The plans I made for my summer were drastically different from the ones God had laid ahead of me. 3 months ago, I was planning on working at a florist in the Houston area while living with my mom. I wanted to take it easy and just have a summer of fun. Todays marks 3 months of officially dating the man I will call my husband.
Joey & I met (a little over) 2 years ago when we both worked at Sky Ranch. I introduced myself to him and when I shook his hand and he said, "My name is Joey," I immediately replied with a typical answer for the girl I was 2 years ago: "Oh, you're going to love me. People named Joey always love me." While I thought this
would make an impression, it wasn't the wonderful impression I thought I had left. (Joey may or may not have told more than a few people that I was crazy and told him he would love me.)
Our friendship grew throughout the summer, as we were in "brother-sister" weekly bible study groups. Joey listened to me ramble through more than a few stories. He also refrained from telling me to shut up, most of the time. Haha. Joey let me ride to Wal-Mart with him the night of his 21st birthday, and just one short car ride and a walk around the store later, we realized how much we had in common. From the very beginning, we were not afraid to be ourselves around one another. We had superficial surface details in common, as well as similar lifelong passions. We began a friendship that would grow into God's beautiful plans for the future. There were a share of crazy moments, as each of us had a lot of growing up to do. It would have been a lie, but each of us would have said we didn't want a relationship back then. Things just didn't seem to ever fall together.
During a mini-roadtrip to Tulsa, OK with a girl friend, I stopped in to visit Joey and watch a Cowboys game. While watching the game, I learned about ice storms, as I was told my Joey's mom that I would have to stay in the guest room and leave in the morning. As Mrs. Duffy & I drank coffee the next morning, I was fascinated with what a wonderful mom she was and how well she loved her boys. There were so many things I saw ini her personality that I hoped I could be as a wife and mother. As Joey rushed me out the door, I looked forward to another chance to visit again.
Our second summer at Sky, we both branched out and made our own separate friends. We talked from time to time, which proved a good picture of God's power in each of our lives. Joey would pop into my office from time to time to crack a joke or leave an encouraging note on my desk. As the summer ended, we wished each other well.
We talked on and off throughout the next year, and when Joey told me he would be enlisting in the army, I was not happy about the idea. He called me one day in April and when I picked up, he said, "Hi, Will you marry me?" This is an ongoing joke between the two of us. The night we went to Wal-Mart, I decided we had too much in common to not get married. From time to time, we make jokes and ask each other if we would like to get married. I replied with the usual: "I'm busy today, but maybe tomorrow would work." We talked about him leaving for basic training and he asked if I would start writing him letters, because it was his only means of communication while in BCT. I told him I would and we talked a couple more times before he left.
My first letter to Joey was about four pages long and laid out all the reasons I loved our friendship, as well as all of the reasons I was against a long-distance military relationship. I (anxiously) awaited my first letter, in which Joey listed so many things he missed about me, our friendship, and a short list of reasons I should consider marrying him. We spent the next 12 weeks writing letters. I wrote every single day and nearly ran to the mailbox hoping for a letter each morning. He wrote as often as he could while training. He would call for a few minutes on Sunday afternoons, and update me on how he was holding up as well as informing me of the plans God continued to lay on his heart for our relationship. (It was amazing to see how God laid out the same plans in the hearts of two people so far away and with no contact but letters.) The end of BCT was coming and I had already arranged to visit Fort Sill in Lawton, OK for the weekend to see Joey graduate and catch up with his family. He called me on May 25th and finally asked me what I meant when I signed my letters "I love you." He told me he loved me too and he knew this was where God wanted us to be. I went to Lawton to see Joey graduate, never so proud to see a group of soldiers in my life. Tears well up in my eyes every time I heard him talk about God's calling for him to serve in the U.S. Army. He has such pride in the commitment he has made to serve.
He went to AIT (still at Fort Sill) and we continued to grow and discuss where God was leading this. I had no doubt in my mind, this was the man that God had for my life.
Hello All. This is everyone's favorite fiance, Joey. I am highjacking this post to finish it up! Time for some style, suspense, salutations and maybe even some romance...if time allows. So as things between me and Jackie became more serious, I realized that I loved this girl and wanted to spend my life with her. So not long after we picked out a ring, I began planning a proposal. Not really having any idea where to begin, I enlisted the help of one of Jackie's closest friends, Ellie. All I knew was that Jackie wanted pictures of the actual event so I started there. Ellie and I decided that we would convince Jackie we were all going to take pictures and then I would suprise her.
I began hammerinig down details, lines, props and the whole mess. I also simualtaneously began to lie to Jackie (as all good proposals begin) telling her I would probably propose sometime after Christmas, the next time I knew I would get time off to see her. (She bought it.) Ellie began to also drive home the idea of December, so the lady was convinced. As August 20th rolled around (the predestined date to meet her whole family) I began to step up the lying, that the ring was getting resized, that I didn't want to take pictures with her and Ellie (An idea which Jackie introduced to me as her idea. Man it was great!) I traveled to Baytown, met the family and friends, and kept thinking of reasons to get away from Jackie so i could show everyone the ring in my car, and tell them the whole plan. Saturday came and I met and talked to her father. (That great talk that every young man looks forward to having one day.) Once I recieved his blessing, I knew it was time to move forward. Sunday morning rolled around. I was nervous and quite (and oddity for all who know me) We get to the waterfront (Jackie's backyard) and set up for pictures. I tookseveral of her and Ellie first. This totally destroyed her suspscions that a proposal might be happening. (Plus she was looking out for the box that the ring came in.) I was of course prepared with the ring in my pocket. After a pleathera of "best friend pictures", Jackie and I began our pictures. After quite a few I got down on a knee to give her flowers we had bought earlier. I then claimed to have a call and reached in my pocket. The entire time Jackie, oblivous to the world, continuously tries to sit on my lap, and becomes confused/irritated when I keep pushing her away. Finially I got the ring out. She immediatly stopped talking. I don't remember what I said in the moment, but I am sure it was poetically brillant, full of great metaphors and alliteration. I wrapped it up with the mandatory, "Will you marry me?" She said "Yes." I said, "Really?" and she laughs and said "Yes." I then inform her that the pictures were my idea and that Ellie had been a willing participant all along. She was totally suprised and it was a great success. Rock and Roll
Jackie again. Thank you to all of our friends and family for your love and congrats the last few days. It has been a whirlwind of epic heights. We can't wait to see where and how God leads this journey. We can only remember that He is good and does all things for his glory. Wish us luck as we continue this journey and begin planning our life together.
Love love love,
Jackie & Joey
