Happy Christmas!

The following means nothing in reminding me that the Holidays are upon us:

• Ben telling Mom what he wants for Christmas.
• Christmas decorations being up in the mall, on the streets, etc.
• Christmas music on the radio.
• Christmas movies on Lifetime.
• The fact that I am shopping for Christmas presents.
• The weather.
  

However, these things DO remind me that Christmas is near:

• The lights in my window are up.
• I am going to get a Christmas tree.
• Kids are rehearsing their Christmas pageant at church.
• The Advent calendar is going up and Ben is sneaking candy out of it.
  
• A Tuna Christmas is happening at the Springer...again.
• The middle-aged ladies in my life have pulled out the Christmas sweaters.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving 2008 was a wonderful one despite being one sick girl. I spent most of Sunday-Wednesday on a couch. It didn't really matter which couch or whose couch I was on as long as I could lay down and hack the day away.

Wednesday night I transported myself from my couch to my mom's couch. Thursday was full of family, food, friends, and films. I spent the day at my parents house. We invited a family from my parents' church to spend the day with us. After the food was eaten and the leftovers put away, everyone headed to the movies. Mom took the little ones to see Bolt, the older kids went and saw Australia, and I headed out to see Twilight with some friends home on Thanksgiving Break.

This Thanksgiving, I found myself thankful for more than I deserve. Along with my material needs; house, food, care, school, etc..., I find myself thankful for things that you can't see but feel with your whole heart. My family and friends, my country, the fact that my problems and grievances are so small compared to what they could be or to what other people experience. I am loved by the people that matter and I am always taken care of by my Heavenly Father. I have friendships that are lasting and those people are blessings that are far more than I could ever ask for.

God Bless Fort Benning

God Bless Fort Benning is an annual event where we take a day to thank the men and women who serve our country. The Springer always takes stilt walkers. I don't really have a lot to say about the day. It was one that left me a bit speechless. You can read what the Ledger Enquirer wrote. They say a picture says a thousand words. Here are a couple from yesterday.

Mr. Don

I am sitting at my parents house, my tummy full after dad's excellent meal of hamburgers and homemade french fries, and enjoying the company of my siblings, parents, and a dear family friend, Don Dunstch.

As I sit here typing away, surrounded by the sounds of Texas Tech playing Oklahoma, Ben's play by play of the game, and general buzz of the Garcia house hold, I am once again reminded of how blessed I am. It was this time last year that Mr. Don was here visiting from Colorado. Only two weeks before, I had rededicated my life to the Lord and, in God's perfect timing, Mr. Don had come down for his annual hunting trip. A little background, Mr. Don is one of Dad's dearest friends. They were stationed at Ft. Benning together. Mr. Don is a huge spiritual encouragement in my dad's life and has become the same for me. He and his wife, Susan, have a ministry in Denver, Colorado called Quest Ministries. They have a community of folks who meet with them in their home every week. Don is a physical therapist. God has given his an incredible personality that draws people to him and he is constantly in the position to share the gospel with those around him. Mr. Don came to know the Lord through Young Life. What an awesome encouragement to me, as a Young Life leader. He lives in Denver, which is about 110 miles from Buena Vista, Colorado where Frontier Ranch is located.

I am grateful that God has placed people like Mr. Don in my life. I am grateful for Mr. Don's insight and wisdom, his ministry that not only ministers to those in Colorado, but to people like me who gain encouragement and insight for their own ministries.

Siblings

**For the next few days I am going to share some things I am most thankful for. Here is Thankfulness: Part One.

Caroline Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Mary Louise, Jesse Thomas, Joseph William, Katherine Suzanne, and Benjamin Clark Garcia are the best gifts that my parents could have given to me. These kiddos are lovely, brilliant, witty, talented, compassionate, and gracious human beings who have blessed my life beyond compare. I adore them and although I am not the world's greatest big sister, I hope they know how much I love their company, friendship, and the fact that we share the same D.N.A..

