Tuesday, February 5, 2008

The Story of Us - Tricia's Version (Part 1)

(Tricia has been reading, along with you, my account of our story...as I mentioned, her account is different than mine, as is her style of story-telling, but it's equally as fun...here's Part 1)

To me, this story also seems like it began just a day ago and I wished these moments could last forever. But, my side you will see, will be a bit more realistic and pessimistic, so beware.

My family moved from South Jersey where I was born and raised to good ol’ North Carolina. It was quite a cultural shock, and, although I loved the southern folks I was surrounded by (some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet unlike the frank and sinister northerns, generalization), I missed the family and friends I grew up with. The move change my perspective on life and me as a person in general.

It was the later part of August when my family visited about 3 different churches all in one Sunday. Three different denominations, yes, we are cultured like that, and Nathan’s church was the last we went to. I remember sitting in the charming, small, 50’s feel church pew singing my heart out and seeing a cute guy who was playing the guitar wearing a Hawaain shirt. I remember his sister who sang and I thought to myself, boy she is wearing a lot of blue eye makeup (sorry sarah). And, I may never forgive myself for this, but I remember seeing Nathan’s father, Pastor Rick, who I thought was cute (in an old man kind of way).

I left that service, greeted by the Lawrenson family and headed home thinking to myself, “I will only come back if someone my age personally invites me.” Yes, apparently I was having a snob moment. It was that evening I received a phone call from Nathan who invited me to their study that evening at the church. I honestly didn’t want to go and told him, I might come. So I went.

A bonus to attending the study that evening was my parents let me drive our jeep which I, as an 18 year old felt like the coolest girl in town. So I left on a drizzly Sunday evening to the church, in the car with the music blaring. I was very nervous about meeting people my age in a different place for the first time but as soon as I walked in, it felt immediately like home.

My favorite memories of the old Nags Head Church building was being there on rainy nights, it was a wonderful nostalgic feeling. That night Matt Glock taught and I sat close to him. Nathan was sitting to my side and all I could think of was, boy is he goofy. He claims to be goofy in front of attractive ladies to this day. I did get a better first impression of him that evening.

Later on I drove the jeep to Lost Treasure Golf’s put put course where we ended up not playing because of the rain. It was here where Nathan was able to have his first conversation with me. We talked about the music I was listening to, his school at the time-Nyack, NY, family friends, etc. I really enjoyed our conversation and thought to myself, he could easily be my best friend.

We then drove off to Pizza Hut (grose), where I was escorted out of my car by a nice southern gent., T! I was rearranged in seating to sit next to Nathan where all I can remember is eating nasty chicken wings.

It’s funny the connection with chicken wings. The day I found out I was pregnant I was baking them. And they have popped up several other important events in our lives.

Tricia

52 comments:

CFHusband said...

I love how Tricia says, "Nathan was able to have his first conversation with me"...like she was all that and a pancake...

Nate

Anonymous said...

LOL. You guys are too cute!!! Hi Tricia. We continue to pray for your and your precious daughter.

Fran

Christy said...

he,he. Girls rule and boys drool. >:0)

Both of your versions are great.

Anonymous said...

You guys are too funny! T and I were reading Nate's versions last night and this morning and now yours. We both remember these so clearly as well, just like it was yesterday. I was new to the church too and I remember thinking it was so nice to have another "newbie" around. I remember being quiet as a mouse (still am of course - sometimes that is).

Love ya,

T, Allison and Colin

Coach Prentice said...

Hi Tric! *waves*

Anonymous said...

Tricia,

It was so good to hear your version. I enjoyed the details where Nate's was pretty much bare facts (sorry Nate)

Jessica

Andie said...

It is fun to hear Tricia's side of the story! Nathan...she is all that and a STACK of pancakes! Glad you are feeling well enough to add your side to the story!
Blessings for continued healing-
Andie

Princess Talana said...

Hi Tricia :)

Nate and you sound and your "Story of Us" sounds a lot like my hubby and I. He knew right away, while I was just going about my day.

Sylvie said...

Yep, and I was sitting next to Matt Glock too, but on the other side! ;-)

Tricia, I love your way of telling the story!

We think of you a lot, and pray for good lungs...

Good lungs and good chicken wings to celebrate!

Anonymous said...

It is nice to hear from you Tricia!
We are praying for you and your family everyday
here in Alabama!

Candy said...

