“Call me on Thursday, and we’ll make plans.” I called on Thursday. No answer. I called on Friday morning. Still no answer. I called on Friday afternoon. Yep, no answer.

Finally, at 9:30PM, I got a call from her. “I’m walking out of a movie with my sister.” What?! We were supposed to go out. Don’t you know how much I like you? Don’t you know how long I have been wanting to have a date with you? I was polite; “Maybe we can do it another time.”

I had sat at the counter so many times and watched her make me the best strawberry milkshakes in the world. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met, both inside and out. And I was praying to marry her.

After skipping out on our date, I almost took the hint, but men don’t have a lot of chances to find a woman like this. It took me 6 MORE MONTHS from that phone call, but I got the date. A few months after that, she agreed to marry me (miracle!). Today, we celebrate 3 years together.

I have never met a more gentle, kind woman. Her faith amazes me, and her love keeps me.

Happy anniversary, Stephanie.