Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Anniversary (04/11/05)
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TITLE: All Those Years Ago | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robert McFaddin
04/15/05 -
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Anne smiled and gently rubbed Lee’s hand.
“I remember that I didn’t know what to say.” She said as she remembered that night over thirteen years ago in the mall.
Now here they were back in that same mall. It hadn’t changed too much over the years, but just being there caused a flood of memories to come rushing back. Anne looked around as she remembered that special day from long ago as if it were yesterday. The day they met seemed like it had just happened.
It was August of 1988 when they met in a college class. Both had changed their majors from art but had kept it for a minor. This particular class was the last one they needed to fulfill the requirement for the art minor.
Anne was already seated at a table when Lee entered the classroom. His hair hung to his shoulders and a scraggly beard covered his face. An old t-shirt with sleeves cut out featured caricatures of the cast from the old Gunsmoke television show. The seam between the collar and where the left sleeve used to be had torn, but was held in place by tying the loose ends in a knot. He wore old, worn cut-off shorts.
“What in the world is that?” Anne remembered thinking aloud to herself.
She was sitting next to a nice, clean cut student named Sam chatting when this big, hairy, thing came in and set next to him. Immediately the “monster” started talking with Sam about a Bible study.
“You’ve got to be kidding?” she thought to herself. “This ‘thing’ goes to a Bible study?”
Well, that was then. Sam and Lee invited her to the Bible study and she came. She and Lee became close friends over the next year. In fact, they became best friends. She moved to Columbus, Ohio – Lee to Cincinnati.
It wasn’t long before Lee realized God was telling him to consider Anne as more than a best friend. Lee began praying and talking wit his pastor and other friends. He did so for three years. All the while they stayed in touch via phone calls and visits.
Finally, he felt the time was right to tell Anne how he felt. She was coming to Cincinnati to visit and Lee decided that was the time. He sat nervously at a friend’s apartment where Anne was going to stay while visiting. It seemed like forever, but after only an hour she arrived. Lee jumped to his feet and helped her bring in her suitcase.
After talking for a few minutes Lee told Anne he needed to talk to her in private. She nervously said yes and they got in his car and drove to a nearby mall. Once inside he led her to a seat next to an indoor fountain. It sprayed water high in the air as Lee cleared his throat and told her how he felt about her.
“That was thirteen years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday.” Anne said as she returned her thoughts to the present. “You told me that you had those ‘feelings’ for me and that God wanted us to pray about dating each other.”
“Yep, and you just sat there saying nothing! I was dying inside!” Lee laughed as he sat back.
“Well… I didn’t know what to say.” Anne laughed. “But, it didn’t take too long before we knew God meant us for each other.” She said as she softly caressed Lee’s left cheek.
“Yeah, we met seventeen years ago this past August. I fell in love with you not too long after that.” Lee looked deeply into his bride’s eyes as she returned the loving gaze. “Thirteen years ago I told you how I felt about you. Later this year it will be our thirteenth wedding anniversary.”
“Happy anniversary Lee.” She whispered.
“Happy anniversary Annie.” He replied.
Lee gently pulled her close and kissed her.
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