Had you told me that that introduction would have been the start of an amazing friendship and the beginning of a lifelong relationship, I would have quickly laughed and said, "you really don't know me, do you?"
It was my senior year of college, my final collegiate season of rowing and my determination to prove successful in academics and athletics kept me on a perfectly straight line headed towards the perfect career - although I didn't know what it was, I was sure it would find me. I for one did not have the time for a relationship, especially a "first" relationship. My Type-A personality had already planned my schedule. That means, I had every last minute mapped out that year. I knew where I needed to be and why I needed to be there, which is why I was at the first FCA of the 2008-2009 school year.
While I had only attended Clemson for a full year at that point, I already had a great group of friends and connections with many people on campus. That's one of the amazing things about Clemson. You can have a class with someone and never speak to them in that semester. However, if you see them at a University event you automatically know that you have a friend. You slightly remember the persons name, you have that awkward but fun introduction time and then you begin a conversation that could easily be found in a comfortable coffee or ice cream shop. I was seeing friend after friend and new faces all around. I am a talker so a few people got more time than others and some just got a wave.
My friend Chris and I were talking after the service, catching up on each others summer activities, when this guy comes up and starts talking to Chris. Since I was already in a conversation with Chris, I was of course involved in this new conversation brought to him. This random guy, who I do not know starts talking about where he was sitting and who sat down with his group during FCA. I like people, I get energy from being around people and therefore feel like I am perceptive to personalities. This guy seemed like a easy-going type and so I speak up; "Well don't you think you're special." He froze and semi-smiled, then I introduced myself. He did the same; "Hi, I'm Philip." Chris and him were in a small group together. The year before, I had actually met Chris for the first, or maybe second, time at the first FCA of the year because of an old friend from High School. Who would have known that a year later my new friend Chris was introducing me to the man I would spend the rest of my life with?
Needless to say, Philip and I had become friends. I was at dinner the next night, Friday the 29th, with a friend and he was coming into the same restaurant with his group of guys as we were leaving. Both of us are confident people and immediately reunited the introduction from the previous night. Now, again, I was focused on ME. I knew I wanted to rock my thesis for my senior year in my Communication degree. I knew I wanted to be the coxswain of the Varsity 8 boat and help our Lady Tigers have the best season of Clemson Rowing to date. Finally, I knew that I wanted to graduate from Clemson and have to turn down jobs because I was just that amazing - okay, don't worry... being humble will be another blog! Because of all of these things that "I knew" I saw my friendship with Philip as a friendship for a year that would probably become a "leave a Birthday note on Facebook" type-of-friendship... Oh, I was so wrong!
It's two years later and he is my best friend.
He is my the only boyfriend I've ever had.
He is my fiance'.
He is my future husband!
He is a blessing I was at first ignoring from God.
He is the Cowboy, a good ol' Southern gentleman, who made Prince Charming look like a Rodeo Clown. I could not have asked for anyone else because God knows who is perfect for me.
It's two years later and I could not be more thankful for the people I have had in my life that brought him into my life!
Happy two years of the greatest friendship ever Philip! I love you!
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