The beautiful preacher in the picture above was the Associate Minister at my parent’s church near Nashville, Tennessee, in 2001. I had started a new job with a company in Nashville in November, 2000. The preacher started her new job in December.
Early in 2001 The Preacher started a Bible Study that my parents wanted to attend. Since Dad didn’t like to drive after dark, I told them I would attend with them so they could go with me. Everything went just fine for the first few weeks, but then my job started taking me out of town during the week. I missed several sessions of the Bible Study, although I did exchange e-mails with The Preacher in an attempt to keep up.
When my job allowed me to stay in town again, I offered to take The Preacher out to dinner so she could catch me up on some of the things I missed. The Iris Cafe had a pretty good reputation, so one evening, March 29, 2001, I picked up The Preacher and took her to dinner at the Iris Cafe. The dinner was delicious, the conversation was delightful — and the Bible Study never came up.
As we were leaving The Preacher said we should do this again some time. She doesn’t like for me to tell this, but the next two times I asked her out she said ‘No’! Fortunately I inherited some Irish persistence from both my parents and asked her out for a third time. I must have worn down her resistance, because she said ‘Yes’ that third time.
The Preacher is now my Beautiful Bride. The Iris Cafe is no longer in existence, but we reminisce every time we go past where is was.
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I’m very grateful for that wonderful dinner date nine years ago today.
Tags: American Life, Betsy
Senior Moments 
March 29, 2010 at 7:31 am |
ahhh. so heartfelt. i cud feel the love in the air.
March 29, 2010 at 8:28 am |
aaawwww how sweet…George, you and Betsy have the most wonderful relationship!!! …
March 29, 2010 at 9:01 am |
So happy for you!! Love the way the Lord arranges dates! At least you didn’t have to wait 7 years like my cousin-in-law had to wait for my cousin to say YES! She turned 70 this month and we had a fantastic family celebration – where he shared how long he had to wait!! He fell in love when she was 17 and had to wait until she was 23 before she said, “I do.” They are still deliriously happy like you two!!
March 29, 2010 at 9:03 am |
Oh….sweet destiny!!!!
March 29, 2010 at 9:26 am |
What a sweet romantic tale. Persistance pays off. You two are a delight.
MB
March 29, 2010 at 10:26 am |
I love this story any time I hear it…from you or Betsy. It needs to be told at least once a year…from each of you.
March 29, 2010 at 11:08 am |
What a lovely story and a great picture! Was this a Lutheran church? It kind of looks like one. I bet those next two dates she was just playing hard to get!
March 29, 2010 at 4:53 pm |
Lovely post George.
You just never know when cupid will shoot his arrow.
March 29, 2010 at 7:10 pm |
What a beautiful story! Happy anniversary to both of you. May your life have only beautiful and romantic moments like this one.
March 29, 2010 at 7:28 pm |
I didn’t know about the “no” part. She’s been keeping that a secret. I know she’s glad you were persistent.
March 29, 2010 at 8:19 pm |
Persistence paid good dividence.I wish you many more years to make more happy memories.
Blessings,Ruth
March 29, 2010 at 9:03 pm |
What a special day for the 2 of you. I hope you have many more.
Not a hard day for me to remember as it’s also my BD.
March 30, 2010 at 9:39 am |
What a great story! I didn’t realize that Betsy was a preacher. God has greatly blessed both of you!
March 31, 2010 at 6:38 pm |
A happy belated anniversary of sorts George.
Sweet story.