The Girl in the Polka-dot Dress

Nineteen years ago this week, I was on a trip with some friends from my home church in Canton, Ohio.  We went to Toronto, Canada to see The Phantom of the Opera at Pantages Theatre.  On the way home, we stopped for the night in Niagara Falls to see the falls and to keep from going home for another day.  It was a great trip with many memories, especially how beautiful Stephanie was in her polka-dot dress!

The best memory came, though, when we got back.  I had planned to propose to Stephanie Jo at Niagara Falls.  If you know my wife, that would have been too much attention, too many eyes looking at her, too many strangers focused on her.  It would have been a great proposal, me down on one knee and the whole bit.  Instead, I proposed to her in the front seat of my powder blue Ford Escort under the car port at our home church the night we got back from the trip.  No people watching, no big scene - just me and her at the place where we grew up together.

Before that night, she had been part of my life.  We grew up at the same church together.  We were in the church plays together.  Her and her family were at some of the activities my family hosted for the church like sledding and ice skating at my grandmother's place.  Yet, after that night, she had committed to be mine, to be joined to me forever.  From that moment, life was going to be different - and it has been.  There have been good days.  There have been bad days.  There have been hardships, frustrations, and moments of brokenness.  There has been much joy.  There have been tears of sadness and tears from laughter.  Through it all, there has been endless love.
  
Every day that passes is a new day with her.  Its a new day to show her how much I love her.  Some days I do great.  Other days I totally fail.  No matter how I do, she still chooses to love me.  I do the same for her.

Stephanie Jo, I love you with all that I am.  I'd go back 19 years and do it all over in a heart beat!  Thank you for being willing to be mine all these years.