Caroline is so very talented and has a heart that I wish I could imitate. She is one tough cookie. Sarah Ann is a one of a kind. She is BRILLIANT, hilarious, and independent. Her strength is something that I admire and covet. Mary Lou is tenderhearted, stubborn, and outspoken. She loves with everything she has and without holding back. Jess is the big (little) brother that I have alway wanted. He is protective of his sisters and I love that about him. Joe is so sweet and compassionate. I can alway count on him for a hug and an "I love you, T!". Katie is the true independent in our family. She is just as content to play alone as with others. She is sassy and sweet all mixed together. If you look up the definition of "Youngest Child", Ben Garcia's face is all you need. Ben is a sneaky little booger, but he has the sweetest heart. He is a hard worker, extremely loyal, and puts his little heart into everything he does.

I am so very grateful for these seven people.

Rush, Rush, Rush

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Ever. I love Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Arbor Day, St. Patty's, and the rest, but Thanksgiving is the absolute best. There are no expectations of anything except food, fellowship, and football. I enjoy the smells, sounds, and the general scene of the day.

Traditions in the Garcia household include watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade while putting the last minute touches on the house, cooking for hours on end, taking a pie or two to the nearest fire station, and going to a movie. The days that follow Thanksgiving are full of leftovers and Christmas decorations, but those don't come until after.

I feel as if Thanksgiving is becoming the forgotten holiday. We start seeing Halloween decor in August and before Halloween is over, we see Christmas lights at the mall. I hate that. If you read my post about the Christmas music on a local radio station, you know how strongly I feel about Christmas and it's place on the calendar. I just wish that we would all slow down for a minute and savor the entire holiday season and that includes Thanksgiving. I abhor the rush of the season. I enjoy the holidays so very much and I hate it when they are over. Why not slow down a bit?

For the next few days I am going to share specific things for which I am grateful and why. I hope you enjoy the read and I hope that encourages you to stop and think about the people and situations in your life for which you are thankful.

Inspiration

As I walked into work this afternoon, I walked past the scene shop. A bevy of noises were coming from the room that holds a large part of the Peter Pan set. Hammers, saws, drills, and oldies music spilled over into the green room. I smiled as I continued my way up the stairs, but paused when I looked back over my shoulder and saw Paul Pierce, the Artistic Director, bent over a set piece, hammer in hand. It was a deja vu for me. One of my most vivid memories of Paul is from 2002. We were in the middle of our production of Annie, which was my first main stage production at the Springer. Something had fallen off a set piece moments before the curtain went up. Next thing I know, Paul, in his tux, is standing in a chair, nail in mouth, hammer in hand, fixing the set. I remember being somewhat intimidated by Paul at the time and seeing him do what any stage manager, scene shop dude, or technician would do, made me that much more in awe of him, but brought him more down to the level of human being for me. It was just as normal to him to fix the set as it was and is to work on the budget, plan the next season, and sell big ideas to major companies. What a wonderful example of work ethic and humility.

This is one of the reasons that I love theatre so much. We all work together to make sure the job gets done. From the Artistic Director working in the scene shop to the Lighting Designer also designing sound and sending a tour out, we all do what it takes to make it perfectly wonderful for our audience. It wouldn't be possible without every team member.

Speaking of wonderful shows, Peter Pan opens the day after Thanksgiving and runs through December 23. Call the Box Office for tickets! 706.327.3688

Foundations

"You are not the person I thought you were." That kind of comment will take you aback, I don't care who you are. It takes you by even more surprise when you feel that you have been as open as a person can be.

I received this comment after a conversation about politics. I feel as if I have explained myself as best I can in that regard with my post on 11.06.08. I don't feel like I can explain myself anymore at this time. Honestly, I feel like Micah put it the best. The mere thought of a political conversation exhausts me. Politics in general I could handle, but defending where I stand and why makes me feel the need for a nap. But I digress. My point wasn't necessarily politics. My point is humans and what makes us who we are.

Inasmuch as the comment above was about politics when it was made to me, I am pretty sure that the same person would feel that way about me on a number of different issues and levels. My views on education, faith, religion, Christians, economics, Global Warming, homosexuality, morals, and ethics would most certainly startle some folks. Mostly because, in their own minds, it makes me not who they thought I was. I want to challenge that mindset.

