52 years....How sweet it is!

1972.  It was the end of my freshman year at Humboldt State College in Arcata, CA.  What a year it had been. By the time I reached 20, I’d been a hippie, Vietnam war protester, eastern religions aficionado and finally, a born-again Christian. Even though I had invited Jesus Christ to be the Lord of my life, I had some rough edges. I persisted in rebellion against my parents. The last thing I wanted to do was go home for the summer.

I was hired by the company who ran the concession at Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California.  They placed me in a fast-food joint called “Chaos Counter,” where I flipped burgers and made milkshakes.  One of my regular customers was a tall, athletic fellow from Michigan State University, Tim Carpenter.  He stuck his head through the window begging for a chocolate malt. I slid the window shut on his neck.  What a great beginning!

Tim and I learned that we shared a common faith in Jesus Christ.  We met other Christians who worked at the park and planned fun outings together on our days off.  Tim was also working for A Christian Ministry in the National Parks.  He would teach Bible Studies and preach in the campgrounds. I liked to help him by bringing my guitar to lead worship.  Our friendship grew in the shade of the tall pine trees as we hiked and shared our stories. 

At the end of the summer, our hearts were full, but our bank accounts hadn’t accrued much.  After deducting expenses for room, board and taxes, we netted $1.35 an hour!

Looking back, it wasn’t the money that mattered, it was the deep friendships God blessed us with.  My relationship with Tim was special to me.  We began to write letters to each other, sharing our thoughts, life challenges and prayers.  By October, the Lord had spoken clearly to Tim that I was the woman of God that he should marry.  All he had to do now was to propose!

But he was in Michigan and I was in California.  He decided not to wait…he’d do it on the phone.  He dialed my number and pulled the receiver into his college suite bathroom and shut the door to block out his roommates.  When he connected with me, I was standing in the hallway of the Christian commune where I was living, holding a pay phone to my ear. 

Tim asked point blank, “Will you marry me?”  He says that the first word that came out of my mouth was “Gosh!”.  All I remember was hearing the audible voice of God in my head telling me to “Say Yes”.  So I said yes!  Tim and I had never been on a date together.  I had never kissed him.  But now we were engaged!   

I called my parents to tell them the big news.  They hit the ceiling!  They had a plethora of wise concerns and warnings.  Looking back, they were all legit.  But we were young, stubborn, headstrong and in love, and nothing could stop us. They gave us their blessing. We tied the knot on September 1, 1973 in a little Methodist Church in Michigan.

52 years have passed. I feel like Tim and I have grown up together, from age 20 to 72.  God has been so faithful to us!  We have 2 kids and 7 grandkids, such a wonderful family.  We’ve lived in Michigan, Kentucky, Florida and Indiana and we’re really looking forward to our forever home in the Kingdom of God.