TODAY, my husband and I will celebrate four years of marriage and I decided to take you on a journey of how we met, our friendship, dating life, and wedding day for this month. I want you to walk down the path called Memory Lane with me. Everyone stories are so different and unique, I wanted to share mine with you.

This time I would like to talk about my highlights with Nathan as we were friends. For some reason, my teenage and early college years are blurry and I remember highlights and moments rather than specific details. Our friendship was built mainly on two things: My family went to first service at our church and Nathan went to second service. During the period between services, Nathan and I would talk (we can just say I TALKED!). The second thing that helped with our friendship was the fact that we had similar friends in common. The group I hung out with was the same group Nathan hung out with.

I want to share 10 moments of friendship between Nathan and I while we were friends and it will not be in chronically order (sorry OCD readers). I know we had a lot more memories, but these are the moments I remember best:

1.      I told Nathan I would never marry him because he made the comment that he could never marry me since I was apparently “too young” for him. So I said, “I will never marry you because you’re too old!” Please note that I was 17 and he was 21 at the time.

2.      Nathan came to my 18^th Birthday Party. I invited him on a whim and he actually came! He gave me an up-close picture of a flower he took in a nice frame. I still have that picture, even though currently, it is in Georgia at my parent’s house.

3.      Nathan came to my homeschool graduation. I know what you’re thinking: a young man attending BOTH my party and graduation says something. But you know what? It went ALL over my head. I was in la-la land apparently. Remember, I had said that I would never marry him. (That brings on a whole new meaning of not saying never)

4.      Nathan remembers a time that we went to the movies with a group of friends and we sat next to one another. I barely remember that, but I thought I would include it since it’s sweet.

5.      One time I was an idiot and gave my bank account number away to a sale representative over the phone. (Please keep in mind I was either 18 or 19 at the time) Afterwards, it hit me how stupid it was and I was too afraid to tell my parents. Who was the first person I thought of? Nathan. So I picked up my cell phone and called Nathan to ask him what he thought I should do. He advised me to get my account number changed as quickly as I could. I did that and everything went dandy afterwards (yes, my mom did find out later, but it was too late to be concern with it).

6.      Nathan and I used to meet up with one another to go out to eat or get coffee. I remember Nathan ALWAYS used to pay the bill (guess it was practice?) like a gentleman! I had to tell the server to make it TWO tickets because Nathan was so sweet and paid for it all the time.

7.      One time, my friend Katheryn and I were hanging out and we decided to meet Nathan somewhere. I remember Katheryn saying, “He’s a nice guy!” Like hint hint. Of course it went over my little head again. No surprise there!

8.      I remember telling Nathan that I got a job as a server/barista in my local town and how excited I was. He always meant to visit me but I don’t remember him doing it. But he was sweet to think about me (he lived in one town and I in another, so in his defense, he wasn’t too familiar the area).

9.      One night we sat in a parking lot in the bed of his truck talking. I don’t remember what we talked about, but I do remember that moment and it has always stuck with me.

10.  I got a call from Nathan in May 2008 that he had gotten his orders to leave for South Korea. I immediately told him we HAD to set up a day and time before he left to get together one last time. We didn’t do that until a month later in early June, a few days before he left for his one year tour. After we ate, we stood outside next to his car talking and since I didn’t know if I would see him ever again, I told him that he better send me an invitation to his wedding so I can know who the lucky girl was. He asked for me to do the same thing. I also gave him a hand-written letter thanking him for his friendship and how he never abused it. I also gave him my number and address just in case he ever wanted to write or call me. In the letter, I told him I didn’t want to lose his friendship and wanted it to continue going. We hugged and parted ways.

To find out what happens next, tune in next week on the story of how we starting dating! You don’t want to miss out!

On a side note, what is YOUR Favorite Memory between you and your spouse while you were “just friends”? I would love to hear your story!