As I continue to experience the new and different situations that life throws my way, my viewpoint changes and grows. My ideas are challenged and swayed. I believe that learning what you believe is a journey. Being open minded and willing to admit when you are wrong, when you have changed your mind, or chosen another path is called growing up. Please note that I said my ideas. Not my foundation. Just because I make a decision that differs from my family or close friends does not mean that my foundation has been cracked, moved, or changed in any way. I am still Theresa Garcia, daughter of the King. My foundation remains the same because I am His. My decisions are made based on my knowledge of His grace and mercy in my life. I have the ability to make decisions with a glorious mind because He made the glorious mind that has the ability to make decisions.

That being said, I am exactly who I have always been. Strong-willed, stubborn, independent me lives on. I am just learning to be more open-minded, loving, considerate, and gracious. Mixed in with all of that, I am growing some thicker skin and becoming the person has been inside me all along and is dying to come out.

Good Customer Service

Around this time last year, my BBFUD*, Melissa, called me and left a voicemail (which, by the way, I still have) where she was shrieking into my ear that Sunny 100 was already playing Christmas music. We expressed our displeasure about this untimely expression of Christmas cheer for weeks afterwards. This year, it was my turn to leave the shrieking voicemail. When I got into my car on Monday morning to head to class, I naturally turned my radio on. It was on Sunny 100 from the night before and the next thing I know, Jingle Bell Hop is playing though my speakers. Talk about irate. I couldn't believe that my favorite radio station was doing this to me. So, in true Theresa form, I wrote an email.

Dear Alan,

I am going to go ahead and say that I love Sunny 100. Even more so now that Boomer doesn't really exist and Sunny 100's music has become even better than before. I stay tuned in, except when I am listening to you on Rooster in the mornings. However, starting Christmas music on NOVEMBER 10TH, a full 18 days before Thanksgiving, is ridiculous. By the time that Christmas actually gets here, you are sick of the music even if you don't start it until the first of December. I am ok with it starting Thanksgiving weekend, but you have to admit that two and a half weeks before we even get to the turkey is a little crazy. I just can't take it.

Sorry to complain. But again, it's just too much.

Thanks,
Theresa Garcia

Alan Quinn is the Program Director. I had also just done a spot with him on Rooster 106.1 for a Halloween Special, so I felt like I could tell him what I thought. The next morning when I turned my radio on, I thought my email had worked. However, the 80's ballad I thought I was hearing turned into a weird 80's Christmas song. I promptly turned my radio to another station.

I am just not ready for Christmas music yet. I am sorry, but I can't bring myself to listen to it when Thanksgiving hasn't even arrived. It's too much for me.

I had stopped thinking about the silliness of Christmas music playing a full two weeks before Thanksgiving until this morning. I am sitting in my office, working away when I look over at my phone and see that I have missed a call. I have a new voicemail. The voicemail is from Jennifer Newman, the Marketing Director at Clear Channel Radio. Clear Channel owns Sunny 100 and Roster 106.1, among other stations. Jennifer says that she got my email and would like to talk to me when I get the chance. I laughed a little and called her back. A very pleasant sounding woman answers the phone. "Hello, this is Jennifer", the voice says. "Hello! This is Theresa Garcia", I reply. After a minute or so of "So glad you called!" and "Thank you for calling me back!", Jennifer sets out to explain why Sunny 100 had decided to start playing Christmas music so early. She said that because of the economy and heaviness in the air, they had decided to start spreading joy a little earlier this year. She noted that it had taken her a day or two to adjust to the fa-la-la-la-la's so early as well, but that she was now in the groove. I laughed and said that while I appreciated the reasoning behind the Christmas music playing 18 days before Thanksgiving, I wouldn't be listening quite yet. She understood and said that she looked forward to me listening when I was ready. Haha.

I thought the conversation was over, but Jennifer went on to say that she read my blog! How awesome is that! She wanted to talk about my political posts, which of course I was more than happy to indulge her in.

I have to say, even though I will not be listening to Sunny 100 (or Mix 95.7) until after Thanksgiving, Clear Channel Radio has exceptional customer service. I was not really expecting a response of any kind, much less a phone call from the Marketing Director. Kudos to Jennifer for her personal touch and kind words. No explanation was really needed and she went the extra mile. Thank you for that!

