A Love That Never Ends

Many, many love stories that you see on TV starts with music in the person’s head when they finally meet the one; the one that will be with you for the rest of your life. Well, my story does not start like that. The very first time that I met Kara was Easter 2018 at a friends house after church. I’m pretty sure that I was nice to her, but there were no bells going off saying that this is the one for me. As time went on, we found ourselves in the same small group. One of the things that I can recall that helped us to start our lifetime friendship, was that she would check up on me when I was on the road. As a musician/worship leader, I found myself going back and forth pretty consistently. She would check on me to make sure that I was okay. At that time, I found myself spending many hours alone in the car. Receiving messages from her gave me the energy I needed it so that I could make it home. She would show great care for me when she did not have to. The “getting to know one another” stage was fun. There were multiple three and four hour conversations on the phone. It was almost as if we were school kids again. One of the things I really liked about it was the fact that we actually talked. Texting was involved, but mainly we talked. I appreciated this because there’s so much that can get lost in a text message. We began to date at the end of December of 2018. It started with a kiss, at church of course. Kara: It all started when I asked him on the first date with my free movie tickets...but go on Honey... WG: Oh yes, the movie! Aquaman! Women yelling things at the screen because they are so hot for Jason Momoa… How could I forget? The kiss didn’t happen until the next day. My bad... This is where the beginnings truly kicked off.

My turn? Ok! Being together meant sacrifices had to be made, dates had to be different and time alone was so precious! Honey knew the girls from sharing space at church so introductions weren’t necessary. To dial it back a week or so before we officially started dating, I’ll set the scene here. Service was over. Honey, well just Gooch at the time, was mixing and mingling around the front row. I leave the auditorium to pick up my girls. Only this morning, they have a new kick of excitement in their step! They run into the auditorium straight to Gooch, and hug him one by one! His pure joy to see them said enough to me that their relationship would be one to hold dear. I knew then that going into a relationship with THEE Gooch would be THE best decision for my family. Or did I?! Time leaves me at this point but he asked me to dinner and I begrudgingly said ‘Sure, okay.’ With hesitation, fear, anxiety among other things in mind first. The day of the date was set to Tuesday. I tossed and turned about it but Monday evening rolled around and I checked in via text. Kara: ‘Uh hey how’s your day going?’ Gooch: ‘Well it’s alright, it could be better.’ Kara: Why just alright, you okay? Gooch: Oh yeah I’m fine, except my wrist is hurting a bit. I was in a car accident. Kara: uummm a what?, Are you serious? Are you okay? How’s the car? Was it just your hand that got hurt? (At this point I feel like a double jerk for wanting to find a way out of the date) Gooch: Oh no I’m fine. The other person is fine. It was my fault. But I totaled my car. Sooo we might not be able to get dinner. Kara: oh my goodness don’t even worry about that. I’m really glad you’re okay. That’s what matters right now. Are you sure you don’t need anything? Gooch: No I think I’m good. Thanks for asking though. Kara: No problem. 😉 Queue Victory sorry dance in my head. It’s not that I didn’t like him, honest. I just didn’t WANT to like him. I wanted to stay friends. What if I mess things up.

This girl was tied up in a couple of things but it all dissolved before December 28 2018. I got a text from Kara in the middle of the day. Hey so I got two free tickets to the movies and they expire at the end of the year. Wanna go to the movies tomorrow? Sure! Aquaman at 10am? Uh sure I can make that work. My mind said get the earliest showing then we can spend the afternoon together. Her mind BABYSITTER! Where can I find a sitter so fast aahhhh. That was worked out. Thanks Mama Cheri and Pop! They’re dropped off, she explains excitement and nervousness to the Lamb’s and scurries out the door. She’s on time with tickets in hand. He’s late-ish. Yup. On the first date he’s late! 🤨 We get refreshments. Grab our seats and lean back. Both of us are pretty excited about the movie so no hanky panky Amen!? Movies starts and midway into it I put my hand in his, head on his arm and we fit like a hand in a glove! Perfection I tell ya. So we stroll down to Barnes & Noble for a chance to chat. I get my usual Chai Latte, he gets....water. It’s winter so I’m bundled up and ready to stay cozy alongside him. We warm right back up within an almost 2 hour conversation. Exchanges dreams, life stories, fears and laughs! It. Was. Incredible. As if we were reintroducing ourselves to one another after years being apart. Like old friends playing catch up. We were so intrigued with one another. We said our church hug goodbyes and went separate ways. I screamed when I got in the car! Text Diana immediately and said it was perfect! Then Sunday morning! Well, I was kid free and service was over. We mixed and mingled together. Then at a moments notice when all outside conversation stopped, he kissed me! Just a simple yet familiar Hey Beautiful you ready to get out of here? It was magic. Yup I feel cheesy and I. Don’t. Care! Funny though?! We left separately with no intention to see each other that day. I hit 386 and was urged to call him and turn around. So I did. Then we Brunched!

Go head take it away Honey! WG: Tagging in. One of the phrases that we find ourselves saying around one another is, “all of the things”. I must say that being with her has been just that: all the things. At the end of the day, I must say that it has been a blessing…A giant blessing. It hasn’t been without its challenges. It hasn’t been without its tears. It hasn’t been without its highs and lows. It’s been and will continue to be rewarding. I will be the father of three beautiful little girls... and At a time when many things are uncertain, I am certain that those three little girls love me. I am also certain that the one that I am with is the one that I will be with for the rest of my life. Whether that is until tomorrow or 50 years from now, I am certain that this is who I want to take the journey with. This is the crew that I wanna do all the things with. So, if you are reading this, we can only ask for two things: 1. Prayer. Pray for us as we embark on this journey together. We know and understand that there will be times when things will not make sense. There will be times when we might doubt. However, we both know that if we keep our eyes on the things that are most important (God, family, love) that we will be fine. We will be better than fine... we will flourish! 2. Be Our People. The world will tell us that greatness lies in the ones willing to walk alone. We know that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the World! We know that when two or three are gathered together in his name, He will be amongst them! We know that our circle loves us dearly and with all the money in the world, we couldn’t begin to pay you all back for the love you’ve shown our family. So we ask that you continue to be our family! Continue to lift us up as we go through the trials to come. Continue to love on our babies, now and those to come, with an everlasting, unconditional love! Continue to show the world what heaven will look like right alongside us!