Our Mountain Top Moment (10 years ago)
It was about a month from when I realized I was going to marry Thad to when things started happening. During that month, I tried not to let on that I was interested in him, and I noticed absolutely everything about him! I noticed him give up his seat when a room was full. I noticed him step in to help in the cafeteria when it wasn't his shift and they were busy. I noticed him consistently putting others needs ahead of his own. Most importantly, I noticed that his Bible knowledge rivaled mine! Not to be proud or anything, but being a pastors kid, raised in a Christian home, Christian school, and home school, I was kind of shocked at how much my friends at this Christian college didn't know! For example, on the first day of Bible survey class, the professor had all the students stand up and recite the books of the Bible in order...with our eyes closed, and sit down when we missed one. At the end, out of a class of 40 or 50, there were 3 of us standing! Thad knew as much, if not possibly more, of the Bible as I did and he had a strong relationship with God.
Easter weekend of 2001 I invited several friends home. I'm not sure exactly how many came, but I think there were 6 or 7 of us that made the trip to my parents house. I know that Justin, Scotty, Sarah, Thad and myself were there, but I remember we took 2 cars. I believe the other car was Travis, Steve and Abbie. Over the previous summer, I had hiked up Spensers Butte in Eugene with Steve (one of my guy friends). Being somewhat adventurous, we had bypassed the main trail and followed a game trail up the side of the mountain. It was so much fun that I decided to take my friends out there on Saturday for a hike. There was 1 thing that I over looked though. During the summer it was dry. It wasn't raining this weekend, but it was muddy and slick. We realized about half way up that straying from the main trail may not have been a good idea. It was steep, wet, and very slippery. We resorted to the buddy system in order to get everyone safely to the top. It was virtually impossible to make it up on your own. Of course, Thad ended up being my buddy for the hike and we helped each other along. When 1 of us fell down, the other was there to pull them back up. I won't say who fell down more or who had to help who more. ;)
When we got to the top, we kind of forgot that all our other friends were up there too. We spent most of our time up there sitting on a rock enjoying the view and each others company. I vaguely remember packing snacks and having a picnic with the group, but that really wasn't the part of the hike that stood out to me. It was on this day that it became evident to everyone there (except Thad) that something was happening. I was on cloud nine! I have no clue what my other friends did on the top of that mountain, and really didn't care at the time. Though they did sneak some pictures in when we weren't looking. :)
The time at my parents house was similar. Whatever the group was doing, Thad and I somehow ended up next to each other. We were together enough over the weekend that my mom pulled me aside and asked what was going on. I did tell her I was interested in him, but did not tell her I knew I was going to marry him. I'm pretty sure us girls had lots that we were talking about at night too when the guys were asleep!
The next morning was Easter and after the Sunday morning service, we rushed back to school to be back in time to work in the cafeteria. In the car, everyone was being silly (as college students usually are. They're like middle schoolers with drivers licenses and independence!) We were passing around cheesy pick up lines and laughing at how lame they were. I had a candy wrapper in my hand and said to Thad, "Will you hold this for me?" He said sure and held out his hand. Instead of giving him my garbage, I grabbed his hand. It was meant to be a silly joke, but he surprised me. I went to let go, and he tightened his grip and wouldn't let go! I looked over at him, and he smiled really big and closed his eyes pretending to be asleep. So I figured if he wasn't going to let go, I wasn't going to either! We continued like that in silence in the back of the car for about 10 or 15 minutes before Sarah got out her camera. I didn't want to be caught on film, so I jerked my hand free at that point. I spent the rest of the drive back silently wondering what was going on.
Obviously something was starting, but we hadn't really communicated about it. Before this weekend, I had thought that he still just saw me as a friend. Now I was realizing that we were at a point where he might be interested too. I decided we would have to talk about this soon, but didn't know when or if I should say something, or if I should wait for him to bring it up.
Easter weekend of 2001 I invited several friends home. I'm not sure exactly how many came, but I think there were 6 or 7 of us that made the trip to my parents house. I know that Justin, Scotty, Sarah, Thad and myself were there, but I remember we took 2 cars. I believe the other car was Travis, Steve and Abbie. Over the previous summer, I had hiked up Spensers Butte in Eugene with Steve (one of my guy friends). Being somewhat adventurous, we had bypassed the main trail and followed a game trail up the side of the mountain. It was so much fun that I decided to take my friends out there on Saturday for a hike. There was 1 thing that I over looked though. During the summer it was dry. It wasn't raining this weekend, but it was muddy and slick. We realized about half way up that straying from the main trail may not have been a good idea. It was steep, wet, and very slippery. We resorted to the buddy system in order to get everyone safely to the top. It was virtually impossible to make it up on your own. Of course, Thad ended up being my buddy for the hike and we helped each other along. When 1 of us fell down, the other was there to pull them back up. I won't say who fell down more or who had to help who more. ;)
When we got to the top, we kind of forgot that all our other friends were up there too. We spent most of our time up there sitting on a rock enjoying the view and each others company. I vaguely remember packing snacks and having a picnic with the group, but that really wasn't the part of the hike that stood out to me. It was on this day that it became evident to everyone there (except Thad) that something was happening. I was on cloud nine! I have no clue what my other friends did on the top of that mountain, and really didn't care at the time. Though they did sneak some pictures in when we weren't looking. :)
The time at my parents house was similar. Whatever the group was doing, Thad and I somehow ended up next to each other. We were together enough over the weekend that my mom pulled me aside and asked what was going on. I did tell her I was interested in him, but did not tell her I knew I was going to marry him. I'm pretty sure us girls had lots that we were talking about at night too when the guys were asleep!
The next morning was Easter and after the Sunday morning service, we rushed back to school to be back in time to work in the cafeteria. In the car, everyone was being silly (as college students usually are. They're like middle schoolers with drivers licenses and independence!) We were passing around cheesy pick up lines and laughing at how lame they were. I had a candy wrapper in my hand and said to Thad, "Will you hold this for me?" He said sure and held out his hand. Instead of giving him my garbage, I grabbed his hand. It was meant to be a silly joke, but he surprised me. I went to let go, and he tightened his grip and wouldn't let go! I looked over at him, and he smiled really big and closed his eyes pretending to be asleep. So I figured if he wasn't going to let go, I wasn't going to either! We continued like that in silence in the back of the car for about 10 or 15 minutes before Sarah got out her camera. I didn't want to be caught on film, so I jerked my hand free at that point. I spent the rest of the drive back silently wondering what was going on.
Obviously something was starting, but we hadn't really communicated about it. Before this weekend, I had thought that he still just saw me as a friend. Now I was realizing that we were at a point where he might be interested too. I decided we would have to talk about this soon, but didn't know when or if I should say something, or if I should wait for him to bring it up.
Comments
And your comment about college kids being middle schoolers with drivers licenses and independence... so funny... and true!