Yes. I've been busy. Dating has led to a mutual love, something I thought after 11+ years of being a single mother I may never experience again. And you know what? I was okay with it. Yet, here I am with a ring on my finger, about to marry a guy who is so close to the version of Finn I dreamed up for Cena it's weird--downright freaky! Though Finn is a Brad Pitt-esque, Cougar alumnus, ex-football player turned graphic designer guy, and my guy doesn't have an artistic bone in his body and probably wouldn't remind you of Brad Pitt at all; he's still a green-eyed, sandy-haired, crooked-smiling, football-loving, BYU diehard fan almost to a fault, too much of a guy-guy type of guy. So, the similarities between my Finn fantasy and my fiancé reality, to me, are merely the differences between fact and fiction.
Don't worry. Just because I'm tying the knot this weekend doesn't mean I'm finished sharing my stories with you. Believe me. I have plenty of sins, hims, and whims tales to tell. 11+ years worth! Oh, and I haven't forgotten about my family history story that I promised to share. Life is just busy. Once things get back to a normal pace I'll get to work on that again. It's almost finished. I've condensed it to what I think will be a short sweet post. I'm hoping I'll have time to get to it within the next few months.
Anyway, all this marriage stuff has me feeling gratitude for the many trials I've had as a single mother. I see how each and every struggle has led me here to this place and this time. It was a broken, thorny path, that sometimes felt like an uphill climb. Lately, I think a few of those little thorns are stuck in my toes because I feel the sting of them as I continue to travel down this path that is now merging onto someone else's. Still, I know that had these difficulties not been mine, the blessings I'm experiencing now could not be mine either.
Tonight my thoughts and prayers for the single mothers out there are these: Know that the sacrifices and choices you make to serve your children and rear them in love will bring you the greatest blessings and will result in your happiness. And every night as you snuggle with your little ones, feeling exhausted and beaten down by the day, the Lord's arms are around you and your babies. I know this is true. I know it with all my heart. The tears welling in my eyes at this very moment testify to me yet again that I know this truth: The Lord is aware of your needs.
Sincerely,
JNP
