MEETING DAY– October 23, 2000
Monday, October 23, 2000 is a day that will remain forever
in my memory, as this was the day that I was introduced to a pretty little lady
name Jenalie. This coming less than 48 hours of me making a comment to James,
my roommate at the time, that I guess that it was just going to be him and me
for the rest of our lives. I also made the comment about Cade wanting me to
meet his cousin, and that I had no problem meeting anybody – if only if I would
have known what God had planned.
On that Monday, I had just finished football workouts and
was going to the “World Famous Bean” on the campus of Abilene Christian
University to link up with Cade to eat dinner – and meet his cousin. When we
got to the table that he had selected, Cade was specific about what seat he
wanted me to sit and had one of his friends there to sit in a certain seat, so
that would only allow Jenalie to wind up sitting across from me. I will never
forget the sight as she turned the corner with a look as she had just gotten
out of the shower. One thing that she told me of that day, was that the thought
crossed her mind on her way to dinner with no make-up on was “what if that guy
Brad is going to be there” – which I was. After she sat down, we talked for 2
hours - and then talked for another 2 ½ hours on the phone (she was in her dorm
room and I was standing in Moody Coliseum on a campus phone on the wall). Since
that time I was hooked.
THE QUESTION
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| Lighting the Unity Candle which symbolizes God's Unity of the Two of us becoming One |
After one failed attempt to get a hold of Jenalie’s dad, I
had to wait another day. On September 3, 2001, I was able to get a hold of her
dad – and let’s say I was not the calmest person on this call. I will never
forget his comment when I asked him for his permission, blessing, and Jenalie’s
hand in marriage – as his response was “I cannot stop a runaway freight train” and
received his blessing under two circumstances – I would always love her and
take care of her; and I understood that divorce is not an option”. I accepted
his conditions – and then went in the other room of the house, and proceeded to
ask Jenalie to marry me (after she found the ring in the house – which I had
placed on a shot glass in front of the wedding picture of my older brother and
his bride on the entertainment center in my room).
MARCH 16, 2002 – The Day
After only a few months of planning and hard work from our
friends and family, the day that I got to marry that my beautiful bride had finally
arrived. With the work of many of our friends and family, Hawley Church of
Christ was wonderfully decorated to perfection for a day full of blessing from
God. On this day we were blessed to be surrounded by our family and many of our
closest friends to celebrate the beginning of the rest of our lives together.
On this day we were married by God, through Emmett Miller,
with Keri as the Maid of Honor and TJ as the Best Man. We were also blessed to
have Angela, Kiesha, and Katie as Bridesmaids; and Matt, Bill, James, Andrew,
and Clint as Groomsmen. I am also thankful for the support, guidance, and love
from Miller family (Emmett, Pat, Terry, & Beth), as they treat Jenalie and
I like family from pretty much the day we met.
THE PAST 10 YEARS
Over the past 10 years, we have experienced many ups and
downs, but Jenalie has remained by my side through thick and then. I think the
first day that she saw me and probably did not know what to say or how to
approach me was only 8 days after we got engaged, that day being September 11,
2001. I was upset, mad, and speechless at times - as many people were on this
day. That evening we went to eat dinner and I obviously did not have the
greatest expression my face – and became very mad when the person at the place
made the comment to me regarding why I was not happy, as the events of that day
happened a world away – and my response was that it was my country (not in a
very pleasant tone). Jenalie quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me away and
calmed me down, at which time, I knew that she was with me and has remained by
my side through my years of military service, including my 2 deployments.
She has always been there by my side through the many different
things that we have experienced over the past 10 years. The things being
college graduations, military promotions and officer commissioning and 2
deployments, job changes/career changes, moves (8 of them), vacations (military
deployments do not count), purchasing of 3 homes (to include the newest one
that I have only slept in for about a 1 ½ months cumulatively over the past 9
months that we have had it), 7 half-marathons (all hers), deaths, living apart
due to job locations, and the birth of our wonderful daughter. I will tell that
all of these items seem to be happy events, which most of them are, but we have
had are struggles and she has remained by my side through all of my selfish
times and things that I have done.
PERFECTION BY GOD
No marriage is perfect, as we have had our struggles, but
what makes our marriage perfect is the commitment, unconditional love, faithfulness,
and trust that we give each other and allowing God to be a part of our lives
and marriage and leading us through all things. HE makes it perfect. God gave
me the perfect partner to live the rest of my life with and with HIM and
Jenalie, I have the support to make it through all things.
I always will remember the response that Ron gave me when I
asked him for Jenalie’s hand regarding divorce, because it is not an option.
Not that marriage is a game, but I was raised very competitive and to never
give up and play hard to always win – which means not giving up on marriage.
Through-out this deployment and in the past couple of years marriages has been
treated as it was nothing more than a junior high relationship – here one day,
gone the next, then move onto the next one. Unfortunately, over the past year I
have worked with people that talk about divorce and previous marriages
(sometimes multiple) like it is no big deal. It really pains me to hear people
talk like they do regarding their divorces and previous marriages, as God has
given us specific instructions regarding marriage.
I am thankful to have many friends who have given us examples
of God led marriages: the Pendergrafts (both couples), Dills, Norwoods, Millers,
and many others. I am blessed to have these and others that have greatly influenced
our marriage and lives over the past 10 years. I also pray that one day Jenalie
and I will be influential to young couples, just as many of our friends have
been to us.
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| 10th Wedding Anniversary Dinner at the Palo aboard the Disney (Magic) Cruise Line |
MY BEST FRIEND
I know that I do not tell her this enough, but Jenalie is my
best friend and the greatest wife and mother to our child that anybody could
ask for. I tell her everything (ok, except for some things regarding my
military stuff). She is the one that I can always rely on to take care of
things. She has made many sacrifices to make sure I was able to do things. She
is my forever love.
I will never forget March
16, 2002 – the day that I married that beautiful girl that I was
introduced to on October 23, 2000 – and look forward to the rest of our lives
together. I love you Jenalie.
