My Child, Walk With Me

I'm sure by now you are wondering about my dating life during these three years of nursing school. Even though I had such a heavy load of classes and work, my weekends were mine. I truly thought sleep was the ultimate, since I was so deprived of this commodity. However, my second weekend of school, Kay, my new found friend, asked me if I wanted to go home with her. She lived closer to school than I did. I said, "Yes." Kay dated a guy in Madisonville and knew she had to find a date for me if she was to go out that Saturday night. I was brave, but a blind date was not what I had in mind - especially when I found out that we were going to a drive-in theater. To make a long story short, having met Kirby in a grocery store for maybe fifteen minutes, we had our first date. To say the least, I found him very arrogant and self-centered, and he was a man of few words. He seemed too serious to me. Having just broken up with Robert, I only wanted to enjoy another's company and have a fun time for a while. He was not my pick for husband material. However, his qualities of dependability and perseverance were qualities I did admire, and he was smart. Kirby's major at Sam Houston State University was physics, and his minor was math.

Having gone back to school and dated others that didn't interest me, Kirby kept coming up in my mind. He had not called or written. (We didn't have e-mail or texting yet.) My spontaneous and creative roommate, Lauren, and I decided to compose a form letter that only had to be checked off and sent back. I have to admit we had a tremendous amount of fun putting this letter together. (Sorry, I don't have the letter anymore.) The middle of the letter was the best part. However, the beginning started out something like this and ended with something like that.

THIS:

I haven't written because:

 _____I forgot.

_____ I lost your address.

_____ I fell asleep.

_____ I broke my arm.

THAT:

I will write:

_____ Every day.

_____ Once a week.

_____ Once a month.

_____ Never.

Kirby actually sent the letter back and pledged to write once a week. However, I think a lot of the letters were just copied from the week before. There was not much substance to them, but he did keep his word. After the exchanging of letters began, Kirby started making a trip up to see me every other weekend. Studying seemed to be our main event, since our majors were so demanding. I was gradually getting to know more about this man. I found out that he was on a co-op program with NASA and would finish his degree in five years. This young man was growing on me.

After dating Kirby for almost a year in a long distance relationship, God let me know that I was to marry him. This really didn't set well with me. I may have grown to like this arrogant, egotistical, closed person. But marriage? That was a whole new ball game. Who was this driven man who didn't reveal his likes and dislikes, his dreams, his beliefs... The next year I was on a mission of discovering at a deeper level this intelligent, trustworthy, secretive young man. At the end of my second year of nursing school, I became engaged, and we were married about two months before I graduated from nursing school. Yes, by now I not only cared about him; I loved him too.

I will tell you that Kirby and I are complete opposites. He is a computer genius who is mechanical, enjoys sports...not me. I am family orientated, interested in science, creative...not Kirby. We have found out through the years that our major likeness is loving the Lord, worshiping, and serving Him together. Even though we are total opposites, we believe that opposites complete. I have learned recently that the male is the provider, the protector, and the one who gives identity in the family. The female, on the other hand, is to comfort, nurture, and teach in the family. We are not supposed to be the same. I do believe that we do need to have the same foundation, which is believing in Jesus Christ.

I can attest to the fact that when the Lord gives you a word, it is a word to stand on. It usually affects generations and is a journey that is not always easy. There are ups and downs in everything. Agreeing with the Lord helps us make the right choices and keeps us on the right path in life. Kirby and I have been married over forty seven years now. He is very dear to me, and I cherish our moments together more and more.

I guess if I was a marriage counselor, which I am not, I would tell you that besides Jesus Christ being the center of your lives, communication is a must. This is not just understanding what the other person is saying. It is also dealing quickly with disagreements as they come up. Third on the list of importance is serving your mate. Don't let your motto be, "It's all about me." Kirby lets me be me.

I truly believe God has that special someone for you. He made us to want a companion, to be fruitful and multiply. I don't believe that applies only to having children either. Your life should produce the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Your work in this world should have blessed written all over it. Friends and relatives as well as people that have dealings with you should come away blessed for having been with you. We are to be moving forward in our lives. We are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14).