He Had Me at “Hello”
I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy.
I walked through the living room recently to see You’ve Got Mail on the television. It was nearly over, but I immediately got sucked in, stuck watching the end of the movie. As Joe Fox “tweaked” his project (i.e., pursued Kathleen Kelly knowing she was his email love interest), I couldn’t wait to see the final scene when Joe reveals the truth.
“Don’t cry, Shopgirl. Don’t cry,” says Joe as he wipes the tears from her face.
“I wanted it to be you,” Kathleen responds. “I wanted it to be you so badly.”
Or Sweet Home, Alabama.
Melanie Carmichael and Jake Perry, who had been childhood sweethearts, are caught in a love triangle. Melanie returns to her hometown to marry an up-and-coming politician, only to learn that she’s still legally married to Jake. While trying to finalize the divorce that was started years earlier, she realizes that Jake is her true love. She finally dumps her upscale politician for her small-town first love.
“The truth is I gave my heart away a long time ago, my whole heart, and I never really got it back,” Melanie says.
And then there’s the famous line from Jerry Maguire.
After a tumultuous relationship, Jerry Maguire returns home to profess his love to Dorothy Boyd.
Jerry: [babbling and struggling] I love you. You… you complete me. And I just…
Dorothy: Shut up, just shut up.
[Pause]
Dorothy: You had me at “hello”. You had me at “hello.”
Who can resist such perfect lines? Who doesn’t dream of having that moment, that one special line that sticks in your mind and solidifies your relationship? What woman doesn’t want a romantic comedy love story?
Let me tell you a little about my love story.
I have spent years seeking God since my divorce, begging God to bring that man who would love me as Christ loves the church. I’ve waited and cried and waited some more. I’ve believed and I’ve doubted.
I’ve lived by the Maya Angelou quote: “A woman’s heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.”
And I’ve asked God to give me a man who would pursue His heart so he could find mine. I’ve told God I only wanted a relationship with someone who was willing to pursue God first and me second. I’ve clung to God, knowing He promised to bring me someone special.
Last year, shortly after we started dating, Roy (affectionately known as my Royfriend) looked at me and said, “I’ve spent the last two years pursuing God’s heart in hopes that one day I would be worthy of pursuing your heart.”
I melted.
It was my, “You had me at hello” moment. Here was this man who had chosen to surrender everything to God knowing it was the best way to live and it was the only way to ever have a chance with me. It was truly a defining moment in our relationship.
And this weekend, we went one step further.
Roy and our children (my four (including my son’s girlfriend, Rebekah) and his two) had come together to surprise me. We were out back eating pizza. One of the kids asked me to go into the house to retrieve some water bottles. On the way back out, I decided to be ornery and throw ice cold water on the kids. I walked outside with water in hand and threw it on the kids…
And totally missed that Roy was down on one knee with a ring in his hand!
Yes, Friday night it became official. He poured out his heart to me, in front of our children, and asked me to marry him. He asked us to blend our two families into one large family that loves God and pursues Him wholeheartedly.
We knew from the beginning that neither of us wanted to date just to date. We were dating with marriage in mind.
And now we are one step closer to complete redemption of all we have walked through.
As we plan our future, we realize there’s a lot of work left to do. Blending two very different families is a daunting task. Add to that his special needs daughter who lives with him full-time and there’s no doubt we are in for an adventure.
But we know God is faithful. We know He has called us to this journey. We have seen His hand of provision, His hand of direction at every turn. We are committed to God, and we are committed to one another.
And we can’t wait to see what God brings out of this crazy adventure known as life.
Congratulations, Dena!!! We are so happy for you!!!
PTL!!! ??????
Your old neighbors from Surrey
Awww… Thanks! But I have to ask which neighbors???? I’m curious!
Congratulations Dena!
This is great news. I, too, am pursuing God’s heart in the hopes that one day He will reveal a woman to pursue as well. Sounds like you are both being redeemed for your faithfulness and your story is an encouragement for me.
