This week, the kids seemed to enjoy the stories I've shared about me and Pat's dating days. On what has turned out to be a harder Saturday than I was anticipating, I figured I'd blog and share a beautiful story with the prayer warriors.
Back in college, early 2000's, Patrick made his intentions very clear. He would tell me; "None of these guys really want to be just friends with you. They are just waiting for the right opportunity. So, I'm making it clear out the gate, God told me you were going to be my wife!" Being scrawny and friend-zoned all of my teen years, I had made it up in my mind that Keisha was for Keisha. I couldn't waste my time counting on anyone to be there for me. I had no space for disappointment or a broken heart. (I later attributed much of this to my own daddy issues, but I'll come back to that.) My plan was to work hard, study hard, graduate, and boss up. I was still able to do all of those things, and more in spite of the fact that love, marriage, and a family were not really on my radar. But Patrick was annoyingly persistent and very bold. He would show up to most social events to keep an eye on these guys who were claiming to be just friends. My roommates would walk past and snicker, "the preacher is here for you."
One particular day, a friend called and wanted to grab a bite to eat. Once we got to the restaurant and he said he was paying, I knew something was up. He started to tell me about his future plans and apparently wanted to officially inform me that after some thought, he realized that he would like to pursue a dating relationship with me. I was caught off guard, but it proved Patrick right. As I remember my response to this friend, I realize that it would foreshadow the next two decades of my life. I replied, "Oh, I'm sorry. But this, this with Patrick... This is it."
And that was it. Patrick was it. I told him many times, "It was either you or no one."
.JPG)
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