My Story... part two.

(Me and a camper named Ashley at Garaywa. Doesn't she look like Ruthie from 7th Heaven?)

Sadly camp could not last forever and like all good things, it came to an end. I packed up my cabin, said my goodbyes and headed home to Columbus for the 2 short weeks before I would "really" move away from home. Of course I had no idea what was waiting for me around the next corner and once I found out I was no longer a happy camper.

Several months before camp and all throughout I would occasionally have these "spells" that would feel like what I imagine a heart attack feels like. Sometimes once a week, sometimes every other week I would have these attacks. Well, after I returned home from camp, I had another one. This was "the big one". Now, I am not nor have I ever been a fan of the doctor's office. I like to treat patients, not be one, but this time I needed to go. I ended up in the emergency room (insert moans and groans here). After several tests, an ultrasound and a GI Cocktail they decided I had gall stones and would need surgery asap. Bare in mind that I leave for college in less than 2 weeks now and in that time I had a trip to Florida planned with my grandparents and I do not miss trips with my grandparents! You wouldn't either if your grandparents were as cool as mine :) Anyway, I met with a wonderful surgeon and we scheduled my surgery for August 7th (after I returned from Florida). All went well, except that I ended up having to stay overnight in the hospital (for what was supposed to be out-patient surgery). My blood pressure bottomed out and I scared an elderly volunteer half to death when I passed out on her. But, I eventually regained some strength and they sent me home the following day. Recovery was not fun, but with my stitches still in and a few tears shed, I drove myself to Graceville, Florida, on August 9th to begin the next chapter in my journey.

I pulled onto the campus of the Baptist College of Florida with my mom and Jerry behind me. After 5 hours on the road we hurriedly put my things into my dorm room, set up and headed to their hotel for the night. The drive to Florida had already "made it all real" and we were prepared to say our goodbyes the next day. Without knowing a single soul, I returned to my dorm and my folks drove back to Mississippi. Once again my life was about to change in a way I never expected.

BCF was great. After having thought I was going to have a private room, (my first roomate decided she wasn't coming to college after all) the RA politely informed me that I was moving across the hall. Enter Suzie - the best roomate anyone could ever ask for. I moved all of my things into the room across the hall and bonded instantly with my new roomate. Suzie was the best thing that could have happened to me during that first week of school. This being her 3rd year at BCF she already knew the ropes and gladly shared her insights. We shared many great times during that Fall semester, but none so memorable as my budding new romance.

Yep, you guessed it. Enter Jon - better known to some of you as my husband. I met Mr. Bradberry on September 3, 2003, at Rehobeth Baptist Church. And as far as I am concerned all thanks goes to Rehobeth Baptist Church for having a church sign that looked very much like the sign at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, my home church in Columbus. Rehobeth ended up being the first church I visited on my own and it was all because it reminded me of the one I left behind. I had first visited on the previous Wednesday and Sunday and later came to find out that Jon was visiting Jacksonville that weekend or we may have met sooner.

(Me and Jon in November 2003)

Anyway, very quickly as I know you are tired of reading, we met very casually and it's a really cute story. Almost as quickly as I had visited Rehobeth, one of the sweetest little ladies took a liking to me. She spoke each time I visited and always greeted me with open arms. The only problem was I didn't know her name. This of course bothered me, but I didn't want to ask her, being sure that she had already told me. So, on this particular Wednesday night Jon was sitting in front of me. I quietly leaned up and said, "Excuse me, could I ask you a question? I was wondering if you could tell me that lady's (pointing) name." His reply was not what I was hoping for. He had drawn a blank, but only for the answer to my question. We started a conversation in which we discovered we attended the same college and had classes right next to each other. He invited me to Sunday School and the rest as they say is history. Well, at least until tomorrow when I continue my story. Hakuna Matata!

P.S. By the way- show some love, leave a comment!