You've all been waiting!
November 14th, 2009, Mike Dombrowski knocked my socks off.
Just four days short of our seven month anniversary, I began the morning by making a huge, delicious breakfast for Mike. He had mentioned the night before how he might have to go into work the next day. I was really bummed. We only get so many hours a week to be together, and I didn't know when I would have another Saturday off. But work is work, and so I sent him off with a kiss, and headed over to the house to do some prayer/dancing/singing/cleaning. I was there for a couple of hours, and then headed back to my house.
I enjoyed some pamper time since Mike said he wouldn't be back before I had to go to girl's night. Tiff had called for one a week and a half before this- and I was THRILLED. I had immediately said yes, and was still excited to hang out with an all female company, although I was less excited since I didn't get to spend time with my boyfriend. But I got dressed, choosing the cute shoes instead of the comfy ones (of course). Tiffany had texted me to see if I wanted to ride with her, but I told her I was already going to be in town. Good thing I took the car.
We had just gotten our first snow of the year, barely a few inches, but it had stuck to the ground around the sidewalks. It was fairly chilly as I drove to Starbucks and parked in the same spot I had parked in on our first date. I walked down past the shops, barely two minutes late, and entered the shop. Everyone else was already there, sitting in a circle on the couch by the stairs, an empty spot on the end of the couch. I slid in, thankful for time with my girls. We chatted for about fifteen minutes. I had asked if we were going to dinner, and Tiffany had said that we would decide when we got there, so I hadn't eaten and I was starving. I was just enjoying the chatter, as Tiffany got up, walked over, and knelt to get something out from behind the couch. She brought out two purple irises and an envelope. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered what was going on.
"Well, youngin', you aren't allowed to stay here anymore. We're kicking you out." and she handed me the flowers.
Oh my gosh, this is happening right now.
"But I wanted to hang out with you guys!" They are all laughing, totally tickled with themselves for being in on the secret. "I didn't wear the cute underwear!" I had almost worn them too. "Well he's not going to see them, so who cares?!" "I care! I forgot to brush my teeth!" "He won't notice!" "But I wanted to hang out with you guys!" "Yeah, right!" "I'm going to walk SO slow! Make him sweat it out!" "Don't do that!" "I have to pee!" They are all dying of laughter.
"You are going to bawl!" "No one called to tell me to wear the waterproof mascara!?" "You don't think that may have given it away?!"
There was no way I was going to cry. I was too excited.
The letter reads:
"Sarah,
Here our relationship began. What a wonderfully unexpected evening filled with your good company. Who could have guessed that Starbucks served more than coffee and pastries? What I found here in this place was not great coffee or a tasty cheese Danish, but a captivating young woman hungry for God that overflows with life. Sarah, you are an amazing woman of God that is filled with His spirit. Our meaningful relationship speaks to my heart.
The Iris represents faith, wisdom, valor, and meaningful relationship.
Your next destination, "Yes way Josie's""
I am floored. He was having me follow our first date. After stopping off at the bathroom, I sat and prayed with these wonderful women who had gathered to assist in what would be a landmark in my life. They are such a blessing in my life.
I decided to walk. The chill in the air was nothing compared to the warm glow in my heart. I couldn't quite believe that this wonderful man really wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I looked up at the stars as I casually walked down the quiet streets. I prayed most of the way, just thanking God for how gracious and generous He had been to me. I sang our song as I crossed "our" intersection, where I had surprised him this summer. I reached No Way Jose's in what seemed like no time, enjoying and savoring each step. This would be over be for I knew it, and I would never get it back- I was going to enjoy it!
I looked through the window of the Mexican restaurant as I opened the door. What I saw next surprised me and made complete sense at the same time. My sisters. He had brought my sisters down to enjoy this time, this night, this incredible experience with me. Nothing could have been more perfect.
I was surprisingly calm as I hugged them. "We thought you'd be crying!" "I can't, I'm too excited!" They handed me an envelope and purple stock flowers.
"Sweetheart,
"Yes Way Josie's" has some great Mexican food. Wouldn't you agree? Interestingly enough, the food is not what I remember when I think back to our first night out on the town. If you would think back to that evening, lively conversation and colorful feelings came out that night. I got a glimpse of a heart that feels the world we live in. Sarah, you see the worlds and the beauty that God has placed in it.
When you spoke that evening, I saw beauty too. This beauty is contained within you and maintains a commanding presence where ever you might travel.
