Veronica

I mentioned the lovely and talented Mrs. Hull briefly in my introductory post. I want to say a little more about her.

We have been married for 25 years as of last October (2008). I met her in February, 1981 working in the Dining Hall at Tennessee Temple University. 28 years ago this month. She very graciously allowed me to take her out at the end of Feb. '81, and I haven't dated anyone since. (For all of you who value trivia, we went ice skating at the Chatanooga Choo Choo. That rink is no longer there.) This was a Freshman class outing, and a perfect chance to get to know the girl I had just met. It was a new experience for Veronica. She had never been ice skating. Little did she know how many new things she had to look forward to hooking up with me.

The thing about that date I find amusing is the advice from my friends. I was told I was crazy to take a girl to an outing like that. They thought it was better to go alone, so that I could, like they planned, talk to and skate with more than one girl. In my mind, I may have agreed, I don't remember. Likely, I thought that if we didn't enjoy each other's company, then I wouldn't ask her out again. What's a couple of hours? And, in spite of their "advice", I had already made the date. I couldn't break it. And besides, what was wrong with spending time with a girl as pretty as my date? Looking back, I wonder if they believed what they said, or couldn't get dates themselves.

Hindsight being 20/20, I can see how the Lord took care of me. I do not believe there is any other girl in the world that would have been as good a fit for me. God told Adam in Genesis 2 that He would "make him an help meet for him" (KJV). This is not the word "helpmeet". That isn't a real word. It is two words, help and meet. Actually, "a partner suitable". The ESV says "helper fit", and in the NASB its "helper suitable". God gave Adam the perfect partner. That is what God did for me. He gave me a perfectly fitted partner who has supported and walked with me through many changes in our lives.

Veronica has been beside me to encourage me, advise me, support me, and has been my best friend. I probably have been guilty of taking her for granted, but that changed a bit. I have realized again how much I need her. I don't want to get all sappy, but I do want to state how much she means to me. I also want to say how thankful I am the Lord allowed us to be married these years. I won't say that there has never been a disagreement. We do not always want the same things. What I appreciate is that she my friend. When I need to be stopped from making a mistake, she is a true friend. Friends don't say only what you want to hear, they say what you need to hear. She does that for me. Without getting too Hallmarkish (is that a word?),

Veronica, I Love You. Thanks.