Today is the thirty-seventh anniversary of my very first date with my husband Jim. I was only sixteen years old and was pretty certain that I knew everything. He was almost twenty, and in 1980 that was practically a scandal.
Jim and I talked about that first date this morning over our coffee, and I had to laugh at him. He’s still amazed that there was a second date—and so am I. He remembers thinking he’d impress me by taking me to a French film. It was horrible, and that’s all I’ll say about it. After the movie, he took me out for pizza, and one of his friends showed up at our table. The friend ate most of our pizza, and then asked for a ride home!
There almost wasn’t a second date, but then he asked if I liked to roller skate, and I said ‘yes’ and we went skating for our second date. It was fun, and he was so cute. How could I resist?
Thirty-seven years later we look back not only with smiles, but with a few grimaces as well at all that we’ve shared: three children, many pets, lots of old cars, a few new cars, a fancy car, a couple of houses, bills we couldn’t pay, bills we didn’t want, getting into debt, getting out of debt, family troubles, marriage troubles, health troubles, kid troubles, trouble with the neighbors, three restaurants…the list goes on and on.
But through all that one thing remains certain, and that is the love of a good and gracious Savior. His outpouring of comfort and care on us and our family amazes me on a daily basis. I can’t look out my office window without thanking God for His faithfulness in our lives. The view of the country farms surrounding me reminds me of when I couldn’t pay to live in my own home, but what a plan He had in store for us when He led us to where we live now.
When I open my freezer or my cupboards and see the abundance of good things to eat, I remember when I couldn’t buy groceries.
When I look in my closet and see the great clothes He’s so graciously provided, I remember when the only thing I had to wear were the clothes my fashionable mother-in-law had tired of and thoughtfully gave to me.
When I look at Jim, I remember his brush with cancer and how my Savior healed him and handed him back to me so that I could continue this fabulous adventure we began thirty-seven years ago.
A couple of years ago my little sister gave me this tag. I love it and I keep it in my office 
because it reminds me of one thing: Sometimes a great story does start with a salad. Jim and I had the salad bar before our pizza came, and what a great story we’ve shared.
I thank my God each and every day for such a great friend, lover, comrade, adventurer, comedian and husband. He wasn’t all those things in the beginning, but then none of us are. We all need time, and maybe a second date!
© 2017, Ta`Mara Hanscom
Ta`Mara Hanscom 
A refreshing and heartfelt testimony. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading my blog! I really appreciate it!