Sweetheart, you are beautiful to me. Your beauty, both inside and out, commands my attention. When your heart speaks and you look at me with those eyes, I am overwhelmed in a good way. It is at those times that I know your beauty is by His design and it will last for eternity.
I give you this Stock flower as it represents how you will always be beautiful to me.
So, tell me... how does it feel to be a "10"?
Your next destination, P.O. Box 3074."
Can this man write or what?
We headed out. Rachel and Danielle were shocked I hadn't drove. "No wonder it took you so long!" "We are going to freeze!"
It didn't take us long to reach the post office, and by this point I'm expecting people to pop out at any moment. I approached our p.o. box with some anticipation. A ring box and a sunflower greeted me. I looked at my sisters. "What did he think I would think? He'd leave the ring here with the two of you, and he's off, what, having a beer with Dustin, or what?" They're laughing. "Just open it!" Just then some guy walked in behind me, and since I'm expecting people to pop out anytime, I look at him like he's somebody, and he just opens his box, pulls out his mail and leaves. We have a great picture of me going, "Who's that guy?!" I opened the ring box, which contained another note. (You're enjoying this, right? I know I am!)
"My love,
Special Delivery!!!!
You are not going to get away that easy!
This sunflower represents a quality that you display to me every day, devotion. Each day we meet, you tend to my needs, ask me about my day, and offer a hug to help ensure that "perma-grin" stays in place. Such devotion is not common in today's world and even less so by those in relationships. This one truth is readily apparent to me; you will make a wonderful mother and wife.
Speaking of devotion, your next destination is the River Church."
By this point, I am overcome with passion for this man. This wonderful, God-given man. I can't believe what all he is doing for me. We headed back down Main Street to the van, with a quick stop at Starbucks to visit the bathroom again (Hey, this time it wasn't me!). The women all introduced themselves to my sisters, since I was completely blank on names at the time. We headed out across town, which, thinking back, wasn't the best plan for me to be driving, because I have no idea how fast I was going. I also was stopping where there weren't stop signs and not stopping where there were stop signs. Oh well. Mike had asked Rachel and Danielle to record me telling our love story, because it is one of our favorite things to tell each other. Just a hint to any of you who want to put the passion back into your relationship: Tell your spouse your love story. It's the best thing you can do for each other.
We managed to reach the church without getting pulled over (Thank you Jesus), and there on the front window sill was a daisy and a note. Each time I am disappointed Mike isn't standing there, but I also am enjoying the intrigue. This one is addressed to "Princess". Sarah means "Princess", and poor Mike, how well he knows it! Earlier in life, I used to abuse the title, then it was a label of shame, because I didn't deserve such an honor. But the Lover of my soul has shown me how special I am to Him, and how He didn't make a mistake giving me such a status in life. "Our weaknesses are usually our strengths out of focus", Sharon Cox said one time. How true that is. If you are seeking who you truly are, and who our Creator made you to be, ask Him to reveal it to you. That is not a secret He would like to keep!
"Princess,
Did you ever guess that you would find yourself at the church on this fine rainy Saturday evening?
Something I learned about you that first night was that you are a special woman with special convictions. The Gerber Daisy symbolizes gentleness. The words you spoke that evening were words of gentleness. They were heart warming and encouraging. I never thought I would find a woman with such a special heart. You are truly one of a kind. Certainly the one of a kind I can live with for the rest of my life.
You are not done yet. Remember the bench we sat on that first night?"
We had ended that first night on a bench down the street from Starbucks, not content to say goodnight just yet, but exhausted, and for me, blistered. That was the place I had first seen the righteous spirit within Mike, and had listened intently to his passionate heart. A heart that sounded an awful lot like my Savior's. We headed back across town; again, without getting pulled over, not a small miracle. I parked this time in front of Cold Stone Creamery, which I found out later had been his grand master hiding spot for the evening. I rounded Starbucks for the fourth time that night.
And saw him.
Standing in front of our bench in his new jeans and navy striped shirt under his leather jacket, and looking, well, breathtakingly handsome. He saw me and his face lit up. We both could hardly contain ourselves. In sharp contrast to the gushing tears I thought I'd have rolling down my cheeks, I was smiling so big they hurt instead. How did we get here? How was I so lucky as to have this man standing there, waiting to ask for my hand? My boots confidently found themselves down the pavement as I breathed in this magical moment. All I could think was, "I love this man."
I reached him, after what seemed like an eternity.
If you want to hear what he said, you'll have to ask me. Yes, I am that mean. And it was that good.
I said yes. After what seemed like an eternity to him. :)
We kissed. Our journey was just beginning. And what a perfect beginning it was.
