyDeleteThank you! And Happy Valentine's Day to you too! -Jess
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth! I'm so grateful for how we were brought together...and just for my husband really! I really am blessed! -Jess
ReplyDeleteThanks! I just laugh when I think about it all now. The cutest thing though? We have read a book together every day since. I guess God knew just the right way to knit our hearts together ;) -Jess
ReplyDeleteUmmm, this is so sweet!!!! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think so too ;) -Jess
ReplyDeleteAwww, y'all are too cute. Love your story, and I'm glad your "grand plan" to get him to ask you out worked.
ReplyDeleteWow, your story is such a deep one. How fantastic that your relationship started out with a foundation of faith. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story, Jess! I love that you met at Notre Dame, and I love that you started out by reading Mere Christianity together! :)
ReplyDeletewww.floralandfudge.blogspot.com
Haha, me too! It seriously cracks me up every time I think about it. I just had to nudge him in the right direction a little...;) -Jess
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for it too! I really feel so blessed! -Jess
ReplyDeleteThanks! And we've continued reading together ever since. Now, it's more along the lines of "fun" books, like The Hobbit or Narnia. I guess we were meant to be - a match made in book geek heaven! ;) So are you an Irish fan too? -Jess
ReplyDeleteOh, adorable story!! I fell in love at first sight with my husband, too! :)
ReplyDeleteI love "love at first sight" stories! So sweet! -Jess
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