The Hubby and I dated while we were in college. After four months of dating, he FINALLY kissed me. Not too long after that I had a strong confirmation that this was the boy I would eventually marry.
There was a small hiccup in that plan, however. He was leaving the U.S.to go study Mandarin Chinese at a school in Taiwan for an entire year.
I had a sincere desire to share my feelings with this boy who’d stolen my heart before he flew almost 7000 miles away. I was in Canada working for a church youth camp. He was in California saying goodbye to family before his overseas adventure.
I made the phone call after gentle persuasion from close friends. The Hubby {not The Hubby at the time} answered. There was a lot of noise in the background. His friends were throwing him an impromptu going away party.
Oh, was I nervous! But I had to tell him, so I summoned up all the bravery I could muster and said those three words that can make or break a relationship: “I love you.”
His reply?
“Thank you.”
Ouch.
We laugh about it all the time now. We’ve told this story hundreds of times. He wasn’t ready to say it yet. I get it. That doesn’t mean it didn’t sting at the time. But three and a half months later, over looking a waterfall in the mountains of Taiwan, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. It totally erased the horror of the “thank you moment”.
For Valentine’s Day this year, I made The Hubby something to remind him of this turning point in our history.
Now when we say I love you, the thank you that follows means, “I love you, too.”
Hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!
5 comments:
I'm guessing his reaction to this gift was "Thank you!"
What a wonderful gift: funny, sincere, functional, pretty, clever, homemade.
Ouch is right, but you didn't let him get away. I knew he was the guy before the I Love You moment...poor Trav, he didn't stand a a chance.
That is SUCH a neat and adorable idea!
Reminds me of in the film "Ghost" when the husband always replies with "Ditto".
When my boyfriend said I love you for the first time I couldn't even muster up a thank you, I just gave him a hug! Luckily he was stubborn enough to keep saying after every date until I could say it back. :-)
What a romantic you are! I love everything about this. Thank you for sharing.
I enjoyed reading about this story. But, I'm sure you didn't like one bit his answer at the time. But then, him proposing in Taiwan overlooking a waterfall... so romantic.
Your gift is so beautiful, and the best part is the story behind the present. As always, such a great job!
P.S: I always thought he went on a mission to Taiwan.
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