Previously, I had begun to describe how John and I met and started dating, using my journal. Part II is here. The next mention of John in my journal is the entry for Sunday, January 26, 2004. From the journal:
On Friday [January 23, 2004], I got home, and John STILL had not called. [We were going on a date to see the play Noises Off!, but no official pickup time had been established.] I called him at 6 p.m. - two hours before the show began!! He came 15 minutes earlier than the established time (he's always early). I figure this is God's way of forcing me to be on time.
On Saturday (1-24-04) we went to Phantom of the Opera in Orlando. I wore a black skirt with black hose, then sat between John and Mary in the back seat of Mary's parents' car! Awkward!
Phantom was ok. Paul [Mary's boyfriend] met us at a restaurant for supper after the show. I had an "argument" with John over paying for my dinner. He wasn't supposed to do that!
[A while back, my friend Yvette and her husband had gone to a pool party, and John was there also. Yvette said that John had a tattoo on his arm. I couldn't believe it - was it really the same guy? She said she was pretty sure it was. I wanted to know for sure. So Mary and I cooked up this scheme before we went to see Phantom, for how to find out about the tattoo. We thought about conversation topics that could lead to a conversation on tattoos, like body piercings. Then we planned out how we could bring up THOSE topics, which would lead to a conversation about tattoos. At the restaurant after the show, we got the planned conversation going, moving from one topic to the next until we got to tattoos. John said, "I have a tattoo." He rolled up his sleeve and showed it to us. Mission accomplished.*]
Then the four of us went to the Mall at Millennia, where we split up, guys/girls. Good talk with Mary. =)
Naturally, today I was all awkward around John at church and lunch. Back to the question:
Do I like John's attention, or just the attention???? Had a long talk with Christy, who kicked my butt, as usual, putting things in perspective. She said I was over-analyzing.
Well it's my spiritual gift!
Seriously, I had a talk with Mary later, and she told me some things John had told Paul at the mall last night. Basically: he feels exactly the same way I do: scared, doesn't want to smother/scare away, is interested, waiting to see how it goes, uncertain.
Lord, grant me patience!! May I continually seek You in this!!
[*After we were married and talked about that night, John said that he TOTALLY knew what Mary and I were doing, that it was so obvious. Maybe. Maybe not!]
Showing posts with label O History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label O History. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Friday, December 14, 2007
O History, Part II
Previously, I had begun to describe how John and I met and started dating, using my journal. The next mention of John in my journal is the entry for Wednesday, January 21, 2004 at 9:25 p.m. From the journal:
So on Monday, I went to meet Penny, Kelly, Mary, and Yvette to get together and chat at Wendy's [the restaurant]. I felt like throwing up the whole time because right after that I was going to meet John at Carrabba's for dinner.
So I prayed and prayed: Please give us lots to talk about and avoid Awkward Moments!
We didn't have any problems. =) Thank You, Lord! [Some of the conversation covered the Italian language. I drank so much water, I had to keep going to the bathroom, so I was embarrassed that I had to keep leaving to go to the bathroom. Carrabba's plays "Italian language lessons" in the restroom, apparently, so I'd try to remember some of it to talk about when I got back, to "cover" for having to leave YET AGAIN to go to the bathroom. Later, John said it was kind of weird/funny that I kept doing that. His perspective: So you have to go to the bathroom. Big deal.]
From there, we went (in separate cars) to his Monday night Bible study, which consists of Dan & Laurie and another married couple. [This was not part of the original Date Plan, but John convinced me to go, and I didn't want the evening to end yet. This Bible study quickly became an important part of our relationship, and the two other couples played vital roles in our wedding plans and ceremony!]
After the Bible study, we walked out the door to leave [it was dark]. I was parked last in the driveway. John thought I'd already begun to back up, so he began to back up also - and ran into me!! I was laughing so hard, even the next day. My line: "John, if you didn't have a good time, you could have just said so." What a cool story!
Future dates that have been scheduled: On Friday, we're going with Paul & Mary to see a play and then Saturday is Phantom of the Opera in Orlando.
I had to REALLY hold myself back tonight: DO NOT CALL HIM! He didn't call either, but he has to call before 7:30 p.m. on Friday to let me know the transportation situation & meeting time, etc.!
In the midst of this spirit of impatience, I looked at my perpetual calendar for today and got sucker-punched. Today's verse:
Wait on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)
Just like that. Um, Lord, are you trying to tell me something?! Talk about direct.
