It seems my real life is about a month ahead of my blog life. I know I just told you about Haute Cakes and I calling it quits for now, when in reality that happened nearly 30 days earlier than the post about it. And now I'm going to reveal something to you that I didn't think I would so soon. Something I didn't think I had my head wrapped around quite enough to write about yet. But...I'm in love again. Ah yes---love. That base emotion that seems to find us when we're least looking, that leaves me feeling like a teenager trapped in a 34 year old body.
We're going to call new guy *Green Eyes*. And my oh my!-- Does he ever have the greenest eyes I've ever seen, with little flecks of gold in them. I've actually known him for 17 years. Back in high school, he 'romanced' me through 5 slow songs at a dance and invited me to come and watch his band play. I was giddy--but as soon as I told my friends about him, they gave me a hard time about him being a grade younger than me--so, I abandoned my intentions
(stupid peer pressure :) ! ) But I never forgot about him. We reconnected via Facebook back in March and discovered that we were both divorced. On a purely friendship basis, we attended a few events together. He never showed any interest in me, and--while I thought he was still as cute as he was back in high school--I was too wrapped up in Haute Cakes to even consider him as more than a friend.
After my recent break up, I wasn't looking for anyone else. Just ready to immerse myself in kids and school and friends---but a series of more-than-coincidence events put Green Eyes and I together. I had to admit that there were too many things that were too good about he and I for me not to take a chance. Even then, I certainly didn't set out to fall in love with the guy!--He felt the same about me. But, well, it happened.
Now comes the hard part--and the point where I've received a little revelation. Green Eyes and I are both Christians and devout in our faith. However, we're not of the same religion. In fact, around here--he and I dating are a bit like a Jew and Muslim deciding to give it a go. We respect one anothers beliefs. We share the same standards. And yet there are still things about us that are very, very different. Maybe I'm setting myself up for a disaster here? I know I need someone who not only understands me and supports me, but is essentially of one heart with me too.....Someone who can grasp the very depths of me.
That's where the little revelation part comes in.....I don't care. I DO care, but I don't. I have given up on the need to have all the answers. I know God is at work in my life, and I'm just going to let Him do His thing without me worrying about the how and why and when of it all. I've always appreciated the joy to be found in the journey, and this is no different. I will continue to stay true to myself and what I know to be right, and just see what happens.
In the mean time, I get to look at this face and into these eyes almost every day and smile.....
It's all good :)
30 comments:
What a great smile.
You're so bold to share, and yet, how can you not when you're working through questions and enjoying LIFE so much?
So over cyberspace I'm sending happy thoughts. And I'm going to go ponder the depths in a relationship between a Muslim and a Jew. That's deep Jennifer. Really deep.
Be blessed!
PS....this is Bono right?
Your blog and stories are like a guilty little pleasure!
That was fun to read. After my divorce I also "re-met" an old high school flame (that actually I met at a school dance and he invited me to hear his band!) through classmates.com. We've now been married for almost six years.
It's great. Sometimes I think he is exactly what I needed because he was someone who knew the real me not just the grownup more serious me.
Knowing what you mean about the religious differences, my gut feeling is....you will know if it is the wrong path. You sound happy. Roll with it. :)
best of luck. please do a part 2 tomorrow on this story :) it's better that the 5 hour pride and prejudice. -do you think collin firth has green eyes?-
Wow! Someone from the past; that could be good.
Go slow and you'll know.
Lisa Q
I am absolutely beaming for you!!
And, growing up LDS, I know how important it is to marry inside the faith. There are a lot of obstacles that relationships face when there are different beliefs.
But, I think even when you have two people that belong to the same religion, you tend to still have different beliefs. Yeah, maybe the core stuff is the same, but you might interpret the scripture a little differently or have a different personal relationship with Heavenly Father.
I think differences can be wonderful things and I think you'll both end up learning a lot from each other :)
When my parents divorced, my dad was ex-communicated in the church. After he repented, he met a nice (Baptist!) lady at the bank he used.
They just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last year. They've been sealed in the temple for 20 years this year.
Who would have known?
Goodness!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok, I could see myself melting if I was in your position......HOTTIE!! So sweet and adorable. On to the task at hand though...
I COMPLETELY understand what you mean on the "christian" thing. I'm a Presbyterian and I always always said that I wanted to marry someone that was also Presby. or at least close to the denomination. I am VERY liberal in my thinking and in my "christianity". Make sense? Anyway, I DID marry another Presby (am still married to him) and we are alike in that sense......but SO diff. in many many other aspects. My point being this....if you respect each other's opinions and beliefs, then I think things can work. Sometimes I honestly don't think that my own husband really "gets" me to the core, maybe he does but I don't really "know" that he does. We respect and love each other tremendously and that makes me happy.
