Responsible Father

Hi, I actually wrote a full post about this historic day in our relationship, but Debbie said “Here, let me write it.”

I’m glad she did.

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This year, December 3rd is on Friday, as it was in 1993. December 3rd is a day I always commemorate because December 3, 1993 was a life-changing day for me.

Scott and I had been friends for a long time; we had even dated for a year or so during the five years we had known each other.  But now I was quasi-dating a different guy from Bethel Seminary who was planning on coming to my Minnesota Chorale concert the next weekend.  So Scott and I were “just friends,” but planning on attending the Bethel College Festival of Christmas together.

I had been dreading that Friday morning, however, because I was to finally give the long-feared sermon for the preaching class that I had put off for as long as possible during my years at Bethel Seminary.  As I walked down the stairs that morning to leave my home, I remember being really nervous and thinking, “I want to talk to Scott,” then gasped as I wondered why I wanted to talk to Scott, rather than my “boyfriend.”  That was weird; oh well.

I was giddy with relief when my sermon was finally over, and that afternoon was like the day before Christmas break as I looked forward to meeting Scott for supper before the Festival of Christmas.  I would tell him all about my “preaching” because he found everything I talked about interesting.

Scott and I had a very enjoyable supper, then headed on over to Bethel College where we ran into Scott’s aunt and uncle who eyed us curiously while talking with us politely.  “Oh, no,” I thought, “now they’re going to think we’re dating again!”  On to our seats, where we listened to heavenly music from Handel’s Messiah.

Suddenly, during the “Hallelujah Chorus,” I looked at Scott out of the corner of my eye, saw him enjoying the music as much as me, and thought, “Why didn’t I want to marry Scott?  Hmm.  Right now I can’t think of anyone I’d rather spend the rest of my life with.”  (And I had dated more than a few guys.)  And then, “Oh my goodness!  Did I just think what I think I thought?  Now what should I do?  Should I TELL him?  I’ve broken up with him TWICE already; if I’m wrong, I can’t break up with him a THIRD  time–after telling him I’ll marry him!!!

To be continued . . .

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For the record, I still think what she talks about is interesting – Scott