Wrapped in a Blue Bow: My Story Part 3

When I met Tanner, he often mentioned a friend of his from high school. Tanner had originally planned on joining the Marine Corps with his friend straight out of high school, but Tanner wasn’t accepted due to a medical condition of some sort. One day, we were both off work and were just sitting in the apartment, when Tanner mentioned that he heard from this friend. He was stationed at Camp Lejune in North Carolina, which was about a six hour drive from where we lived. I thought that it was nice, but life carried on as normal.

A little while later, I got a message from this friend. He asked me if he could come spend Christmas with us a surprise for Tanner. He had gotten a long weekend for Christmas, and since he couldn’t fly home to be with his family, he wanted to spend it with at least one person he knew. I agreed and was excited to plan this surprise visit. So this friend and I communicated bit by bit, planning a simple visit. He quickly told me of his strong faith in God during our conversations, and that pricked my spirit. He was so bold, in a non Bible thumping way. He drew me in, and I wanted to know this guy better. I actually missed talking about God a little, but I was still so skittish about anything revolving around God.

At my job, I told my coworkers about this plan and about the friend coming over. Eyebrows were raised as I talked about this friend. I talked about him so often and so differently than I ever talked about Tanner, and it was quickly noticed. I brushed it off as nothing, I was just excited for Tanner to reunite with his buddy.

Soon enough, December 23rd rolled around—the day the friend was coming. I sent Tanner out on a errand so the friend could be inside when Tanner returned. I was inside pacing, twiddling my thumbs as I waited. I felt nervous, and I had no idea why. Then there was a knock on the door, and my stomach did a flip. I went to the door, and opened it...

I wasn’t prepared for the wave that crashed into me. The air was sucked out of my lungs. In front of me stood the most handsome man I’d ever seen. He had a goofy grin on his face, but my eyes were drawn to the huge blue Christmas bow that sat on top of his head. Then, as audibly as a friend playing telephone with you, I heard a whisper. “Here he is. This is your husband.” 

I blinked. Uhhhh...no. I had to keep from bursting out laughing. You mean to tell me, after YEARS of crying and longing for my husband, You delivered him to me on my front porch, gift wrapped!?

There was just no way. I said no. I knew Who had whispered that. And I said no. There wasn’t a way that was possible. So I shook off the chill going down my spine, and welcomed the friend inside. I wrapped him in a hug, as my stomach continued to tumble like a washing machine mid cycle. He just laughed so freely as he sheepishly took the bow off his head.

“I thought this would be a good touch,” he smiled as his eyes looked straight into mine. “Well it’s so great to finally meet you...I’m Joe.”

Tanner arrived shortly after, and I sat quietly as they talked. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I actually snapped this photo of Joe as he swapped stories of Tanner.

My heart was captured at a single glance. But I just knew there was no way Joe felt the same way. So I stayed quiet. I accepted that my life was meant to be just the way it was. I was surviving. I was staying afloat. I wasn’t in love or even happy. I was okay. And that’s how it was supposed to be. 

But oh how wrong I was. The story was just beginning...