*For those of you who are unclear about the definition of BFFUD, it means Best Friends Forever Until Death. Ben Garcia came up with this term for his relationship with our sister, Sarah Ann. I have since stolen the term and made it my own.

Goodnight, Moon.

Thursday morning, Mr. Ron took Kern and I to Atlanta to see "Goodnight, Moon" at the Alliance Theatre. I wasn't sure what to expect not having read the script, however I was ready for pretty much anything.

It is always interesting to me to see how other people approach children's theatre. There isn't necessarily a right or wrong way, in my opinion. There are general guidelines that most choose to go by, but the parameters are broad.

This Thursday morning at the Alliance Theatre seemed much like a Thursday morning at the Springer. Buses were pulling up, children were piling out, and teachers were counting and recounting heads. Mr. Ron remarked with a laugh that kids in Atlanta look a lot like kids in Columbus. He is a clever, clever man. But, I digress.

We took our seats several minutes before the show and my attention went, once again, to the children in the audience. They were excited and fidgety. As soon as the house lights went down, so did the chatter and you could hear the "Ooos" and "Ahhs" as the drop revealed a starry night and a man in a night cap, partially hidden by some "clouds". This was the piano player. The curtain speech was a recorded voice, which in my opinion is an unwise decision in children's theare. An actual person should, in my opinion, come out and give the curtain speech, giving the children someone to focus on. This allows for a thorough explanation of what is expected of the audience. Considering the age of the children in the audience, it was quite possible that many, if not most, had never been to the theatre before.

The house lights dimmed once more and the starry night went away, revealing in it's place the great green room. I was more than a little awe struck at the exactness of the set. It was as if the picture in the book had come to life. The characters were charming, the music bright and inviting, and the special effects were just the icing on the cake.

The Bunny, in particular, had a stage presence that grabbed the kids attention. The mouse did little to nothing for me, while the Old Lady-who-whispered-hush had a voice that made me melt. Her rendition of "Goodnight, Moon" had me in tears. (Shocking, I know.) The Tooth Fairy, Larry, made an appearance and the actor playing this character was just great. His deadpan humor and exceptional comedic timing helped to move the show along and secure him a place of admiration in my heart. He was fantastic.

The special effects are something worth talking about. From the lamp that moved to the clock with eyes to the covers on the bed moving to the end of the bed to the fireplace decorations that came alive to the doll house, the cow that jumped over the moon, the bears in the picture and the man on the moon, the effects were phenomenal.

There was only one moment in the show where they lost not only the kids, but me as well. The mouse had a ballad and for whatever reason, be it her or the song, the kids began to fidget and squirm...and so did I.

Overall, a wonderful experience. There is still time to see this show, as it runs through this weekend. Click here for more information.

Happy?

I am carefully calculating the following words and the impact that they will inevitably have. Since this is my blog, I can rant about whatever I want to rant about and you get to choose whether to read it or not. Everyone will find something that they do not agree with in the following post. How awesome am I that I am making sure that no one feels left out in being mad at Theresa?

I have kept quiet on a number of political issue during the past year and a half. However, some comments and conversations have changed my mind on the subject of keeping my mouth shut. My mom told me the other day that Bi-Partisanship is taking the easy way out. That sissies remain bi-partisan and that I was not a sissy. She's right, I'm not. During a conversation last night, Kim remarked that another friend of ours was a Republican, but you respected her for it because she was open about what she believed and you couldn't argue with her. So, with all of this in mind, I am going to be partisan. I am going to tell you who I voted for. I am going to tell you why I voted for these people. And I am going to unashamedly stand by my words. I don't want any flack about it. I don't want to be berated for it. I don't judge your beliefs. I may not agree with you, but who am I to judge you based on what you believe?

Are you ready for this? I am not sure that you are, but here goes.

On the local level, I voted mostly democratic. Julia Slater, John Darr, Stephen Hyles, Alonza Whitaker, etc. I voted for these men and women for a variety of reasons. I know some of them personally and I heard all of them speak at political forums. They gave strong, levelheaded, detailed plans for what they planned to do while in office. I was impressed with them and voted accordingly. State level, I did not vote for Saxby Chambliss because of the bailout vote. I voted for the Independent. I voted for Seth Harp for Georgia State Senate. He has been effective in past terms and I have confidence in him for the coming term. I know that none of you really care about any of the previous candidates that I named. You all want to know who I voted for in the Presidential Election and I am getting there. I want to say a few things first and I want you to read it before you scroll down to see who I voted for.