Does this help AT ALL?
I also look at some really really unlikely couples that seem to be complete opposites and it seems to "work" for them. Like Democrats and Republicans marrying.....(my husband and I).
Ok, I'm rambling possibly...but understand where you're coming from.
If it feels right..go for it girl!! Sometimes we (women) just think too much. Sometimes we need to though.
Now, on a much lighter note......will you come help me with my kitchen dilemma's?
Oh isn't Facebook a wonderful thing? I reconnected with my dad's family after 31 years and met aunts and cousins I haven't seen in that amount of time. I wrote about it in my blog back in July.
I'm so glad you've fallen in love again!
He does have gorgeous eyes!
Dawn
Holy cats! That's one good looking man you've caught yourself there!
Very happy for you. :) Can't wait to hear more about your journey with him :)
Jen, I'm so glad your story is part adventure, part suspense and part romance! Your new guy sounds like a great one, and I'm glad you told us about him.
I still can't help but think about the abused wife who responded to your letter. I would imagine that living in such a marriage for so long would do serious damage to a woman's self-esteem. And even though she would know she had just cause to leave the marriage, a big part of her would probably feel too old, too broken-down, too unloveable to ever find something better. I pray about her when I think about her. If you ever do have contact with her again, maybe she could use a reminder that a heart like hers should be treasured.
I'm glad that your heart is going pitter-pat again, my sweet friend!
He's ADORABLE!! I hope everything works out for you Jennifer, for you really deserve it. Just let go and let God and everything will turn out the way it should. ENJOY :o)
How cute is he? I believe that all religions are just a different way of b. Ielieving in something bigger than yourself. If you have the same basic values, I think that religion is just a method to express those values.
Hey Jennifer, I understand your delimna, but I think it is wonderful you have found someone. Just enjoy it for now and let God continue to guide you.
Jennifer.
You get around.
Kidding.
He DOES have an amazing smile and gorgeous eyes.
Bet he's thinking he found himself and amazing woman.
I'm so happy for you.
Jennifer!
Yay!!! I am so excited for you!
XOXO
Jen
This was so wonderful to read :)
I noticed your FB profile pic has been the 2 of you for a while and your status has been "in a relationship" too. Just been waiting to hear more about it here ;)
Awwwww....I LOVE first love all over again!! So fun!
sounds like a perfect opportunity for you to re-think the religion part of your religion.
The parts that are good and true are good and true without "THE Church (lds)" that my dear is why you care, but dont care.
When it comes to faith in God - Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts
My husband was two grades younger than I was in high school, so we really didn't know each other then. We met years later through my younger brother and voila...found love. I agree that you have to let things take their course, especially when it comes to religion. It can be tricky, but I think that ultimately Christians believe in Jesus, his grace, and devine love. The other tidbits are really just details.
WOW! that *is* a little intense...and difficult to determine---but boy-- great kisses(i'm assuming) beautiful eyes, history----but religion.....yikes that can be tricky....i know you'll be fine and whatever will be whatever...good luck! (i'll be thinking of you!)
Oh!
Hubba!
Hubba!
Good for you sista!
I am LDS, my 1st husband was Morovian & my dh is Methodist. I raise our son LDS b/c I am the one who goes to church. That's the deal with us!
SOOOO cute! :)
I love him.
No, really...I can tell from the crinkle around his eyes (GREEN!) that he is good people. Therefore, I love him, in a "If he loves the Lord, then He's my brother" kind of way.
And really...this is a good thing.
There is JOY in the journey. And you've immediately reminded me of an old Dan Fogelberg song..."Along the Road." Go check out the best version of it, by Ashton, Becker, & Dente. It. Is. Amazing. And very applicable.
Dave was LDS and I'm a liberal Lutheran. We dated for a couple of years to ensure that we could both live with the other's beliefs. Time showed (and God) showed us that we were much more similar than different in our values and beliefs. We were very happy together and faith was never an issue once we were married (but we talked about it a lot while we were dating).
Oh... and P.S. Shane was not a member when we met, but we were pretty inseparable friends when he was baptized. One year after his baptism, we were married in the Mesa Temple. Just sayin'-- it could go either way. :)
I'm back here catching up jen! And wow...Green Eyes is YUMMY! I can't believe what a predicament you're in...and what amazing guys you have that will sit back and wait for you to make a decision. Ugh...it's heart wrenching.
I'm glad you're not making light of the religion thing though...it is way more important than some people might think.
My husband and I are of the same religion and STILL had a hard time coming to a common ground...and STILL have moments of "that's how you interpret that?? You're totally wrong". It's hard. And annoying.
Follow your heart!
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