Kathy asked me to take the tortilla chips away from her.
"You sure?" I said with a smile.
She nodded, pushing the red Chili’s basket across the table to me. "I keep eating when I’m nervous."
“Oh, me too,” I said. “When I’m nervous, and really any other time.”
She gave me a slight eye roll and smirked. “Well then,” she pulled another chip from the pile, “help me finish these.”
That was 19 years ago tomorrow.
December 22nd, 2006.
Our first date.
One date for a lifetime.
But even though we connected quickly, I still doubted early on how long our relationship would last.
At first glance, we don’t fit the typical mold of most couples.
She’s 5’11”.
I’m 5’5”.
I had never once considered pursuing someone so much taller than me.
Just didn’t seem worth the effort.
In my experience, most women want to look up into their man’s eyes.
Not help him grab a box from the top shelf at the grocery store.
But with Kathy, our physical difference didn’t seem to matter.
She did admit to feeling some reservation about our height gap when we first started dating.
Yet it didn’t stop her from joining me at Chili’s.
Or joining me at the altar 5 years later.
My beautiful bride is a gift from God.
He does the unlikely for His eternal glory.
Kathy challenges me to be a better husband.
And a better father.
While still loving me for who I am.
Now we’ve built:
14 years of marriage
1 incredible 10-yr old son
A tight family rooted in the love and grace of Jesus Christ
Sure, we argue.
Sure, we have our moments.
Sure, I drive her crazy sometimes.
But the apologies, the forgiveness, the reconciliations come faster with each passing year committed to one another.
And most of all, to God.
Thank you, Lord, for Kathy.
There’s no one else on this planet I’d rather share my tortilla chips with.