Who would have thought that one day I would meet a man of my dreams, in AmeriCorps? Ummm.... I believed in the power of intention and I entered that organization with hopes that I would find a man who also shared the passion of doing service. And boy did I. Jason was and is an exemplary being who demonstrates continued service. However, I never thought that he was also the true meaning of unconditional love. What a delightful surprise.
Our first assignment was helping to build houses for Habitat for Humanity. I remember the first time Jay and I were near each other...It was on Pine Street and I asked him how to use a skill saw. He generously and playfully showed me and we began to get to know one another. We had yoga, vegetarianism, and our at-risk youth background in common.
I was secretly interested in him and I put up a slight front, an old pattern of protecting my heart. Then something major happened. My father died. I began to pray really hard and developed trust that there was something bigger in this universe to help me survive the shattered heart of losing mi papi. I was suddenly hit with the motto,"Life's too short to..." Life's to short to hold back love.
So, I allowed myself to do what I was scared of. That's when I reminded myself that it was okay to fall...to fall in love.
He asked me to marry him two weeks later. He had found a way for us to be sent to the same destination in the Peace Corps. "There is a way to be sent to the same assignment."(I began to giggle while walking through the gorgeous blowing fall leaves in Lexington, KY.) "We can apply together if we are engaged." He stopped in his tracks and turned to face me. His left hand rested on my upper right arm. Then all ten of his fingers slid down into my fingers and we were holding eachother's hands in front of us. He looked into my eyes, "So, Doris. Will you marry me?!" His brows lifted, his sunflower eyes widened in anticipation, and his breath was slightly held. My mind flashed forward...maybe three full seconds passed..."Yeah." I responded smiling. He began to breathe. I began to breathe and we both relaxed our shoulders. Huge wide grins appeared before me...on both his and my lips.
That was 7 years ago to this day.
Ultimately, we opted not to go into the Peace Corps or get married and we still celebrate this special moment.
Jason has been there for me through thick and thin. We continue to get to know and love one another more and more every day.
Sometimes I think my father placed Jason in my life.
I am truly grateful for the gift of a beautiful man, best friend, and true love.