I am against abortion. I believe that it is wrong. The bible is explicit on murder and when a baby becomes a person. Although I have never been raped and impregnated by that rapist, because of these beliefs that I have, added to the mother in me, I cannot imagine killing the baby inside me. Adoption, yes, although personally, I would find that difficult as well. Please don't take this to mean that I think that the adoption part is wrong. No!! I am saying that personally, I have a hard time putting my mind around it.

I am against big government. The constitution is extremely detailed as to the job of the government and it's role in our lives. Read it and you will see. I don't think that the government should tell tell doctors how to practice medicine, tell small business owners how to run their business, or tell parents how to raise or educate their children.

I am for tax breaks and lowering taxes. I know that taxes are necessary and I am not against paying them. Obama's tax plan won't be great for my family. However, it won't be terrible. It will take away the break that G.W. gave us and put us more in the Clinton-era. Not all bad. The economy flourished during Clinton's time in office.

There are other issues that I have opinions on and if you ask me, I will share with you what they are. If I don't have an opinion, I will be honest and tell you. I don't have all the answers and I haven't made up my mind on everything out there. Even some of the important issues. However, the issues that I do understand and know about, I will talk about and share my thoughts on.

And now the moments you have all been waiting for. Who did Theresa vote for? Drum roll, please!!!!

I voted for John McCain. No one is really surprised, I know. I voted for McCain mostly because of his position on domestic issues. I will also admit that part of voting for McCain was because that was what was expected of me. Not very gutsy of me, huh? I regret not being more assertive with my voice and opinion. I regret being scared of what my friends and family would think of me if I voiced my true feelings.

I don't consider myself a Republican or a Democrat. I consider myself a moderate with conservative leanings and I am ok with that. I am confident in my beliefs. I will defend my beliefs and if I don't have an opinion or just don't know, I will be honest and tell you.

Happy? You know who I voted for. You know why. If you have questions, I will answer them.

Really, Ralph?

This is too much, really. Thank you, Shep, for not letting Mr. Nader get away with that comment.



Watch this to the end.

11.04.08

I wish that I knew exactly where to start. Tuesday was a day full of new experiences, good and bad, and a day that I won't forget for a very long time.

I arrived at the precinct that I was assigned to for our local election campaigning around 7am. I was only there for about 20 minutes when woman rolled down her window and yelled out some nasty remarks. Great way to start the day. I was there until about 9am, leaving only to get my cup of election day coffee that Anthony got me from Starbucks and meet my mom at the next precinct on our list. After standing on the corner of Macon Road and Auburn Avenue for over an hour, I was off to grab a bite to eat and take a power nap. With both of those things accomplished, I was back on the streets waving, smiling, and counting down the hours until it would all be over. This is where it became somewhat exciting for me personally. A poll worker came out and asked me to leave because she said that I could not campaign in front of the precinct. The law states that I must be 150 yards away from the door at which the polling is taking place. I was well over 150 yards away. I stated the law to the poll worker and remarked that I would be more than ok if she wanted to call downtown to have someone come measure and/or explain the law. She did not take this very well. She made a phone call while I stood there waiting. She talked in a hushed whisper, with her back to me. When she hung up, she turned around with a smug look on her face. She told me that that law stated that I needed to be 150 yards from the wall of the building. I corrected her once again, remarking that even if that were the case, I was well over the required number of yards away from the building. I stated once more that I would be happy for someone to come and measure, but that I would not leave. She got pretty huffy at that point and said that she had asked me to leave and if I couldn't do that..."Then what?" I asked. "I am far enough away and this obviously is not about how far away I am. You don't want me to campaign. " She walked off at this point. I was there for another hour and she never came back out. I was half expecting the police to come and try to arrest me. However, I did not need anyone to come and post bail for me.

