The Love Story of Dan & Marilyn

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

(KJV)

Graphic Design by Zach Smith

"The Love Story of Dan & Marilyn"

"The door of the church swung open just as the evening worship service had begun.  The movement of the door caught my eye and I turned slightly to see who it was.  In a moment’s heartbeat, the young man walked through the door with his striking dark hair, brown eyes, and dressed in a white shirt and black pants. In the moment I turned, his eyes connected with mine. We stared at each other for a split second, both taken aback by the emotion shared in a sweet splice of time. Then I quickly looked away, embarrassed that I should have engaged in such eye-to-eye conduct while worship service was commencing.  Closing my eyes, I tried to return my heart to worship, but the damage had been done.  Now all I could see were his big brown eyes and then the questions that flooded my mind… who was he? What in the world had come over me to feel this kind of emotion for someone I’d never even met?

Falling in love at first sight? Why yes, I’d heard of it many times, but never dreamed that this would be my story.  I was sure I’d marry someone I’d known for forever, and never had I dreamed that there could be such a thing as love at first sight, but that is just what happened to us.

As fate would have it, my sister took a liking to him right away, as well as other girls in the church.  He was new in town, had just started a job locally, and was looking for a church home.  His brother had mentioned our little church to him, telling him there were quite a lovely group of people meeting here, with plenty of young ladies his age.  Just recently released from the US Navy, he had had enough of world travel, having just returned home from being stationed in Italy.  His heart was yearning for a wife, a home, and a family.  Of course, he had plenty of choices in our little congregation, with the pastor’s daughter among them.  And indeed, she had taken a liking to him as well.

After seeing all the girls surround him with interest, I decided I wanted nothing more to do with such a scene, and brushed off our eye-to-eye encounter, thinking it to have been just a silly moment.  

A couple of weeks passed, and our new visitor had been faithful to every church service, and befriended my brothers.  My parents had invited him over to our home for Sunday lunch, and while I was kind to him, I never lavished any extra attention on him; my sister had taken care of that department.  She had her sights set on him and I had no intentions of tangling with that at all.

One evening several of our family and friends had gathered at our home to play some board games and some of my family were lovingly teasing him about which girl he had set his fancy on.  My sister began naming names, and pestering him to see who it was he liked.  Up unto this point, I had left the “chasing” up to the other girls and my sister. Finally, he said he was going to name the girl he really liked, and he turned, once again, and our eyes met, this time it was with a sweet knowing, and before he even spoke my name, of course I knew he really did care for me.

As the question was answered and he called my name, as if on cue, the rest of the family disappeared, and it was just the two of us left to visit together at the table.  Playing the dating game was over for both of us, and our hearts were sealed to each other’s from that night on.

Somehow in that very first moment when he walked through the church door, and our eyes met, the connection was sparked, our love for each other began, and we will celebrate 25 years of marriage together this year.  The Lord has been so good, and so faithful to us through the years, and even still, when his eyes meet mine, there is a special connection as our hearts continue to unite in faith, love and joy.

The Lord has blessed us with two beautiful children, and as we walk this road of life together, we are grateful for the hand of the Lord that brought our lives together in such a marvelous, love-at-first-sight way."

Bio:  Marilyn from Mountaintop Spice is an avid hobby photographer living in North Idaho who shares her love for photography with inspirational writings on her blog and with the writing group she is a member of.  Her love for the Lord and ambition as a writer began at an early age growing up in Prince Edward Island, Canada, the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery, whose writings were Marilyn’s childhood inspiration. Leaving the red soil of the Island, she married a Texan, and now lives in North Idaho in with her husband, two children, 20+ chickens, two dogs and the reigning king of the home, Mister Simba, the cat.   Marilyn enjoys seeking out beauty with her camera lens in the Lord's creation around her to share with friends, family, and the blogging community. She blogs at Mountaintop Spice.  Images from her photography can be found at Mountaintop Spice Photos.

A huge thank you to Dan & Marilyn for sharing their amazing "love-at-first-sight" story with us here!  SO inspiring and encouraging to read how God brought them together, how their love has only deepened through the years, and how the Lord has blessed them!  What a blessing their lives are to so many!  May God bless both of you with many more happy, healthy years together, Dan & Marilyn!

In case you missed them, you can read previous Love Story Posts by clicking these links:
The Love Story of David & Wanda
The Love Story of Michael & Karen
The Love Story of Kevin & Cheryl
The Love Story of Tom & Mary
The Love Story of Michael & Jordan
The Love Story of Ed & Sherry
The Love Story of Ed & Janet
The Love Story of Tim & Linda
The Love Story of Calvin & Michele
The Love Story of John & Chelsea
The Love Story of Tim & Regina
The Love Story of Rich & Tonya
The Love Story of Danny & Mary Grace