My Story...Part 2

If you are curious about what happens next in my story.......

During the time that I decided I was going to take a break....I was managing a music store in Shoreline. I met some new friends and I don't think I need to tell you what happens when you mix music, Seattle and taking a "break"! Nothing to over the top but stuff that back in the day I thought for sure you were on the road to hell for doing. But I was having fun and that was my goal!

Ok...now is where Todd enters into the picture. I knew him from the few times he would visit the store. One day I decided I needed to hire a guy to do all the heavy and dirty work for me. As I was literally putting up the now hiring sign, he walks in and says he needs a part time job. So one-two-buckle my shoe....I had a new employee. Todd has a story of his own and its not up to me to reveal it but lets just say he was not the sort you would immediately think about taking home to meet Ma and Pa. But I found him intriguing and well....who wouldn't want a piece of this????

But as much as I found him attractive...I also found him to be infuriating! I knew he found me attractive and yes...I liked that but it seems like he was always trying to get under my skin, stirrings things up. Once he found out my background he was constantly trying to challenge me. I didn't know him very well but I was irritated and confused as to how he would even know what he was talking about. Why was he even trying to challenge my beliefs when his lifestyle didn't reflect any beliefs at all! Why did it even matter to him? Well as irritating as he was and inspite of it all, I was still immensely attracted to him. The magnetic pull between us could not be ignored so against my better judgement (at the time), we started dating. "But it will be ok" is what I told everyone. "It's not like I'm gonna marry the guy !"

When I came to know (and love) his family, I found out he actually had a strong Christian background. A foundation obviously deeply buried and hidden deep. But we had somewhat of an understanding between us.....I wouldn't talk about what I believed, he would give me break and we would just go on from there.

My life seemed to be taking a turn that I never imagined it would. I still FELT I believed everything, but the way I was living was pulling me closer to the point of no return. I ended up loving him and absolutely could not be with out him! But I just couldn't figure out how to do both. Even though the thought of going back to my old life was a dreadful thought. And that thought would only come up because again, its all I knew. I didn't really want that as my way of life anymore but when your told its the only way to Heaven then you can't help NOT think about it at times. You can't help not worry about it. So I told myself again, like I had many times before, that I would just deal with it at another time. Somehow I would make this all workout. There has to be another way!

So meanwhile..life went on. We continued to spend every spare moment together. Most of the time at his parents house because we were to broke to do anything else. It got so I really looked forward to being at his home and hanging out with his family. They totally loved and treated me like one of their own. The relationship this family had was so unique and I found myself wondering what it was that made them so different. Not that I didn't have a good and loving family of my own, but there was something about them that was drawing me in. On Sundays I would watch his family go to church while Todd and I would stay behind. They always seemed to have an eagerness and joyful spirit about going. This seemed somewhat strange to me because personally I never really had that attitude about church. It was always more of a feeling of obligation as oppose to something to look forward to. Looking back I think this was the first tiny seed that was planted.

While we were dating, Todd was going to school for his photography degree. To graduate he was required to do an internship with someone that was in the field that he was pursuing. By the grace of God he was placed with a woman that would help change his life and which ultimately helped change mine.

To be continued....