October 19, 2010 (about a year ago): I attend a banquet for the Masters of Social Work program. I wasn’t really interested in the program, but they invited the top GPAs of each college and I wanted free food. There were maybe 40 students in attendance. Sitting at my table was a Jeff Whitlock. We became friends, eventually were accepted into the Strategy program together, and also see each other in the BYUSA office. After the banquet, Jeff and I walked to campus together. There was also a girl with us, but I didn’t remember very much about her, just that we talked about one of our mutual friends Emily. I remembered she had done folk dance as well.
Fast forward to November 2, 2011. I am now dating an awesome, beautiful girl named Kelli. We are talking and eventually find out that she was also in attendance at the banquet. We find out that she also knows Jeff Whitlock. We also find out that she walked with Jeff to campus after the banquet. She talked to a boy that she didn’t remember very well about a mutual friend named Emily. And about the fact that he was in folk dance.
WE TALKED!!! A year before we started dating, we talked, sort of met each other, and didn’t think anything of it! We barely remembered each other! Not til a year later did Kelli try out for murder mystery and we got to know each other and got to really start liking each other. I learned three things from this:
1. Love at first sight is probably over-rated.
Kelli and I are really liking/leading to loving each other. And we’re both extremely attracted to each other (or so she tells me ☺). But obviously, there wasn’t a magical rushing of the wind when we first met. Heck, we hardly remember the other person at all! Same thing when she walked into the audition room. I thought she was cute, but I didn’t right away envision it going as far as it has. It wasn't until our third encounter (in the taco bell line, haha) that I really started feeling major attraction/interest in her.
2. Who knows who you’re running into?
I have always loved thinking about who you’ve run into in your life without realizing it. Or finding your friend from kindergarten in your college business class. Stuff like that. I really hope that after we die we can see a video of all the funny coincidences and circumstances of running into people. It’s just so fun having a real-life example with my girlfriend!
3. Our lives are being guided.
Kelli and I started dating pretty quick; because we were ready and because it felt right. I don’t think a year ago we would have been ready. At that time she was in a pretty up and down relationship and I was about to start the longest relationship of my life. From both we learned a ton. We learned lessons and had experiences that really shaped who we are and how we view relationships. What IF Kelli and I had clicked a year ago and started dating? Maybe it would have worked out. But maybe we weren’t supposed to date yet, and were being taught and prepared for something to happen when it was supposed to. I’m a big believer in timing, and I know that God is as well. It’s awesome to see him orchestrate things.
So today as you go out, look around at those strangers walking by. You might be dating one of them in a year!
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