A flashbulb memory is a highly-detailed, exceptionally-vivid
snapshot of a moment in time where you experienced something with real
consequential importance. So vivid, you can recall it with photo-like quality.
I do have a few of these flashbulb memories, both good and
bad. I remember exactly how I was during the OJ verdict, 9/11 and the moment my
mom left this world for Heaven.
One of my favorite flashbulb memories is the moment I first
laid eyes on my husband, almost twelve years ago. I must be getting old because
lately I've been feeling extra sentimental which is why this particular event
has been on my mind lately.
He was working for his brother at the local DQ so he had
this cute little plaid uniform on.
What a sissy.
He rounded the corner and our eyes met. I was there to meet
some of my friends who also worked there. They had already warned me about this
rebel rouser. In fact, I clearly remember the first words I ever spoke to my
husband.
“Do you know it’s illegal to buy cigarettes for underage
people?”
Even in my early years, I was a law-abiding citizen. In his
early years, he wasn't. When he looked back at me with the biggest, most beautiful
hazel eyes I've ever seen, I thought to myself. “Oh hell. This is not going to
end well for me.” A little part of me fell in love right then.
That night, Chase and I walked around town and talked about
a million different things. When I went back to college the following weekend,
I told my roommate I never expected to hear from him again.
But I did which was shocking because he hadn't even asked
for my phone number. Since this was a pre-Facebook era, I couldn't imagine how
he would contact me, even if he wanted to.
Yes, I am old. When I was dating, Facebook didn't even
exist. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have dodged that bullet.
At 18, I instantly and unavoidably fell in love with someone
who may or may not have bought cigarettes for underage people. If the statue of
limitations is greater than twelve years for this offense, he definitely did
not.
What started that weekend led to the person I am today and
the family I have now. For which I will be eternally grateful.
Has every step been easy? Um no. Has every step been worth
it? Yes. Absolutely yes. Marriage requires a sacrifice of self which is never
fun. Sometimes I apologize when I don’t really mean it down in my core because
my man and my kids are worth it. I let go of my “rights” for the greater good
of keeping my family unit firmly intact.
Anyway, if you’re still reading, I am really getting to my
main point. This month will mark TEN YEARS since Jesus picked my broken husband
up from the gutters and freed him from a life-destroying methamphetamine
addiction. He has an entire decade of being drug free under his belt and he is
more successful today than ANYONE (except for me) could have ever imagined.
Chase had been a drug user for much of his youth and got
into meth, which dug its claws into my man with all that it had. By the grace of God, he made it out and now he
willingly shares his story with
anyone who wants to listen. After rehab, he came back an entirely new person
and is an awesome husband, father, son and friend. I’m so proud to call him
mine.
No, I usually don’t discuss such things on the Internet for
everyone to read. But today I am because I want to encourage people out there.
It can be done peeps.
