Divine Choreography

Yesterday was Trent's birthday and in celebration of the big event I put together a slideshow thingie called "Trent, THIS IS YOUR LIFE." It was pretty awesome and you're probably a little sad you missed it, but if you ever want to stop by to visit, I'll show it to you.

In the throes of preparing for it, I ran across these two pictures. They are of me and Trent, taken in 1988, right as we were about to begin our Freshman year of high school. Yes, there is so much (so very, very much) to discuss about these photos--the least of which is that Trent's hair is rivaling mine in size and shape--however, I can't ever look at these photographs without a couple of deep thoughts coming to my mind.

Trent and I went to the same high school. We probably stood in the same line at freshman orientation to get our pictures. It was 20 years ago and I was just 14 years old and the man I married was standing right by me.

In fact, for all of high school, he was by my side. I just didn't know it. Well, that is to say, I knew him, and he knew me, but did we think we were going to fall in love and get married and move across the country and have kids together? Never once crossed our minds. Ever.

We have it on pretty good authority that we sat by each other in AP English (I say that because our friends sort of remember us sitting by one another, but we can't quite recall it ourselves. Unless, he's that guy that turned around and told me and Jenny Reeder to please be quiet. I have a vague memory of some blonde kid doing that. Snotty boy). We both remember being at the State Championship football game and running out onto the field when our school won. We can recall the choir concerts and the school plays. We just have no memories of experiencing them with one another.

It's sort of an amazing story. I searched high and low for the man of my dreams. It took me a little longer than I originally anticipated to find him. And yet, he was there all along. When we finally met via my best friend Steffani who recognized him as 'the one' the moment she saw him at a choir reunion and set us up on a 'blind' date --I found out he lived less than 3 miles from me. Like I said before, I was searching all over and he was right in front of me.

So, I can't help but look at these pictures of our little 14 year old selves and want to whisper to them (particularly to me): "He's right there. Right in front of you. Keep the faith. You'll find him when the time is right and it will be perfect. So hold on for a little while. It's okay."

That's the best part of seeing the circles of grace in our lives come complete. What we can't see or understand today, someday we will. And we will marvel at the divine choreography that made it all work out for the best.

And in the end, we do live happily ever after. With awesome hair.