On November 18, 2016 my mom, Steven, and I boarded a cruise ship for a Thanksgiving adventure through the Panama Canal. As we were boarding the ship, my friend Lynda called and wanted me to promise I would go dancing. In fact, she would not hang up with me until I promised that I would go dancing the next night. I had no idea that promise would change my life.
The following evening, on November 19th, I entered the Explorers Lounge. I sat at the bar and ordered a glass of wine. A man walked in and asked if the seat was taken. I told him no and he sat down two seats away from me. And we begin to chat over the empty seat between us. The next thing I knew, my wine glass broke and my ring finger on my right hand was oozing blood. As I wrapped bar napkins around my finger, I realized I needed stitches. I told the bartenders I need stitches but they just kept saying napkin. The stranger sitting two seats away from me finally convinced the bartender to call medical. And then asked if he could walk me to medical. I told him no, I could go on my own. And then he said I’m certain you could but I was raised better than that, may I please walk with you? So he walked me down to medical. When we entered the room, the nurse handed me a clipboard of paperwork that needed to be completed before I could be seen. Since my injury was on my right hand and I’m right-handed there was no way I could complete the forms. So I looked over at Jon and asked him to fill out my forms. So a complete stranger who I had known for all of 15 minutes completed by medical history. Two hours and a few stitches later, I walked out of medical to find Jon sitting there waiting for me. I looked at him and asked you’re still here? And he simply said of course. He then asked if I wanted to go get a drink. So back up to the Explorers Lounge we went. We sat at the bar, had a drink, and then we danced. And talked. And laughed. And it was fun. So much fun! We said good night and went our separate ways.
The next day, the ship was at sea and we happened to find each other. We each did our own thing during the day but after dinner we met back in the Explorers Lounge to dance. After that, we saw each other every day. We were even on the same excursion with our children. My mother, without realizing it, set us up on our first date. She and I had tickets for a five course lunch wine tasting and she was not feeling well. So she asked Jon if you would like to go with me. And that date was just the beginning of many.
Our last night at sea, we exchanged contact information. After the ship docked in Fort Lauderdale, we stayed in touch and talked daily. We made plans to get together after the holidays. I decided I would go to Texas instead of Jon coming to Florida. That way if we didn’t like each other or there was no connection, I could just come home. So on January 6, 2017 I boarded a flight for Texas. I decided to take a leap of faith. Jump into this new relationship with both feet. Trust in the magic of new beginnings. And it was an amazing weekend. When I left on Sunday, I knew what Jon and I had was special. That it deserved a chance to blossom into an amazing relationship.
And thus began our long-distance courtship. Our frequent trips to see each other. Our love story. I had no idea when I boarded that cruise that I was going to meet my future husband. God had a plan. Of that I am certain. And I will be forever thankful that He put Jon and I on that same ship. In that same lounge. And that He used a wine glass to ensure that we would spend time together. The stitches were totally worth finding my new beginning.
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