Our Love Story ~ Part Two

Wait, wait, wait. Let's back up for just a quick sec. Before we move on to the good stuff I want to share just one precious comment spoken to me a couple of months before that fateful day almost seven years ago.

Ready? Here it comes.

At a family get-together, I was talking with a family member of a family member. (Which considering the size of my extended family could be the entire world, but I digress.) An older gentleman, I had known him just about my entire life. After chatting with him for a few minutes we got onto the subject of the life of a single mom. Something I was getting to know quite a bit about. He asked if I wanted to get married again.

"Absolutely" was my reply. I wasn't bitter against men at all and was praying for the chance to be married again. I was fine if it didn't happen, but I really hoped it would.

His lovely, edifying reply was something like "Well, I don't think you'll have any luck. No man wants a woman with a baby."

Isn't that just precious?

Fast forward to May 2, 2003:

That night, I was working out on the patio at Carrabba's restaurant. Ever been there? Still one of my favorites! Absolutely yummy!

Now, I'll admit that I was a little grumpy because the patio was not known to bring in good money. On the plus side, it meant you usually got to go home first and I was wearing my favorite purple tie, so it couldn't have been too bad.

The night proceeded slllooowwwlllyyy. We were on a wait for tables which is usually good for the patio server because that means more people willing to eat outside. *Even in May, Arizona can be pretty toasty.*

Customers came, customers went. No big whoop.

Until...

I greeted a table with two women, four men and one baby. I always played a little game in my head, trying to figure out who went with who (or should it be whom?). Usually, I was pretty good at it, but this table was a little tricky. All I know is that the baby was pretty cute.


That baby today, with one of the results of that providential meeting.

Tip #1 if you're a server: Comment on the baby. Cute or not, it will help your tip!

It helped that this baby was very cute. So, not being a shy kind of gal, I commented on how adorable he was. Then I mentioned that I had a little girl who was pretty adorable, as well. That's when the flood gates broke loose.

One of the women asked, "OH, you have a baby?"

"Yes, I do."

The other woman asked, "Do you have a husband?"

'Oh, my word.' I thought. What am I supposed to do?

Then I noticed, one of the men was visibly and rapidly sinking down into his chair.

Uh, oh.

Here's my reaction: "God will bring me a husband when He's ready for me to have one."

Where did this uncharacteristic boldness come from? Certainly, not me!

I don't even remember their responses, but I'm pretty sure they were stunned into silence. I turned quite quickly to get their drinks. Oh, yeah, they hadn't even ordered yet. Yikes! This could get very awkward. Oh, wait. Too late!

Throughout the meal, it became more and more obvious that they were trying to set us up. Who you ask? At that point, I couldn't even tell you because I hadn't been told his name. I think this poor man's face was permanently red throughout the meal. But he had a great smile, complete with a lopsided dimple. {sigh}

It also became obvious that they were "believers". I could tell by the way they prayed and we even chatted about church for some reason I can't remember now.

Skipping to the end of the meal...

I was going out the door to present the check (doesn't that sound so regal?), when I saw out the window that this poor man was sitting all by himself.

OH. MY. HEAVENS.

What I am supposed to do? Panicked, I immediately prayed like this, "Oh, Lord. I'm in big trouble. This guy is going to ask for my phone number and I don't know what to do. Help!!"

"Give it to him."

What?!

"Give it to him."

Deep breath. Okay, here goes nothing.

I think I made some corny comment about getting stuck with the check, which he embarrassingly chuckled about. I then practically ran back inside to take of his bill. STILL not knowing his name, I peeked at his credit card.

Hmmmm, an Irish name. Pretty lucky if you ask me.

Took it back out to him and then he said, "So, I'm sure it's pretty obvious that they were trying to set us up."

Uh, yeah.

"Do you think I could have your phone number and we could go out sometime?"

"Okay." (I know brilliant, right?)

Gave him my phone number on a cocktail napkin and handed it to him wondering if he'd ever really call. After all, I'd never done anything like this!

Chatted a little more, though we were both so embarrassed, I don't think I can remember much of what we said.

Dinner over. Back to work, Jamie. Though with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. I think there were even birds singing somewhere...

Later that night...

As unromantic as it is to write, I had to go to Wal-Mart. I know, I know, but I am a mama. I had to have diapers and apple juice or suffer the dire consequences. While there, I ran into a friend of mine who had waitressed at Carrabba's, too. She had walked through out the whole divorce with me and knew what a long process it had been to get me to where I was.

I told her what happened. Her eyes literally got as big as saucers.

"This is him" she said. "The guy you're going to marry."

Whoa, whoa, whoa. No marriage talk here. The guy forgot to tell me his name. I had to cheat and look at his credit card.

"Whatever. You're looney! It will never happen." (Let me tell you, she had quite a smug, self-satisfied smile on her face several months down the road when I walked down that aisle.)

To be continued...