the meeting
The summer sun was still blazing and had dried out a bit of the morning humidity. I was with my best friend, Scott and we got to the softball field a good hour before the 6pm game. We always took the church softball league pretty seriously (we did end up winning the championship that year!), so upon exiting Scott’s mom’s minivan, we were ready to play. My attention was quickly grabbed by a lovely young lady milling around on one of the swings…just kicking dust and shooting the breeze with her best friend Ann. Being a typical 15 yr old, no matter how much I was charged for a good competition, I was immediately and unequivocally distracted by this young blond, green eyed princess…just sitting on the swing.
Without reservation, I made my way over:
“Hey, I’m Darren.”
“Hi. I’m Misty”
“That’s a nice name”
“Thanks.”
At fourteen a girl still wants to hear that they look older. Knowing that, I appropriately responded to her beauty with a subtle pickup line:
“How old are you?”
“14″
“Oh, you look older”
“Thanks”
I was pretty confident that I made a good impression as we moved toward the field to warm up. Little did I know that I was in store for a big impression of my own.
I was playing outfield that game, and short stop was covered by Joe Costello. Joe, was 17 and significantly bigger than I was. In the top of the 6th, a short pop fly had me sprinting in from the outfield. I knew it would be close, so I was moving pretty fast. Then it happened, a full force, head-on collision. I didn’t even see Joe till I was regaining consciousness and being hoisted into the ambulance. I have a tendency to play sports with reckless abandon. Often this leaves me with broken bones. This time it was just a concussion, but I broke Joe’s nose, so I guess that counts.
Something extraordinary was birthed from that fabulous concussion. Misty, a shy 14 year old girl, stepped out of her comfort zone and contacted Scott’s mom to get my phone number. She found enough boldness to check in on me the next day. And that was it…we started talking regularly. Three months later, in October 1995, we went to the Red Bank Regional Homecoming dance…and it was official. It has been exclusive ever since.
Eight years later, in June 2003 – we wed. That’s another story. By the way, Scott and Ann got married too :)
– – – –
I got an email today asking for the story of how we Misty and I met…so there it is.
We have a Dr appointment tomorrow morning (monday) with our new general practitioner. Livi is still sick, so she’s gonna visit the doctor as well. We miss having her at home. Today was ok…some ups and some downs. I taught Misty how to play checkers – that was an up. She had some trouble but caught on pretty well.
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Neat story – especially that both of you guys married the girls!!
Will be praying for Misty and Olivia tomorrow!!
Misty and Darren,
Loved the story, God is so in control. Hope both of your girls get good reports. I love starting my day with you’ll. I then know how to direct my prayers. I
send love and prayers.
Pat Jordan
smiling….. with tears. Nice story. Will you share which doctor you chose and why?
What a wonderful LOVE story that with God’s help will continue many more loving years. Prayers to you all today and everyday
Darren, you are sure bring up blasts from the past. =)Chuck and I are so proud of all of you “kids”. It is neat to hear that you are walking with the Lord. It is so hard to have you have to struggle with adult issues of life.
Still praying every day. Your gift of faith is such an encouragement for the body of Christ.
c and c
Love the story- thanks for sharing!
Perfect love story. Thanks for sharing it. It made my day.
O Darren. Love your stories. Maybe the picnic table one next? ;) Haha, Love you guys!!
Darren -
That is such a cute and wonderful story of how you met your wife! I do remember you playing sports with “reckless abandon”…I distinctly remember playing basketball in Scott’s backyard with you, Scott and Joy! Or always playing SOMETHING at recess when we were at Shrewsbury :-)
I hope that your daughter gets well soon, and I obviously will continue to pray that Misty is fully healed.
Take care.
Darren, That is a wonderful story, so sweet and innocent. Who would have thought it would have brought you here. God! He is giving you the honor of caring for one of His beloved. He made Misty your beloved knowing full well that you were indeed the one who would stand by her side through the storms in her life. Remember always that no matter how hard and heart wrenching things become, He is on the throne, He allowed Misty to have someone in her life that would truly love her and care for her and really understand those vows you took 5 years ago. You are both blessed. we are just passing through this life, all of us. Our home is not here, we are all called for a task in this life, our mission so to speak, I believe your darling Misty is the call you have on your life. Think of how blessed you are that God actually chose you for this precious woman’s life. I know that God will keep you both and He will move His mighty hand at the perfect time. He will keep you both, lean on Him and not on your own understanding, lay it at the alter each day and let Jesus carry you both when it gets hard to bare. We love you and are praying and crying out to The Father on your behalf.
Thank you so much Darren, you have blessed my soul more times than I can name. The Father is so pleased with how you represent Christ’s love for the body as you show your love for your wife. Lifting you guys up today as always and will wait “expectantly” to hear about God’s touch on Misty. I just really love you guys, you are in my heart.
You have a tendency to play LIFE with reckless abandon. :-)
Be praying for you all at the doctor’s today.
I love your stories too but I’m starting to miss those cute little stories of miss Olivia – hope and pray you are all healed and back together real soon! :)
I just love hearing a great love story. I trust all went well at the new doctors. Send my love to Misty you are all in my prayers each day remember , ” Everyday holds the possibility of a Miracle.” I live by that everyday. xo
Hi Darren,Misty and Olivia; It is so wonderful that God has brought you all togather as a very loving family. It is so beautiful how you have such a great love for your wife,and I am quite sure that you felt her unending love for you and the baby before she became ill. I am praying earnestly that our lord Jesus Christ will be giving Misty a healing very soon so that you all will be able to experience the unconditional love that you share with each other. God Blessings be with you all when you go to see the new Doctor.