Happy Anniversary!

I had been single and on my own for quite a few years, when I shared a desire and prayer request with a close friend. “Randi, I want someone to date. Just to go out to dinner, maybe a movie and to escort me to this wedding we are planning.” At that time, I was a wedding coordinator and Randi was a photographer. We were both in the wedding as well as planning and photographing. I continued, “I’m tired of going to functions alone and I want someone to go to this wedding with me. Randi, I want you to pray and ask God to show you someone you could introduce me to – just date, nothing serious.”

A few days later, Randi called me, “I’ve got just the guy! He is a great person, nice dresser, gives the best bear hugs of anyone I’ve ever known. Are you interested?”

“Well, I guess so. Okay.”

“Good because I’ve already talked with him and he wants to meet you. How does lunch on Friday sound?”

“Geez, you don’t waste any time do you, Randi?”

“Well, let’s face, girl. You’re not getting any younger!”

“Okay, you don’t have to be insulting! I’ll meet him on Friday.”

Friday came and ‘nervous’ did not begin to describe how I felt. Randi had agreed to have lunch with us, which was a good thing or I would have chickened-out. I picked her up at her house and we went together to Longhorn’s. We arrived early, which did nothing to calm my nerves, and decided to it wait in the car for a few minutes before entering the restaurant. We sat there, talking, when suddenly Randi yelled, “Look – there he is!” Randi loves to play practical jokes and I should have realized she was up to something. But I fell for it and looked in the direction she pointed. Crossing in front of the car was the most shriveled-up old man I’ve even seen. He was at least 90 years old and was so thin he was just bones with skin stretched over them. The expression on my face was one of abject horror, I’m sure, and for a brief moment I considered dumping Randi and letting her find her own ride home. It occurred to me that she was trying to speak through her hysterical laughter.

“You should see your face! The look is priceless! I’m kidding, that’s not him.”

Once her words penetrated my horror and my heart moved back into place from where it had dropped to my stomach, I was almost able to see the humor in the situation and laughed weakly.
We decided to move our vigil into the restaurant lobby to wait. Just…waiting. And waiting. He was late. Perhaps he’s backed out, I thought, hopefully. Just as I opened my mouth to say “let’s go – he’s not coming” Randi squeals, “There he is!” She is instantly enveloped in a bear hug that made all the women in the room swoon, me included.

“Edwina, this is Dave Cowgill. Dave, this is Edwina Bond.” I looked up at this gentle giant of a man, with the most gorgeous pair of velvety-brown eyes I’ve ever seen and a smile that would melt a heart of stone. I’m not sure what I said, but it must have been relatively coherent. At least Dave did not look at me like I was a few fries short of a full-meal deal.

We had a delightful lunch and I found Dave to be very intelligent with a great sense of humor. He and Randi had a great visit, catching up on people they knew when they worked together at a local company. We stayed at the restaurant for over two hours, talking and laughing. When we left, I was very interested in getting to know Dave better.

The next day, I called him to thank him for lunch and to tell him I enjoyed our time together. He asked what I was doing for the rest of the day; if I was not busy, would I like to go with him to shop for flooring? I was not busy and had I been, I would have cleared my schedule. We spent all day together, into the evening. By the time he took me home, I knew. This man, who I had known less than 48 hours, was all I had prayed for and more. Just to be on the safe side, I prayed.

I prayed a lot in the days and weeks after that. Dave prayed too. It wasn’t long before we both realized our relationship was more than just “casual dinner dates and movies.” I had found my soul mate. My best friend.

In May of 2004, Dave proposed and I accepted. Dave went through the confirmation class for my church and became a member. We planned our wedding based on the sacredness of the sacrament of holy matrimony. It was a family affair – my sister helped coordinate the wedding and reception and did all of the floral arrangements. My beautiful daughter was my maid of honor. My son was serving our country in Iraq, so my precious grandson escorted me down the aisle and “gave me away.” It was a beautiful ceremony.

Please allow me to back up just a bit so that you will understand how special our relationship was and is today. In December of 2003, I received a Word from the Lord through another close friend, Cindy Epps. It was and remains such a special Word that I want to share it in its entirety. If anyone who is reading this blog today is having marital or relationship difficulties, take heart. Our Lord sees you and knows your situation. He knows your heart’s desire and He has great plans for you:

“Edwina” (says our Lord): “I would give you a word of encouragement
and hope, as you have continued in well-doing without flagging for these
many days.”

“I have heard you,” says your Lord…”I have heard you. I will give you a
husband in this life, and he will be a husband in Me. He will not require you
to give anything up—your ministry will not suffer as a result of the marriage.
Indeed, this will be your guideline in judging whether this man is chosen by
Me for you.

“I know you have resigned yourself to singlehood, and this is the way to be
content in day-to-day life. But know that, in My time, this will change. Know
also that I will cause your married relationship to flourish so that the richness
of many years will be present, though the days of earthly time will be less. It
will be for you as though you have been together for many, many years. This is
your Lord’s promise to you, my Beloved.”

This past Friday, September 18, my darling husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. It has been five of the happiest years of my life. We’ve had our trials—just like any marriage. But they have made us stronger and caused us to grow closer together. He tells me I am his best friend and his one true love. I tell him he is my best friend and soul mate.

Happy anniversary my love! I look forward to many, many more!