Plus I was challenged by Amanda to blog, not just post. This has almost always been my goal. But I have to rewrite this post to get there today.
I don't know where the time has gone. Seriously-I don't.
Mr. Hippie and I are approaching our 11th anniversary in another week or so. And really the time has flown. We were figuring out though, that we have known each other almost half our lives now. Wow! Give it another year or two, and that mile stone will be reached.
To some, I am known as Mrs. Veenstra, and now he is aka Mr. Hippie.
And neither of us would have it any other way. (though he is not convinced that he should change our roofing business name to Hippy Roofing. It would be unique. But, there are hip roofs-so it would fit. Hmmm...)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears of all my life...
I remember the first time I remember meeting Mr. Hippie. (we think we may have met the summer before, but it didn't make an impression on either of us.)
I was good friends with his sister, whom I had met at youth group. We were having our annual youth group Christmas banquet. There were some empty seats...because Mr. Hippie's fam was late.
Everyone else had eaten dinner, and we had started caroling. And I was playing the piano. Because that was my youth group job.
And all of a sudden,
But in their midst was an unfamiliar face.
Tall, blonde, and with the most gorgeous blue eyes ever. No joke.
And I fell in love. With those eyes.
I don't know what about them drew me to him-but his eyes are a light blue. Kind of sparkly. (maybe it was the braces)
We finished the caroling, and I went to sit in my seat. Only, a tall, blond, blue-eyed Dutchman had absconded my seat. Snort...chair stealer. I found another chair. And the banquet continued.
Fast forward through the evening activities to the gift exchange game.
My smart aleck brother had gotten grounded from the banquet for some infringement, but sent his gift with me. It was a Judd cassette tape. (this was in the ice ages before cds)
Not a problem. Unless you are a "super spiritual guy" who thinks that country music is of the devil. (ice age opinion-no longer applies)
The bff and I had went Christmas shopping a week or so before. She had told me about the new Veenstra boy who was home from a stint in Indianapolis working with some ministry.
She described a really godly guy. Someone who was ministry minded. Very godly. She said he was tall. Pretty good looking.
I pictured in my mind a typical tall, dark and handsome guy. This tall, blond, blue-eyed guy kind of threw me for a loop.
Regardless, I knew he was "super-spiritual" and he had ended up with the Judd's cassette. And I was mortified. Absolutely mortified. I do the whole beet red thing when I am embarrassed.
I apologized. He was gracious. I was red. And engraved in his memory forever.
A few weeks later I whispered in his ear for a New Year's Eve game of Telephone, and he thought I was such a precious girl???
Oh well. That was the auspicious start..It took another 3 years before we became anything more than very casual friends.
And I'm still in love-with his eyes.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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