I deserved a hot shower after my long day on the campaign trail. That and I don't think that anyone wanted to smell me. I rushed home to shower and change before the little shin-dig that we put together for my Uncle Terry. We all met at the hotel and waited anxiously for the local news coverage that never happened. I swear, there is zero point for the severely under-talented newscasters of Columbus, Georgia to break into ABC and MSNBC's professional coverage to tell us who is winning the National Election. Please. Local news happened once and then the numbers stayed the same for the next three hours. There will be letters to the editor about this one. After hours of knowing nothing, we packed up and headed home. Later, I found the number to the elections office and called every half hour to get the latest numbers. I know that poor lady was tired of hearing my voice, but dag-nabit, I was mad. We lost. Big time. However, 22% of the vote for a first timer is not bad. Plus, it was a three person contest and the vote was split by Steve Miller. I am not entirely disappointed with the outcome.

After watching the outcome of the election with friends and eating at Denny's, it was time to call it a night. I laid awake for awhile thinking about the impact that this elction would have on our nation and the world as a whole. Our President-Elect, Barack Obama remarked that "We are, and always will be, the United States of America" and that " In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people." Regardless of party affiliation, we are the United States of America. We are a nation that has disagreed on many an issue and after 232 years we are still here, still a democratic nation, and still operate using the same documents that our founding fathers left us with. I was listening to Rush Limbaugh this afternoon and he said that this is not the time to abandon what you believe. This is not the time to stop fighting for what you think is right. This is the time to pull together and make it work. If you didn't vote for Barack Obama, this is not the time to throw your hands up in the air and ignore the issues for the next four years. It is a time to pay attention, be involved, and work together with your neighbors to make sure that President-Elect Obama has a presidency that is successful for the American people.

It was an interesting and historic night for our nation. I am celebrating the historic nature of the night and thankful that we live in a nation where all men are created equal and that the people have a voice. Last night proved that we really do live in a nation of democracy. The people voted and they got what they voted for. That is something to celebrate regardless of party affiliation.

My Way

Ever heard the song "My Way"? It was popularized by Frank Sinatra in the 50's, although it was a French song originally and the French version has little to do with the English translation. But, I digress. The song is about a man who is dying and is looking back over his life. He says that he has lived a full life and each moment, planned and unplanned, has been precious and crucial to who he is. He talks about regrets and tough moments and how through it all, he did it his way. An interesting song. Not one that I am fond of. I don't like the melody. However, it helps me in making a point.

This plan that I have talked about in several posts, is just that. A plan. It is not set in stone. It is not something that I am married to, so to speak. It is merely a guideline for where I think I would like to go. It helps me to stay on a track of some sort. How does this connect to "My Way"? My plan has nothing to do with anyone or anything other than me. Sounds selfish, I know. But hear me out. What I mean is that this plan, solid or not, is based on ideas, hopes, and dreams that belong to me. The profession that I choose, the city that I choose to do it in, and the way that I plan to go about it, are all ideas and choices that I have made and come up with on my own. Yes, there are outside influences. There always are. But, the plan is based on what I feel is right for me. I'm doing it "My Way", if you will.

Again, how does this relate to the song "My Way"? Read the lyrics.

And now, the end is near; And so I face the final curtain. My friend, Ill say it clear, I'll state my case, of which I'm certain. I've lived a life thats full. I've traveled each and every highway; And more, much more than this, I did it my way. Regrets, I've had a few; But then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do And saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course; Each careful step along the byway, But more, much more than this, I did it my way. Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out. I faced it all and I stood tall; And did it my way. I've loved, I've laughed and cried. I've had my fill; my share of losing. And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing. To think I did all that; And may I say - not in a shy way, No, oh no not me, I did it my way. For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught. To say the things he truly feels; And not the words of one who kneels. The record shows I took the blows - And did it my way!

That's one way of looking at the kind of life I want to live. I want to live a life that is full. I want to have traveled as many roads as possible. I want to laugh and cry, gain a little, lose a little. I want to live well. The plan involves living well doing a variety of things, in a variety of places. We'll see what happens.

My Love Story

Caroline and Liz have been journaling their love stories and I had said that I wanted to do it too. However, time does not seem to be on my side. So, instead of journaling the same way that my sweet lady friends are, I am going to use my favorite method and write it here.

