A Journey To Remember

A Journey to Remember

God places the lonely in families.

Psalm 68:6

A seven-hour drive at night through a severe snowstorm with a man I hardly knew!

My neighbor, Les, had arranged for a young man named Ted to take me to my aunt’s home on his way to his mother’s. Les had assured Ted I would help keep him awake.

“When Mary and her mom talk, you can’t get a word in edgewise.”

Nervous and unusually quiet, this eighteen-year-old girl found herself on a dark, lonely road with a twenty-two-year-old man of the world. What if he tries to take advantage of me? Eventually, I relaxed and we began discussing all sorts of topics.

Ted made frequent pit stops, unlike my dad, who hated to stop except for gas. At one deserted campground, we trekked through the snow to the outhouses. Ted handed me the flashlight. After I emerged, I shone the beam toward the men’s outhouse to help light his way back to the car.

We arrived safely at my aunt’s, our fun adventure ended. I thought I would probably never see Ted again.

I sent a note of thanks, signing it, “Love, Mary,” as I did all my letters. A couple of weeks later, I got a letter. My heart jumped as I read the signature: “Love, Ted.”

We continued corresponding, and then he came to visit. The fourth time we were together, he proposed. Three months later we married. The date happened to be his mom’s birthday (which he didn’t remember). Thirty-seven years later, that love at first sight has grown to maturity and a wonderful companionship.

—Mary A. Hake

Dear Lord, thank you for placing us in relationships. Please bless and strengthen our marriages and our bonds with our children and others. Amen.