the morning after the iron bowl

november 19th 2000

I was eighteen years old. A freshman at the University of Alabama. We hosted Auburn for the very first time (in 99 years) in our stadium, and cheered our hearts out despite our loss...and the freezing rain. My roommate, Ashley and I woke up exhausted. I had a call from Trai, a friend we met while visiting our dorm neighbors' hometown. He asked if I might meet him for lunch...and most importantly if I might bring Ashley.  Not the first lunch date for this "wingman girl". I rolled out of bed with a bad attitude, threw on a t-shirt and baseball hat without knowing that I was on my way to meet my husband. 

I met the man of my dreams at McAlister's. Maybe it was the wooden bead necklace, maybe the gelled hair but whatever it was I was hooked! ...and ten years later I'm still hooked. I can not remember who wanted to take this picture, or if we just stopped someone in the Tutwiler parking lot and asked them to take a picture of the four of us after meeting just hours before, but I am thankful for this picture. A tangible look at day ONE. We had no idea that was the beginning. The very beginning...of this love story I'm living.

I am thankful for the details God orchestrated that day. Again, thankful for a god who specializes in details.