I am sure that you are thinking that by "love story" I am talking about my "l-o-v-e" story. However, I am talking about the love story that was written for me before the beginning of time. The one that started with a man who gave his life for me. What girl doesn't want to know that the man who is pursuing her would give his life for. Well, I found my dream guy because this man loved me so much that he died the most painful death imaginable to save me. He died on a cross for me and we hadn't even begun our relationship yet. That is love!

Let's start where I actually come into the story. It all started in April 30th, 1988. I was born. Crazy, yeah? That my love story starts then? Well, it does, so stick with me. My parents kept telling me about this guy. They would read me stories about him, sing songs about him, encourage me to talk to him (even though I couldn't see him), and take me to hear other people talk about him. And they weren't the only ones. My grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, and friends all talked about this guy all the time.

I distinctly remember a Sunday morning when I told my dad I wanted to be in a relationship with this guy. I was five. WHOA. I'm sorry, what? That's right, I was five. And my dad said ok. This is getting crazier, I know. Here's the thing, we still hadn't met and wouldn't for a long time. We talked a lot, but we never saw one another. Very long distance thing going on here. Stick with me, OK? I promise this story rocks.

Years went by and I would tell people I was in a relationship with this person, but looking back, I think it was more because my parents wanted me to be and not something I was really into. High school was weird because we were still in a relationship, but it was off and on. I couldn't make up my mind.

One day, when I was about seventeen, I met someone that I really liked. His name was Jared. And the funny thing was, my relationship with the guy I had been with since I was five became even stronger. We talked a lot more and I spent a lot of time reading love letters that he had written me. Still, I was really digging Jared. It turns out, Jared wasn't all I thought he was and I broke up with him. But guess what? That guy from before, he was still around and he helped me get back on my feet. We picked up where we had left off.

It wasn't long after that mess, that he introduced me to this guy named Ben. This was the beginning of my first, honest to goodness, real life romance. I was in love. For real in love for the first time in my life. For the first time in my life, I was willing to give up everything I knew, loved, wanted, and needed for someone else. I had never known love like this before. I was loved in a way that I had never experienced and I knew that this is the way that I wanted to feel forever. Ben seemed to feel the same way. And I know that he did at the time. We began making plans for our future and before I knew it, almost two years had gone by and we were engaged.

I am sure you wondering what happened to the guy that gave up his life for me. Where did he go? Well, to be honest, I kinda dumped him. Ben and I were so happy and while we did talk about him, it wasn't as much as we should have. We thought we had everything under control. Well, we didn't.

Neither one of us were as happy as we pretended to be. I was searching for something and during the month of October in 2007, I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Ben's mom, Lou, sent me a devotional via email. It was about a woman named Martha and how she had a special, intimate relationship with the same guy that I had been in a relationship with before. The devotional talked about how their relationship was so intimate that Martha knew she could ask for anything and he would give it to her. She was searching for something and he was the answer. This made the wheels in my brain start spinning. Before I knew it, I was revisiting those love letters he had written me so long ago. We started talking again and I was excited about our new found relationship.

The first Sunday in November was like the straw that broke the camel's back. All through Sunday School and Church, I was convicted of my incredible need for this man in my life. I knew that I had been wrong to dump him before. I spent a lot of time talking to him again and got back on the same page. For the next little bit, all I could talk about was him and I wanted to tell everybody that we were back together. Even Ben was excited. I was happier and that was what he wanted to see.

Now, this guy, he has this knack for timing everything perfectly. Three weeks later, my world was rocked when Ben announced that he needed a break. I was devastated. However, the man that had been there through it all made no exception this time either. He was there to comfort and console me.

Ben and I talked and talked and talked. Nothing was coming to a conclusion. In fact, it was getting longer and longer. Then, we were talking less and less and I began to realize that this was the beginning of the end. You know what that other guy did? He made sure that I had friends, family, and plenty of activities to fill my time. He made sure that we spent a lot of time together, talking, writing love letters, and thinking. He told me that He would never leave me or forsake me. He told me that He was enough for me. He told me that He would play the role of my husband, father, and best friend.

What is this awesome guy's name, you ask? Jesus. I'll give you His number. As committed as He is to me, He is very open to being in relationships with other people.