"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." ~Mignon McLaughlin

It was November 15, 1986, also a Saturday that year, and the weather was much like today - cold and cloudy.  Also like today, I was recovering from an upper respiratory infection.  But this day 28 years ago was pretty special.  There was this tall, dark and handsome young fella from Austin who was a senior at Texas A&M, and he was coming to visit me.  

We had met in April of that year - a "blind date" arranged by a mutual friend, that really turned into a bust.  I didn't even know it was a "date," or who I was supposed to be matched with until the evening was almost over.  Neither of us was impressed, and we both went on about our merry ways.  He even told our "matchmaker" (Hal) that he thought he would give the girls in College Station a chance first.  (He denies that quote to this day, but I don't think Hal made it up! ;) )  

I guess the girls in College Station didn't pass the test, because in September he called me, and then we began writing letters.  Weekly exchanges turned into almost daily writings, where we shared information about our lives and came to know more about each other.  We still have all of those letters tucked away in a box.  

Finally, a mutual time was arranged, and Jeff made the trip from College Station to Longview, and on November 15, we spent the day together.  I remember every detail of that day - the ride in his 1980 Honda Accord (it was Aggie maroon, of course), to the Kilgore Oil Museum, the pizza we ordered for lunch as we prepared to watch the Aggie football game on TV, and then the dinner at Johnny Cace's restaurant followed by a performance of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra.  I also remember how it felt as we walked into the restaurant that evening, and he held my hand for the first time.  

Twenty-eight years, a wedding, two apartments, four houses, three kids, four - six dogs (depending on if you count our kids' dogs), one son-in-law, some additional pounds, and several grey hairs later, here we are.  

Every year since 1986, we have remembered our first date anniversary together.  We don't do anything "big," but we do take time to remember.  

Remembrances are important.  God thinks so - look at the feasts and memorials He established for the Israelites that are repeated throughout the Old Testament to help them remember where they had been, and what God had done for them.  We, too, also recognize an important remembrance each Lord's Day as we observe His supper as He instructed.  We need to be reminded.

So today, as I think about things I often take for granted, I am thankful for first date anniversaries, and the twenty-eight years of memories they bring to mind.  And I'm especially thankful that Jeff made his way back to me after giving those girls in College Station a chance.  What a loss for them, but what a blessing for me!  I truly have the best!