But for the first time, I really do feel patient (in a different sense!), ok with waiting to see what happens longer-term. It's a little fun to just take it one day at a time....
O History, Part III
So on Monday, I went to meet Penny, Kelly, Mary, and Yvette to get together and chat at Wendy's [the restaurant]. I felt like throwing up the whole time because right after that I was going to meet John at Carrabba's for dinner.
So I prayed and prayed: Please give us lots to talk about and avoid Awkward Moments!
We didn't have any problems. =) Thank You, Lord! [Some of the conversation covered the Italian language. I drank so much water, I had to keep going to the bathroom, so I was embarrassed that I had to keep leaving to go to the bathroom. Carrabba's plays "Italian language lessons" in the restroom, apparently, so I'd try to remember some of it to talk about when I got back, to "cover" for having to leave YET AGAIN to go to the bathroom. Later, John said it was kind of weird/funny that I kept doing that. His perspective: So you have to go to the bathroom. Big deal.]
From there, we went (in separate cars) to his Monday night Bible study, which consists of Dan & Laurie and another married couple. [This was not part of the original Date Plan, but John convinced me to go, and I didn't want the evening to end yet. This Bible study quickly became an important part of our relationship, and the two other couples played vital roles in our wedding plans and ceremony!]
After the Bible study, we walked out the door to leave [it was dark]. I was parked last in the driveway. John thought I'd already begun to back up, so he began to back up also - and ran into me!! I was laughing so hard, even the next day. My line: "John, if you didn't have a good time, you could have just said so." What a cool story!
Future dates that have been scheduled: On Friday, we're going with Paul & Mary to see a play and then Saturday is Phantom of the Opera in Orlando.
I had to REALLY hold myself back tonight: DO NOT CALL HIM! He didn't call either, but he has to call before 7:30 p.m. on Friday to let me know the transportation situation & meeting time, etc.!
In the midst of this spirit of impatience, I looked at my perpetual calendar for today and got sucker-punched. Today's verse:
Wait on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)
Just like that. Um, Lord, are you trying to tell me something?! Talk about direct.
But for the first time, I really do feel patient (in a different sense!), ok with waiting to see what happens longer-term. It's a little fun to just take it one day at a time....
O History, Part III
Thursday, October 18, 2007
O History, Part I
For some reason, lately I've been thinking about how John and I ended up together. (Well, obviously because of GOD, but the details, I mean.) Looking back through my journals, I tried to find the first mention of John. Found it in Volume 15, on Monday, January 19, 2004. (I had met John long before that, but being busy with teaching, my journaling was few and far between at times.) With today being our 2-year-and-10-month anniversary, I thought it would be fun to look back.... From the journal:
Too much to write about, as usual.
Last Sunday, I went on a sort of not really double date: me, Dan & Laurie Gates, and John Ottinger. A few weeks/months ago, I bought John's extra ticket to Phantom of the Opera. We are carpooling with Mary and her parents (and Mary has a boyfriend, Paul!). So the Gates and John and I went out to dinner, then to hear a lecture by author Richard Lederer. We had a lot of fun. John's birthday was the next day. He turned 24, making him a little more than 3 years younger than me.
So I thought about him all week. He doesn't go to TNBS [the name of the singles' group at the time, Tuesday Night Bible Study] because he goes to 2 different Bible studies on Mondays & Wednesdays. This means I see him once a week. He teaches 5th-6th grade reading at Covenant's school but acts like an English major [smiley face].
I keep thinking about the whole dating thing. My main complaint is that he probably makes about $10,000 less than I do, at least. I said I'd never marry a teacher, which I'd be willing to change, but marry one who's way poorer than I am??!
But who am I to dictate to God, the Master Planner.
So yesterday I had everyone come over for lunch [at my apartment]. Later on, Mary, Paul, Elizabeth, John, and I went to the King's Brass concert last night, where I sat next to John. [Naturally, I was a little late, and found John waiting outside for me to show me where everyone was sitting.] Then we went to Steak 'N Shake, where I sat down first and John sat next to me. Then we went to my house to play a cool game of Paul's [Apples to Apples], which helps if you really know the people well who are playing it. John and I practically read each other's minds. Then we all went to see Mona Lisa Smile (10 p.m. show) because John said he LIKED chick flicks. I had gone to the restroom with Mary, and the boys had already sat down in the theater. Choice? Sit beside Mary on one end or John on the other. Hm. Sat next to John.
