"Hey Becky, it's Drew Taylor from Willow Creek. Sorry we keep playing phone tag. I am here this evening though if you want to give me a call back, I'd love to give you some info about our small group!" -September 18, 2013 at 7:34pm
Little did I know this voicemail would be the first of many that I would receive from this masculine sounding Drew Taylor character!
Let's take a couple of steps back...
A week before this voicemail I woke up late, threw myself together to look somewhat decent, dragged my feet, and plopped myself down in the back pew of Willow Creek Church. I did not want to be there, but promised someone I would go. During the first song I decided to fill out the Connect Card, a way for the church to get info on guests. I didn't put my e-mail (ain't no body got time for spam e-mails from a church), I did write down my phone number because I was SURE no one would call me. Next came the sermon; also known as the-time-I-think-about-all-of-the-thing-I-need-to-do-but-can't-because-I'm-sitting-in-church. Pastor Kevin Labby preached a sermon on treasures in Heaven and I started to sweat. I felt like he was preaching to me and me only! How does he know my story?! Why is he speaking to me directly?! He doesn't even know me! Does everyone else know this is a message for me and me only?! How can I sneak out?!
And that's exactly what I did...snuck out the back as soon as the service was over.
Sept. 16, 2013: Phone rings, unknown number, hit ignore. That dreaded voicemail bubble pops up. It's this Drew guy from the church. Delete.
Sept. 17, 2013: Another voicemail from this Drew guy. Delete. I did debate whether or not I should call him back to be polite.
Sept. 18, 2013: Drew Taylor from Willow Creek calls AGAIN! I decided to call him back so I could politely decline any invitation he put out there.
Ring *please don't answer*
Ring *please don't answer*
Rin-- *crap!*
"Hello!"
Next thing I knew it 45 minutes had passed, I was giggling like a school girl, had committed to joining his small group, told him I would be in church on Sunday, and this so-called quick phone call with Drew ended.
The communication didn't stop as the days leading up to the first small group meeting passed. Drew and I were constantly texting and Facebook messaging. Thursday, the night of small group, came and I found myself preparing for a first date. A sort of blind date at that. I mean, I had never met this guy face to face, knew so much about him, was kind of liking how things were going, but had to play it cool.
I guess that's where you could enter the cliche phrase, "And the rest is history!" We dated for 9 months. During these nine months Drew showed me how to love well, how to love and accept myself, and most importantly how to live every day for our God and Savior!
Nine months later, August 13th, Drew proposed in the most unexpected way in the sanctuary at Willow Creek Church. It was just a Wednesday. I couldn't believe it. I wasn't wearing anything special, was wearing my glasses, and of course it was the one week I didn't have my nails done! It was the most beautiful and unexpected special day!
On April 18, 2015 I stood in the foyer of Willow Creek will butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't help but think to myself, "Eighteen months ago I plopped myself down in a pew in this sanctuary hoping no one would notice me. Just nine months after that my best friend asked me to marry him as we stood in the same sanctuary I tried to hide in. And here I am today, about to walk down the aisle of that sanctuary to find my teary blue-eyed, bright smiling, handsome prince charming waiting at the other end to marry me!"
Looking back, I can't help but giggle at the fact that I thought I was doing someone else a favor by going to visit Willow Creek on that September day.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6