We were in our fifth hour of driving.  The rain had set in.  The windshield wipers were getting a workout.   Nothing but wide-open fields surrounded us and black asphalt eventually vanished into the horizon.  The date was 10.10.10 – our two year anniversary.  He had one hand on the steering wheel and with his other arm he reached out towards me, inviting me closer.  I snuggled up beside him.  Just like a Tetris puzzle, we fell perfectly into place.  My head fell atop his shoulder, his head softly upon mine.  His arm framing us, my hand on his knee.  We drove in silence for miles and miles, as if there was no place else we were meant to be.

“I am so happy, John.  So happy with you and with us.  I love being together and living life together.”

With a chuckle, he gently responded, “Well, I’m glad you finally warmed up to me.”

Because you see, I tried to get away.  Just as quick as a blink of an eye or a click of a mouse, I didn’t give him the time of day. But he was relentless.  Two years ago, he knew.  And he listened to his heart.  He bypassed the system, and pursued me.  And still, I told my best friends, “I don’t know you guys, I don’t think he’s really my type.”

And as we recounted the first couple months of our dating relationship and what would be the start of a 2+ year journey, we praised God for His intervention and doing what He did to show me that John really was my type.

And as my head rested upon his shoulder and the mile markers passed by, I began to cry.  I cried because I knew.  Just like John knew when he first saw me.  I didn’t know then, but I know now.  I know now that I am exactly where I’m meant to be.  On his shoulder.  Living life the way it was meant to be lived.  Learning to be a woman of patience and grace.  And no, I don’t know where this journey leads, but I know that time will not be wasted because of the quality of the soul with which it was spent.  And so I cried.

I tried to hide my tears, but he could tell.  “What’s the matter, baby girl?”

I looked up at him, mascara surely losing it’s footing.  “I just think we have a really beautiful story.  And when and if it’s all said and done, how much more beautiful it will be.”

He looked at me and smiled.  With his whole self he smiled.  I saw it in his lips.  In his eyes.  In his cheekbones.  And with his whole body smile, he laid a giant kiss on my forehead, lingering for a moment.  “Yes it will.” And he kissed my head again.  And again.  And held me close.

We celebrated this weekend at the magical Albuquerque International Balloon Festival.