From some of his comments during the movie, I got to know him better (did the whole day of course. It occurred to me that I practically spent the whole day with him). I had told Mary a long time ago, repeatedly, that I thought it appeared that John "does not have a romantic bone in his body." Well ... again, with the movie.... Basically, I deduced that the boy is probably a hidden well of sentimentality and romance, which he hides under a cynical, sarcastic exterior. Hm.
So last night after the King's Brass concert, each time we got into our respective cars and drove to the next place, I totally wanted to bawl my eyes out. Seriously, I was holding back tears in the car. Mary and I got to the movie theater first, and I looked at her and she could see it all over my face. She hugged me and kept saying, "It's ok." I am such a loser. She's very patient and understanding.
Also, during the course of the day, John suggested 2 other potential outings for us (him & me): seeing Noises Off at the Henegar Center and going to his house to watch Pride and Prejudice (a 6-hour version). How can a guy who loves Jane Austen and "period dramas," as he calls them, not know about romance?? I don't know why I'm so stuck on this.
So yesterday there was A LOT of praying. "What is happening, God?? Please CALM ME DOWN!!"
O History, Part II
O History, Part III
Too much to write about, as usual.
Last Sunday, I went on a sort of not really double date: me, Dan & Laurie Gates, and John Ottinger. A few weeks/months ago, I bought John's extra ticket to Phantom of the Opera. We are carpooling with Mary and her parents (and Mary has a boyfriend, Paul!). So the Gates and John and I went out to dinner, then to hear a lecture by author Richard Lederer. We had a lot of fun. John's birthday was the next day. He turned 24, making him a little more than 3 years younger than me.
So I thought about him all week. He doesn't go to TNBS [the name of the singles' group at the time, Tuesday Night Bible Study] because he goes to 2 different Bible studies on Mondays & Wednesdays. This means I see him once a week. He teaches 5th-6th grade reading at Covenant's school but acts like an English major [smiley face].
I keep thinking about the whole dating thing. My main complaint is that he probably makes about $10,000 less than I do, at least. I said I'd never marry a teacher, which I'd be willing to change, but marry one who's way poorer than I am??!
But who am I to dictate to God, the Master Planner.
So yesterday I had everyone come over for lunch [at my apartment]. Later on, Mary, Paul, Elizabeth, John, and I went to the King's Brass concert last night, where I sat next to John. [Naturally, I was a little late, and found John waiting outside for me to show me where everyone was sitting.] Then we went to Steak 'N Shake, where I sat down first and John sat next to me. Then we went to my house to play a cool game of Paul's [Apples to Apples], which helps if you really know the people well who are playing it. John and I practically read each other's minds. Then we all went to see Mona Lisa Smile (10 p.m. show) because John said he LIKED chick flicks. I had gone to the restroom with Mary, and the boys had already sat down in the theater. Choice? Sit beside Mary on one end or John on the other. Hm. Sat next to John.
From some of his comments during the movie, I got to know him better (did the whole day of course. It occurred to me that I practically spent the whole day with him). I had told Mary a long time ago, repeatedly, that I thought it appeared that John "does not have a romantic bone in his body." Well ... again, with the movie.... Basically, I deduced that the boy is probably a hidden well of sentimentality and romance, which he hides under a cynical, sarcastic exterior. Hm.
So last night after the King's Brass concert, each time we got into our respective cars and drove to the next place, I totally wanted to bawl my eyes out. Seriously, I was holding back tears in the car. Mary and I got to the movie theater first, and I looked at her and she could see it all over my face. She hugged me and kept saying, "It's ok." I am such a loser. She's very patient and understanding.
Also, during the course of the day, John suggested 2 other potential outings for us (him & me): seeing Noises Off at the Henegar Center and going to his house to watch Pride and Prejudice (a 6-hour version). How can a guy who loves Jane Austen and "period dramas," as he calls them, not know about romance?? I don't know why I'm so stuck on this.
So yesterday there was A LOT of praying. "What is happening, God?? Please CALM ME DOWN!!"
O History, Part II
O History, Part III
Monday, August 28, 2006
Stormy Courtship
Recalling the four months when John and I were engaged brings back memories of wedding plans, interrupted lesson plans, and John getting to know my family VERY well. We were engaged in August 2004, and then nature went crazy.