I love hearing stories of how couples got together, especially when you get to hear BOTH sides! Thanks for what you've shared and I'm looking forward to "the rest of the story"

Continued prayers,
Candy

Anonymous said...

My husbnad and I have been following your story for a long time now and Praying for you for Months.I love watching the way that the Lord is using you to bless people all over the world. I read something in your last post about a guy named Matt Glock. I grew up in a church years and years ago in Adelphi MD and we were friends with a Glock Family. They had a son named Matt, who is in ministry I beleive and lives in NC,could this be the same person? My parents are still friends with his parents Russ and Pat, if it is the same Matt. what a small world.
I will continue to pray for you.
Heather

Anonymous said...

It means so much to read something from you, Tricia. (We love to hear from Nathan too) but it's so encouraging to hear your perspective.

You have been, you are, and you will be in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Hey Girl!!!!! We're praying for you every night - Charisma already knows Gwyneth's name! Love you and would love to come and see you sometime - I'll see if I can work it out.
~Sheryl

Anonymous said...

it is SO great to have a post from TRICIA!!!!!! God is so good!!! Praise the Lord! Tricia- thank you for sharing YOUR side of the story...I can't wait to hear the rest of it! We are praying for you dearly!!! May God continue to watch over you and your sweet baby girl. Thank you for sharing her with us!

Anonymous said...

Matt Glock here, the guy who was sitting between Sylvie and Tricia...

As far as dates go here's my take... I'm thining that it was the first Sunday of August, that means the 6th.

Heather, you right, you are talking about me.

Marsmile said...

So neat to hear your version, Tricia! Thank you for taking the time to share your side. It seems like you are recovering well and I pray you will keep up your strength amidst everything. :-)

By the way, I probably would be like you-- going on with my day and not even 'wonder or think' that a guy 'might be or is' the one. I have no clue how one knows especially from first sight or the first few times of getting together. I asked Nate how does one know?! Apparently, as others have told me, it is unexplainable-- you just know. What do you think? Might as well be one of the world's mysteries. ;-)

Get some good rest,
Marissa :-)

Anonymous said...

like PP says you guys are too cute and make a wonderful team it seems like...tricia hang in there God has a miraculous plan for you sweety..stay strong and you have a lot of people routing for you...i am happy for you maybe on the road to feeling just a tad bit better i hope..god bless.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great belly laugh.
"GOOFY" huh?
You guys are too funny.
And I would have to say she is still all that and a pancake!
So glad you're feeling well enough to give us your version, Tricia. I'm looking forward to more.
HAPPY FOUR WEEK BIRTHDAY GWNETH
Love, Prayers and Hugs

Anonymous said...

It really is such fun to hear both sides of the story! And Tricia, it's great to hear from you! My family is praying for your family.

Oh, and it's Tuesday! Will we get to see a photo of Gwyneth with the pug? Love the photos!

Donna in Michigan

Anonymous said...

HEY TRICIA
HOW NICE IT IS TO HEAR YOUR SIDE OF YOUR WONDERFUL LOVE STORY
IF YOUR TYPING TO "US"... I AM THINKING YOU MUST BE FEELING PRETTY GOOD AND THAT IS ANOTHER PRAYER ANSWERED =) =)
WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU ALL & YOUR FAMILIES
L.I.N.Y.

Anonymous said...

Tricia, it is GREAT to hear your side of the story, although I enjoy Nate's persepctive, too. I thougth my husband was a little strange too when I first met him. But eventually, I could not resist him! As he says, in his best Pepe Le Peu impersonation, "Do not fight the love!"

Keep on blogging! I never tire of the updates. Praying every day!

~Sara in MD

Anonymous said...

"All that and a pancake"?!?! Nice! Hearing Tricia's side of the story makes me smile - although I don't know you, there are some things that ring true everywhere: there are two sides to every story! My husband and I have a similar "seating being rearranged at the table during a group outing" the first time we were out together. Isn't love grand! Praying for your family and enjoying the chance to get to "know" you better! Thanks again for blogging!

Anonymous said...

omg ,why did you stop?

Unknown said...

I think it is funny that you two remember things differently. Same with me and my hubby. :^) I remember it the Right way. :^)

Now, in the midst of all this love story stuff (which is great, BTW), don't forget we like to see pictures of that lovely little bambina, too!

Anonymous said...

thats really funny about the chicken wings, lol. can't wait to hear more :)

Anonymous said...

