Monday, June 14, 2010

Completing Him Challenge - Week #1


 

Good morning Ladies, and Happy Monday!
Today is Week #1 of the Completing Him Challenge.
Today's Topic - Captivate Your Husband.  Click HERE to read today's message (The purpose and challenges are in bold below) 

"May you rejoice in the wife of your youth.  A loving doe, a craceful deer - may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love" Proverbs 5:18b & 19

Consider: How much time do you spend on a daily/weekly basis cultivating your marriage now?  In what ways can you regain some of that has been lost in the daily shuffle of life?
I pray about this a lot.  We have only been married a little over a year, have no children, and it is still way too easy to lose "us" in the daily shuffle of life.  We both work, try to work out each day, and try to keep our house clean, and many days it seems that by the time we are done, it's time to go to bed!  I actually made a committment to myself yesterday, that I would not play on the computer (blogging or facebook) during our limited time together at night.  I'm not excited about this decision, but I think it's important to our marriage that we spend some quality time together.  Wish me luck!

Purpose this week - to do something that reminds your husband of the youthful wife you once were - maybe it's wearing something you know he loves on you (remember we dressed to please back in those dating days!), go somewhere you both used to enjoy going together - alone!, look at photos together talking, listening, dreaming, holding hands, rubbing his back, and simply paying attention to the amazing husband of your youth!  Treasure him this week!

Today, we are asked to share our dating pictures and story.  Our story is below, and a few random pictures from over the years.


At this time in my life, I had just graduated from college, and broken up with my college sweetheart, who ended up being a not nice guy.  Not at all.  He did some very bad things, and I was pretty certain that I wouldn't date anyone EVER AGAIN!  So dramatic for my little 23 year old self, I know, I know.  I decided that boys were trouble, and that I was perfectly happy spending time with my girlfriends, working, and visiting my family in Dallas as much as I could.  Life was great.  And then....

Hubby and I both worked for a rental car company right out of college. Hard job, long hours - but we both learned so much there. Anyway, my manager, whom became one of my dearest friends, was engaged to her college sweetheart, and, like all soon to be married girls, wanted everyone else to be getting married too. So, she had worked with Jeff before, and was telling me all about him and him all about me. I wasn't really interested in meeting anyone, I had an ugly break-up about a year prior and was not really interested in going through any of that again. But, to humor Julie, I agreed to meet him. He had a house on the other side of Houston, and she arranged for a BBQ there so we could meet. I bailed that morning. I just didn't want to go, it felt like too much pressure and I really, truly was not interested. She dropped the subject and was not thrilled with me, but she wasn't done scheming!

At the rental car branch that I managed, I did everything - including washing the cars (I know, the horrors!) I worked alone at my office, ran around there all day, and rarely took a lunch, so I was skin and bones. Literally, right under 100 lbs at 5'7. Yuck. Anyway, on this particular day, my clothes were huge (falling off really), I had ripped my blazer, and I had been rained on all day, so my naturally curly hair was HUGE! (what my husband now refers to as my 80's hair). Julie asked me to meet her for queso and margaritas. Of course I said yes! So, imagine my surprise when I arrived and a really cute boy was there with her. I was not pleased - but what can you do? Hubby now jokes that he knew I had "potential" even though I looked like a homeless person by that point in the day - ha! Turns out, he had come to a happy hour that I was at about a month prior, and he hid at the bar because he was scared to introduce himself. Silly boy. Well, that night at Ninfas was the start of a great friendship. Julie arranged many more of these meetings, with future hubby's encouragement. 6 months later, we finally kissed, and we have been together ever since.

After 3 years of dating, Jeff proposed on New Year's Eve.  It was a wonderful moment that I will never, ever forget! 


I am so blessed and thankful to God for sending me this wonderful man!!!



5 comments:

Homemaker Honey said...

Thanks for sharing your dating story. I'm participating, too. Stop by and read mine.

Please join me at my HELLO, HANDSOM! Blog Party June 21 - July 21

http://www.homemakerhoney.com/2010/05/hello-handsome-blog-party.html

Deborah
Homemaker Honey

Unknown said...

Such cute pics!
I made the "change" to not blogging or FB'g when my hubby was home. We too have limited evening time together. I'll tell you it was definitely difficult, and I still backslide ;o) But when you see the look on your hubby's face because you are totally, and intently listening to him.....it's priceless! And so worth giving up the social networks!
Be blessed!
Lisa

michelle ellis said...

Thank you so much for the encouragement Lisa, I appreciate it! I don't think it is going to be easy, but you are so right - I'm sure it will be worth it!

B said...

You are an inspiration! I totally agree with you. It's so hard not to get overcome by the everyday hustle and bustle. We get so busy that sometime's we are on-the-go all the way until bed time.

Tiffany said...

You guys are so cute! Thank you for sharing your story. Even as a newlywed couple you can easily see how the business of life can keep you from each other. So glad you caught it early! My hubby and I have two kids under the age of 4...so we totally understand busy.

Can't wait to learn more about you!