That August, we spent some quality time with my parents, my sister Gail, and her dog Bubby, as well as unwelcome guests Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. The school year had barely started when we were sent home by Hurricane Charley. John and I stayed at my parents’ house, though Charley moved over Florida from west to east, so we really only experienced severe thunderstorms by the time it reached us on the east coast. And the December wedding plans marched on.
Then the school district canceled school for Hurricane Frances, after making sure this storm would not treat our area as lightly as Charley had. We were grateful for my dad and his generator, which enabled us to use the oven and watch movies on the cable-dead TV. The storm passed, school resumed, and our search for a church continued. We were running out of options. The desired churches on our list were all significantly damaged, except the largest one. Even though we didn’t need a church that large, we liked it and booked it. Then held our breath and prayed.
Barely a week or two passed before Hurricane Jeanne headlined on the news. School finished up that Friday afternoon at the regular time, and Jeanne was set to arrive the next morning; the school district held out as long as possible. (One thing about this round of hurricanes – they did conveniently make landfall on weekends.) After finishing another round of movies and waiting for the electricity to be turned on, we set out to see what our chosen church looked like. Was the gold steeple still there, or was it slammed into the roof of the church like the one in Cocoa Beach?
The church was still intact, and the wedding plans moved forward. Once we left August and September behind, I was able to focus more on the planning, as well as appreciate what the hurricanes had accomplished for us. Each time we went to my parents’ house for a storm, the pile of “irreplaceable” items that I took with me got smaller. In the process of packing and
unpacking and packing and unpacking, then saying “I’m over it – let it get (potentially) ruined,” I stopped putting my books in the bathtub in case of flooding. I sorted through clothes and belongings and managed to get rid of a lot of stuff because I realized it was just that – stuff.
Now that we live in Georgia and don’t have any TV channels (we don’t have cable), I have forgotten about hurricanes. But I looked at the news online today, saw the headline for Tropical Storm Ernesto, and visited weather.com to get an update.
It turns out I STILL can’t escape hurricanes. If this season lasts as long as the ones in the immediate past, then I could see my name in the news. And my husband’s. And my brother Kirk’s. We’re all on the list of storm names.
That August, we spent some quality time with my parents, my sister Gail, and her dog Bubby, as well as unwelcome guests Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. The school year had barely started when we were sent home by Hurricane Charley. John and I stayed at my parents’ house, though Charley moved over Florida from west to east, so we really only experienced severe thunderstorms by the time it reached us on the east coast. And the December wedding plans marched on.
Then the school district canceled school for Hurricane Frances, after making sure this storm would not treat our area as lightly as Charley had. We were grateful for my dad and his generator, which enabled us to use the oven and watch movies on the cable-dead TV. The storm passed, school resumed, and our search for a church continued. We were running out of options. The desired churches on our list were all significantly damaged, except the largest one. Even though we didn’t need a church that large, we liked it and booked it. Then held our breath and prayed.
Barely a week or two passed before Hurricane Jeanne headlined on the news. School finished up that Friday afternoon at the regular time, and Jeanne was set to arrive the next morning; the school district held out as long as possible. (One thing about this round of hurricanes – they did conveniently make landfall on weekends.) After finishing another round of movies and waiting for the electricity to be turned on, we set out to see what our chosen church looked like. Was the gold steeple still there, or was it slammed into the roof of the church like the one in Cocoa Beach?
The church was still intact, and the wedding plans moved forward. Once we left August and September behind, I was able to focus more on the planning, as well as appreciate what the hurricanes had accomplished for us. Each time we went to my parents’ house for a storm, the pile of “irreplaceable” items that I took with me got smaller. In the process of packing and
unpacking and packing and unpacking, then saying “I’m over it – let it get (potentially) ruined,” I stopped putting my books in the bathtub in case of flooding. I sorted through clothes and belongings and managed to get rid of a lot of stuff because I realized it was just that – stuff.Now that we live in Georgia and don’t have any TV channels (we don’t have cable), I have forgotten about hurricanes. But I looked at the news online today, saw the headline for Tropical Storm Ernesto, and visited weather.com to get an update.
It turns out I STILL can’t escape hurricanes. If this season lasts as long as the ones in the immediate past, then I could see my name in the news. And my husband’s. And my brother Kirk’s. We’re all on the list of storm names.
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