The One with Our Love Story. [part 1]

I didn't date. 

When I entered high school I knew I was joining the masses in their hormone-infused lifestyles. I had seen all the movies, watched all the shows. I knew what dating was all about, and frankly, I thought it was ridiculous.* Even as a 14 year old, I knew I didn't want to date. To me, the point of dating was to find the man you're going to marry, and there was no way in heck I was going to get married in high school (or even shortly thereafter). Rather than put myself through the emotional wringer of high school dating, I opted out. I made my own decision. I went against the flow. I was not going to date in high school.

*(Note: please don't take my personal opinions as offensive. I am talking about my life and my situation alone. I don't think dating is inherently wrong. I am just thankful for my naive perspective that saved me from pain.)

The plan went off without (much of) a hitch. Sure, there were times I wanted a boy to like me, to show interest in me, to ask me out. After all, I was still a teenaged girl. I didn't receive many opportunities to turn a guy down (not that I was looking to disappoint a boy). I'm pretty sure most guys knew me and my pure reputation, and they figured "Why bother?" I was totally ok with that. Once or twice my "I don't date in high school" mantra came in quite handy, and once or twice I felt a twinge of "I wish I could change my mind, just for a minute." But I came out the other end, heartbreak free, and I consider myself very blessed.  

Then, on Labor Day 2004, I moved into Gamma 213 on the campus of Spring Arbor University. Suddenly, it hit me. I was no longer IN high school. I had no defense! What would I do? What would I say? How would I keep from getting hurt? Would I find The One? Was he walking by me right this very minute? ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. 

*deep breath*

I put the thought aside and figured I'd just go with the flow. (Yeah, right, Mel, who were you kidding? Go with the flow???) It worked. For about a week. 

I found myself being hotly pursued by two guys--one a freshman, who intrigued me with his "godliness"--and one was a junior, who intrigued me with his "junior-ness." I was flustered and honored and totally confused. I had every girl on my floor listen to a voice message by Mr. Junior and give me advice. I had no clue what to do. But then, my roommate asked me a very good question: "Melanie, you have to decide if what you're feeling is attention or attraction." Hmmm. 

A few days later, I recognized that I was just giddy because of the attention I was receiving, not at all because I was attracted either of them. (Though the ice cream did help, Mr. Junior.)

At the end of that first month on campus, I was getting packed for a choir retreat. I was stressed trying to finished ALL of my homework by 4pm*, pack, eat dinner, and meet the bus in time. Out of nowhere I received a phone call. It was this guy from my Core Group.

*yes, this was a crazy deadline I had placed on myself.

to be continued. 


Read Part 2 HERE.