M, M, & M: Sistahs Before Mistahs

For some people, love comes swiftly, like getting hit over the head with a ton of bricks. They glimpse each other from across the room and in an instant they are swept off their feet. Love at first sight.

For others, love comes softly. A smile, a laugh, a shared opinion. Little moments of friendship blossom into the beautiful flower of love.

That's how it happened for Dave and I.

But I'm getting ahead of myself...

I graduated from high school in May of 2002, and unlike many seniors, I was ready for college almost the second I flung my cap in the air.

I was headed to a tiny Bible college in suburban Iowa which I realize sounds like a terribly exciting and dangerous place full of adventure *cough* but in reality, it was a nice, quiet, safe place where I would get my first taste of independence.

Well, as independent as you can get while attending a school that has an 11:00 curfew and a classroom dress code that includes ankle skirts and pantyhose.

If you asked me, I would have told you that I wanted to wait things out, not get involved with anybody right away, develop good friendships, and just stay away from all of the boys for awhile.

Yeah. Right.

As much as I tried to downplay it I was excited -- thrilled -- to be in a place where there were boys! New boys! Boys who loved God! And *cross my fingers* cute boys!

If I had my way, I would have met my future mate the second my feet hit campus dirt, but God had different plans. In His infinite wisdom He knew He had a lil' bizness to take care of in my relationship with Him before I was ready for a relationship with anybody else.

And looking back, I wouldn't change it for a second. That first year I made friendships like I had never had before -- and haven't had since. I still treasure the times I spent with those girls making prank calls, giggling, ordering pizza at midnight, giggling, making up stupid dances, giggling, taking road trips, giggling, and staying up till all hours of the night talking about boys studying ;)

They are the kind of friendships that can only come by living with each other. Sharing the everyday moments -- the ordinary stuff that life is made of. We spent time together that I otherwise wouldn't have had if I had been dating someone.

Across campus, my future husband was forging friendships of his own...only with less giggling and more pizza.

And it wouldn't be long before our paths would cross...but that's a story for another day ;)

Head to Rachel's for more M,M and M!