Breathing Deeply: My Life With Cystic Fibrosis

Memories are the key not to the past,
but to the future.

--Corrie Ten Boom

New Year's Eve, 1999. The eve of the new millennium, and the beginning of the faintest stirrings of what has come to be my greatest happiness in life. Looking back on the events leading up to that wonderful evening, I can see clearly that God was at work making everything click together just as it needed to.

I was supposed to be in San Diego for Campus Crusade's Christmas Conference, but poor health put the kibash on that before finals week had even begun. By the time New Year's Eve rolled around, I was pretty much just sitting around feeling sorry for myself, thinking I had missed out on a great time of fellowship and an opportunity to meet some decent Christian guys at CCC's event.

I had only been home for a couple of days following a very lengthy stay in the hospital. It was one of my most frustrating hospitalizations--several different issues had cropped up and the doctors were having trouble figuring out which meds I could tolerate. In addition, I was struggling with a new diagnosis of "transient" diabetes and was learning how to give myself insulin injections, eat the right foods, etc. to keep my blood sugar in check. Needless to say, it wasn't quite the winter break I wanted after a grueling first quarter of college.

In the midst of my pity party, my phone rang and a friend from orchestra asked if I wanted to join him and his "band geek" friends for a party. After obtaining parental approval, I headed down the 15 freeway to a city I had only heard of because my church has a sister church there. I found the party and my friend, and did my best to blend into the crowd. Fortunately, this wasn't very difficult since I myself am a band geek and proud to be one! Jeremy introduced me to his friends, and one friend in particular piqued my interest.

The cute guy with the amazing blue eyes sitting across the room from me made me feel more comfortable than anyone else there. He told me about where he was going to school, we exchanged band geek jokes, and basically just sat and talked. For most of the night I was wedged between Brad and Jeremy on the little couch trying not to do or say anything stupid. I had never really been in a situation where guys were actually interested in talking to me. I hadn't dated much, (not that there wasn't anyone I'd had my eye on!) but for the first time I was able to be myself and not worry about trying to get someone to like me.

I can't remember ever having that much fun with a group of total strangers. The fact that there was no alcohol and nothing raunchy going on probably had a lot to do with that. It was a low-key, "good clean fun" environment, and just the right time and place for God to introduce me to the man who is now my husband. Brad I didn't have our first date until February 17th, (see photo) but in my mind, our relationship started on New Year's Eve, 1999. God has blessed us greatly in the time we've been together. I can't picture myself with anyone else. Brad is my Godsend and a tremendous blessing.

I sure am glad I had to miss that Campus Crusade Christmas Conference and got invited to a band geek party instead. :)