A Decade Goes By

July of 2003, I was 17 and pregnant {read My Isaiah Story}. I had sworn off all guys forever. Until this guy walked in....




We met at Chili's with a group of friends after a night at young adult's ministry. The group was already seated when Mackey showed up {my baby bump was hiding under the table}. There were two seats left. One directly across from me and the other all the way at the other end of the table. He choose to sit across from me. I guess he thought I was cute. {I was lookin' good those days. Hormones actually did my skin and hair a favor.}

I knew right away, the moment I saw him that he wasn't from here. He really had a different look about him. He was a Floridian through and through. I also knew that there was something extra special about him.

We chatted with each other the whole time, no one else even existed. He had my nasty pizza sent back, I never send food back. I paid for it anyway.

I went home that night and told my little sister that I was going to MARRY him. {I mean....really?? I was 17 and pregnant. Who would want to marry ME?}

God was truly at work behind the scenes writing an amazing love story.

During this time I was attending a teen mom's support group where we had been learning about healthy, godly relationships. The day before I met Mackey, our leader had all of us pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal qualities and traits to look for in a future spouse. I totally refused. She really had to talk me into it. I probably looked like a toddler refusing to put the cookie down. I absolutely did not want to get hurt again and didn't even want to get married.

I made the list. It was bizarre the way the Lord started talking to me. My list had everything from eye color, to musically talented, he would have a heart for ministry, love my baby like his own, and so much more. Clearly God knew who I was about to meet.

After only a few weeks I started to notice things in this guy that were on my list. We were just friends but he was so kind to me and fun to be around. You have to understand, teen pregnancy today is more accepted than 11 years ago. In my small Christian circle it was as if I had leprosy. Mackey never made me feel condemned and when other people tried to he stood up for me. One time I thought he was going to punch a guy and we weren't even dating (it was actually only the second time we had met)!

So, here I am noticing this guy and the stupid list. I pressed into God and I asked for confirmation. I needed it! I got my confirmation big time from my mom's friend, whom I am sure had no idea what he was saying to me. He looked me directly in the eye and said, "I believe God wants me to tell you that you will not have to go through the rest of this alone. He is sending you a husband. You will meet someone. He has someone for you."

Um...what? Can you read my thoughts sir? Oh, how good is Jesus that He answers us? That is very direct and I thought I had my answer.

Now to wait for Mackey to hear from the Lord....

When I thought he had here is what he said, "I know God brought us into each others lives for a reason. I know we are suppose to be good friends."

Hmmm.....I felt a little disappointed. Ok, a lot disappointed. I left his apartment and cried. I really thought I was crazy.

Later that night he called me and said he really needed to talk. We went to the Waffle House {romance}. He was shaking so much the table was vibrating. I'm pretty sure I had to hold my Dr. Pepper so it wouldn't spill. He practically proposed to me. He basically said, "Earlier today when I said I was glad we were friends and that God brought us together....what I really meant was that I think we are suppose to be more than friends. I know God wants me to take care of you and your baby forever."

My response....laughter. I experience nervous laughter and I completely giggled the whole time. I'm sure that wasn't helping his nerves in the least bit.

Everyone thought we were totally crazy. Many hoped it was a phase, hoped we would move on, get over each other, and call it off. But, here we are TEN years and FIVE kids later. We are sticking this thing out and loving it.

I could not have created for myself a better man. He is amazing. He challenges me and encourages me. I have grown up with him. I know who I am in Christ because of Mackey. He has been the one to point me to Jesus when I couldn't see Him on my own. He helps me to be the mom my kids need. There aren't enough words of gratitude I could express here. Grateful to Jesus for allowing me to see the potential in Mackey when he was still finding God. Grateful that Mackey saw in me what God saw and not everyone else all those years ago. We really have had an extremely blessed marriage. Next to God's love this is the greatest love I have ever experienced.