Love the story... I just came across a web site that you guys should check out. Its called www.blurb.com and people make books for all sorts of things..but I saw some really neat ones that documented families blogs-- just thought I would pass it along!

Jen said...

Haha I think it's great how Nathan talked about the chicken wings like Tricia loved them while in reality she thought they were nasty. :)

Jenn said...

First time commenter here..been a lurker. :o) Letting you know that I'm praying for you in San Antonio, Texas!

Love "The Story of Us".... especially Tricia's version....love all the little details. Looking forward to reading part 2.

Blessings!

Amber said...

Tricia,
Praying and fasting for you today!

Anonymous said...

It is nice to hear your version of the story, Tricia. I so admire your faith and courage. I'm praying daily for you to be strong. I know you're going through a very difficult time.

BTW, you have a beautiful baby girl… and one day some boy is going to be swept off his feet by her just like her daddy was by you. ;)

Marilyn said...

Dear Tricia,

I'm SO glad you are feeling well enough to blog! An answer to prayer. We will continue to pray for you, Nate and of course Gwyneth!

RiLes said...

Absolutely classic. Love hearing more about you guys :) Still praying from sunny AZ :)

debangel said...

Funny how pancakes are coming up today...in some places, Mardi Gras is "Pancake Day"!

Also, Tricia...my dad always told me that chicken wings make you fly. Of course, this was in the days before Red Bull. It's terrific to hear from you!

Anonymous said...

I am thinking that there is bound to be a book/movie deal here somewhere! This is a love story that the rest of the world needs to know about!

You two are priceless! What a testimony!

Blessings,
Susan

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

You guys are a sweet, funny adorable couple! I will continue to pray for you guys!

Anonymous said...

I think you guys make a great stack
of pancakes!!
Love and prayers to you and your
families and a very blessed Lent.
Love,
Pam & Ray Matthews

Anonymous said...

I love reading your story....but, it's Tuesday....and I've gotten used to seeing Gwyneth with her puppy dog......on Tuesdays.

:-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Tricia.

The blue eye shadow is funny.

Anonymous said...

All I'm saying is that Tricia is the girl in this relationship so her version has to be the truth!

Here's to pancakes! :o)

Stay strong Tricia. So great to hear from you!

Blessedw5mom said...

Thanks so much Tricia, for your version ... you two make an adorably cute pair!!! Praise God!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to read your writings, finally, Tricia - keep 'em coming!

Praying for you and Gwyneth!

Anonymous said...

That was awesome! Her version is way better, Nathan!

Seriously, thanks for sharing both sides...so much fun!

Unknown said...

Tricia! It's so wonderful to see your name signed at the bottom of the post! What a testimony to the Father's faithfulness!! :)

I love hearing your side of the story. Thanks for sharing!

Summer said...

don't leave us hanging! :)

Anonymous said...

Go Tricia!

Great to hear directly from the pancake!

Nate,

1) Girls versions are ALWAYS right
2) When in doubt, refer to #1.

Emily said...

Tricia!
I love hearing both sides of your love story :) So awesome!

You are a huge encouragement to me, Tricia... in so many areas of my life (not to mention CF :)...Just wanted to say that!

With lots of love and prayers for you,
Emily (in California)

Nichole said...

The correlation of chicken wings and important events in your relationship is hilarious. I have certainly never heard that one before! :o)

Melissa Dovel said...

This is funnnnnnE! From an out siders point of view I read Nate's version and I could picture an old sappy love story with the music in the background from the sound of music. I read Tricia's version and its all cautious and theres the da da da DDDDDDAAAAAA thing going on. For reals its so obvious how lucky you both are to have found each other!

Blessings to you both and to many MANY more years of marriage!

Jenny said...

I love finally hearing from Tricia!

And I love the differences in the story, but also the ways they're the same. I'm intrigued. :)

Anonymous said...

Matt,
I went to Wallace church as a kid. My parents are Ted and Carol Smith. I do not know if you remember them or me.
Small world.
We have been praying for your friends.
Tricia,
Praying for you.
Heather

Chris said...

Tricia I can SO relate to Pizza Hut being "gross" LOL! I'm a Jersey girl too (I grew up in a small town at the NE tip of Jersey called Norwood) - My kids are MD born and bred, and their idea of pizza and mine and hubbys (also from NJ, but closer to where you grew up) are TOTALLY different!

Pizza Hut does not have...REAL pizza!

I look forward to the next installment!

Chris/Rhin (from Worshiptogether forums)