Nine Years! (Our Story)

Nine years ago I married this Canadian guy, Andrey. We met at church four years prior. We were friends. We hung out in the same social circle. We went to coffee shops to study together (he was in law school, I was studying nutrition). We were not remotely interested in each other.

I thought he was too nerdy and clean-cut for me. That was back when I still cared about being cool and actually thought I was. (Turns out self-awareness comes with age and putting off of the old self, or false self, comes with discipleship.) Andrey thought I was a little too "edgy." I used to dye my hair in wild colors - from platinum blonde to red/orange. You can see why it took nearly four years before things changed (although friends saw it well before we did).

Over those four years I changed a lot and learned more about who I really was. Andrey was still nerdy and clean cut but I began to see him very differently. He was a guy that everybody loves (still is!) with a personality that draws you to him. (How did I resist his manly charms for so long!?)

Alaska, 1999 - I'm the blonde in the front

Alaska, 1999 - Andrey is front right

Andrey and I led a home group together and got to know each other better. I was so impressed with how well we worked together and was especially impressed when he defended me to a guy in our group that said that it was okay for me to "serve refreshments" but not okay for me to pray out loud. I began viewing this nerdy guy in a different light. This guy was quality.

Then, a year or so later, God really turned on the light. I couldn't get him out of my mind so I prayed and prayed and prayed that the Lord would show me if this was it. He did. God asked me what I wanted and did I want Andrey? After listing all his wonderful qualities on paper and comparing them to my list of qualities I wanted in a husband (and I decided I could let the item good dancer go), I realized he measured up to everything. I told the Lord, yes, this is the guy I want. And this was before I really knew how great he is!

I kept this revelation to myself as Andrey was traveling in SE Asia (including Thailand and the Philippines, who knew?) after taking the BAR exam. What I didn't know is that he was also praying to try to figure out "what to do about Jen."

When he returned home to Seattle and we saw each other again at church, there was a huge spark. We made excuses to hang out a few times and soon after he asked me out on "some dates." I hid my extreme excitement as I heard this and responded with, "Umm, sure, that would be great." Then I went inside my house to my four female roommates and squealed on the floor like a school girl. Within a week of our first date we were madly in love. Like seriously giddy, drunk, can't focus on anything else, in love. Having to wait TWO months for that proposal felt like FOREVER!

He took me snowboarding and we got engaged on a snowy mountain in Vancouver. What a dreamy day!

Abbotsford, BC - January, 2002 - Engagement Party

Six months after the proposal, we married on July 12, 2002.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - July 2002 - Honeymoon

I had no idea how life-giving our relationship would be and where God would take us together. Andrey is my best friend and is absolutely my most favorite person to be with. He is so even keel and solid and kind and loving - even when I'm not so easy to love. And he is an amazing father.

He has played a huge part in the deep emotional and spiritual healing I have experienced over the past decade. I'll never forget when we got together when he called me a jewel of creation. This is a picture of true love. All made possible because of our Father in heaven who is the definition of Love. This is the kind of love that transforms and empowers and the whole thing is marked with joy.

I love you, Andrey! Happy Anniversary!