My Miracle

3 years ago today, my life changed drastically.

July 1, 2006
Greg and Lisa Houchin had been trying for months to set me up with Greg's cousin, Matt. Being that I had just broken up with someone, it took some time for the idea of meeting someone new to appeal to me. Apparently, it also took time for his cousin to warm up to the idea as well. I later found out that he was afraid he'd disappoint Greg and Lisa if he didn't like me.

So, FINALLY, toward mid-June, we both let our guards down and agreed to meet. I have to admit, I agreed partly because Lisa showed me Matt's photo... Such a good-looking fella.
So, our first attempt was a bust-- Greg, Lisa and I went to see a band play at Greg's mom's restaurant and Matt never made it because he was "detained" at a wedding... I was bummed.

A week or so later, Matt came up with the idea that we should take a trip out on the lake- just the four of us. I nervously accepted the invitation, afraid of what would happen if we didn't hit it off. Because of my nervousness, I woke up that week with my first (massive) fever blister. I did everything I could think of... I bought a $12 tiny tube of Abreva and rubbed it on my lip religiously. I even called one of my best friends and asked to borrow her prescription medicine she'd used to fight off a fever blister right before her wedding... But to no avail. The blister stayed put. I finally decided "Screw it. If this boy doesn't like me because of a fever blister, then he's not the guy for me." Deep breath!

So, on the morning of July 1, I woke up early and put on my swimsuit for the first time that summer, looked in the mirror, and wished I had crashed dieted for at least a week before our lake trip. I shook off my insecurities and headed to Mansfield.
When I got to Greg and Lisa's, Matt had not arrived yet. I'm pretty sure the main thought crossing my mind was "What in the Hades was I thinking agreeing to this?!" As luck would have it, Matt got lost on the way out to Mansfield from Wylie, so that gave me ample time to build up more nervous energy.
I went into their guest bathroom to do one last mirror check when I heard him come in the door. I can still remember the feeling I had as I opened the door. There he stood-- with his long dark hair, gray and white boardshorts, and a Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Camp t-shirt. Dang, I thought... How cute is he?!

It took about an hour on the boat for all of my nervousness to fade. We ended up hitting it off better than I thought would be possible. We stayed on the lake all day and well into the evening. I can say, without a doubt, that July 1, 2006 was one of the best days of my life thus far.

And three years later (through the ups and downs and in-betweens), I love Matt more than I ever thought I would. He is my everything and I thank my Lord every single day that He brought him into my life. I am truly blessed.