The Power of Yes (A Love Story)

At some point in each person’s life, you’re placed in a situation where you have to make a decision that seems relatively small at the time, but ends up playing into every other aspect of your life. For me, I’d say the best example of a choice like this was when Thomas asked me to go on a date with him initially.

Here’s the thing: Thomas and I had known each other and had been friends for almost 1.5 years at the time. His asking me on a date was COMPLETELY unexpected. I had no idea what to think. Honestly, it didn’t seem all that appealing at the time. I wasn’t really interested in him, I thought we were too different, and I really just wasn’t sure what would happen. But there I was, hearing the man with the deepest, most resonant voice I know tripping over and stuttering out the words to ask me on a date. I could tell this meant something to him. I could tell he didn’t want to just go on a date and call it good. He had intentions. The good kind. Even with all of my apprehensions, I was bowled over by his sincerity and boldness. With all of the fear in my heart, I said yes to the date. We agreed to discuss it further through the week, but went our separate ways from there.

Through the week, I told a few of our mutual friends about what happened. As I told the story more and more, I could feel my heart softening and becoming more receptive. As I laid out a few of my concerns, they managed to quell each of them and tell me little tidbits about Thomas to put me at ease. The more I learned about him, the more I realized that I was hasty in my initial assumptions. The more I learned about him, the more I realized that we just might be more similar than I ever could have anticipated. The more I learned about him, the more excited I was about our upcoming date. I realize now that God really worked through everyone I told about it to help prepare and open my heart for what was ahead.

Finally, the big night came. He picked me up at St. John’s, and we headed to dinner. We talked more about where we grew up, our families, our majors, our goals, and just about everything else under the sun. As we talked more, I could feel something changing deep inside. After dinner, we decided that the night was too young to call it quits, so we went to Boomer Lake, a man-made lake on the north edge of Stillwater. We decided to start walking around the lake and talking. We didn’t realize it, but it was a LONG walk, easily a mile or two. We filled the entire walk with stories from our younger years or other tidbits about our families. After we finally made it back around and to an open park bench, we were happy to sit down. As we sat down, we happened to notice a big, bright shooting star right in front of us, something we both internally hoped was a harbinger of good things. Our conversation on the bench made me realize that we were scarily similar on many things. I was so happy I said yes to the date! Eventually, the cool December air was too much for us, so we walked back to the vehicle. During this walk, we decided that a) since we had known each other for so long, and b) since it was going so well, that we were ready to start dating each other exclusively.

Maybe we should have waited to make that decision, but we didn’t. From that point, we had about a week together before Thomas had to go home to Texas for a month. That month was super challenging, but really what has made our relationship what it is now. There’s nothing like finally having a boyfriend and not being able to see him. Early on, we started calling each other most every night, much to our families’ chagrin, admittedly. That time apart really allowed us to get to know each other more deeply. It also cemented the fact that we shared a deep admiration for one another, and we didn’t want that to change. I wouldn’t trade that month for the world.

From the time he returned, our relationship was a whirlwind of excitement and adventure. We spent 

countless hours talking, laughing, crying, studying, planning, supporting, traveling, and just being together. Over the past year, Thomas has become one of my best friends in the whole world. He understands me in ways I never dreamed possible. He exceeds my wildest expectations of what I thought my next relationship would be. He makes all of the sadness, heartbreak, loneliness, and emptiness I felt in so many other “relationships” worth every second. He shows me God’s love each and every day. He helps me to continually grow into the person I aspire to become. He is the answer to so many prayers.

I love reflecting on the many facets of and experiences from our relationship. As of late, it has become interesting because Thomas has been doing a considerable amount of job hunting, as most college seniors do. He’s considered all sorts of positions in all sorts of locations, but he has made the decision to accept a job with JB Hunt this coming summer! I am beyond proud of him and all that he has accomplished thus far. It’s going to be an interesting transition for us, but hopefully we’ll adjust well!

Oh wait…there’s more!

You see, once Thomas began job hunting, we began feeling a call on our hearts from God that our relationship was called to something different than we anticipated. Albeit much sooner than we anticipated, we started discerning whether we were called, as a couple, to the vocation of marriage. Through a few months of prayer, deep discussion with our families, and lots of time weighing our options, we made a decision.

On Friday, December 4^th, after attending the Waukomis HS basketball homecoming festivities, Thomas took me to my favorite place in the world—the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at my church in Bison. After spending a few moments together in silent prayer, we were about to leave when Thomas dropped to one knee, pulled out a ring from a box in his pocket, and asked me to marry him!!!!!!!!!

Amid shrieks and tears of joy, I said yes!

I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with this amazing man!

Today, I’m BEYOND grateful that I put aside my selfish concerns and was open to God’s will for my life. Today, I’m BEYOND grateful that I didn’t let fear get in the way of the rest of my life.

Today, I’m BEYOND grateful for the love Thomas and I share.

Today, I’m the happiest woman in the world!