Praying God’s Blessings on You and Your Family,
Steve Hilyar
Forest Lake, MN
DivorceCare Leader
Eagle Brook Church
White Bear Lake, MN Campus
________________________________
Thank you, Steve! He has definitely redeemed! Glad you are using your pain to help others!
Congratulations Dena 🙂
I just came across your blog from a piece you wrote on re marriage. Thanking God for your answered prayer. I’m praying for you both.
Philippians, 1:6
Thank you!
congratulations Dena and Roy and may you and your children be greatly blessed.
Thanks for reflecting the need for centrality of Christ in our lives and relationships.
it is so true that “joy is in the Lord.”
Thank you!
Congratulations! …and thank you for sharing <3
Thank you!
Oh my gosh Dena!!!!!!!! Congratulations! I am so Happy for you !!!!!!!! God bless you!!!!!
Thank you!
Thank you!!
Congratulations!
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Thank you!
Congratulations!! I’m so happy for all of you. Yes, God is amazingly faithful and will continue to be in the years ahead. Blending a family is a challenge – sometimes more so than you expect. But God’s grace and guidance are always present and available. Enjoy the adventure and many blessings!
Thank you! I know it will be an adventure–a God-sized adventure!
congratulations dena you deserve the best
Thank you!
Wow Dena. Beautiful! Congratulations.
I too am a sucker for a romantic comedy and I pray for a God centered relationship.
Thank you for sharing your life’s journey with God in the center and at the head of it. Gods blessings to you and your family.
God is a good God?
Thanks, Frances! I pray with you for that God-centered relationship.
What a beautiful thing! Congrtulations.
Thank you!
So many congratulations! I have deep joy and redemption in my second marriage. It is incredible how the Lord continues to heal the wounds from both our pasts through our current relationship. I can’t wait to keep reading and am thrilled for your entire family!
Love that testimony! Can’t wait for it to be mine!
So happy for you, God is truly faithful. You have blessed my life so much with your words so I feel like I have been a part of this journey.
He is ever faithful! Thanks for sharing the journey with me!
Congratulations!! I’m so happy for all of you. Yes, God is amazingly faithful and will continue to be in the years ahead. Blending a family is a challenge – sometimes more so than you expect. But God’s grace and guidance are always present and available. Enjoy the adventure and many blessings!
Wonderful news. Brought tears to my eyes after all that you have been through. God certainly does restore.
Restoration and redemption…my words for the year.
Wow…! What a beautiful love story….the heart of God right in the middle, around and within! Thank you for sharing this intimate story because of it I have hope for a future with a partner who seeks God as his number one! Blessings for a crazy, beautiful future!
Thank you! And I join you in praying for your future!
Congratulations! Wow. Its really nice to hear a story of answered prayer after everything youve been through. I wish you continued love and blessings to you and your children, and Royfriend.
Thank you! It’s been quite a journey, but it’s so fun to officially say we are on the other side.
I’m so happy for you.! God is truly wonderful!
Thank you!
Dena and Roy….This is just AWESOME!! You two inspire us all to keep God as our first love and believe Him in spite of everyrhing we go through!! May God”s JOY fill you…..
and His Guidance direct you….each and every day…..as you open this new chapter of life!!
Thank you! So glad God can use our stories to point the world back to Him!
I’m so incredibly happy for you two!!
Thanks, Christine!
Congratulations! What an incredible blessing!
He truly is a blessing!
May Almighty God bless you and Roy,Dena. May He enrich,anoint and prosper your relationship and your walk with Him! May He draw you both closer in a wonderful deeper anointed intimacy with Him and with each other, as Jesus continues to walk with you both to teach,guide,heal and counsel!
Thank you and amen!
Congratulations Dena and Roy! You are truly blessed! I pray God will continue to be in all the details of bringing your families together and forging a strong marriage with Him as the firm foundation and third cord that binds!!
Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul! Congratulations to the both of you!
Thank you!!
Thank you!
FINALLY!!!!!
Haha!! Love you!
Congratulations! I’ve read and followed your posts for a while. This is a wonderful turn in your journey. Prayers for you all!
Thank you, Rhonda! It is a fun change. Never knew what I was praying for, but I sure like the way it turned out.