Ring by Spring

From when I was young, I had a dream where I would be whisked away by Prince Charming. He would be tall, and muscular, rough around the edges, with a soft spot for me. I could depend on him for anything, and would never have to question his actions, motives, ideas...we would have a perfect life.

When I started a relationship with Christ when I was a freshman in high school, this mentality didn't change. Instead, it became wrapped in the theology I was attempting to understand. If I am x amount devoted to God, then God will provide me with a man (described above).

A few years later, I enter college, seeking the man of my dreams (ring by spring, am I right?). Surrounded by good friends, a strong Christian community, and a MRS degree on my mind, I went hard after an ideal relationship. That ideal had shifted a little from what I had said before and became this complimentarian view of what my role was to be. I didn't want just anyone. I wanted a man who was strong after God, who was so solid in his faith that he could lead me closer to God. Someone who knew more than me and would be a pastor so I could play the ideal pastors wife without ruffling the feathers of good Christians everywhere. I mean, that was my purpose in life as a woman, right?...

It's the end of my sophomore year of college and I was accepted back to be a camp counselor at a camp down in Texas and I had meet my co-counselors via facebook. There was one in particular who caught my eye. He was funny, hansom, and was eager to continue conversation, though we had not met in person, yet. For simplicity sake, we will call him my "boyfriend" for the summer, however, the whole thing was a mess created by yours truly.

For some reason in my mind, this amazing Christian man did not fit in my box of what it was to be a Christian boyfriend...future husband...whatever it was I was expecting him to be. Now, before anyone says anything, I agree that we should all be picky in who we allow to be romantically involved with, but there is a difference between picky and judgmental, and boy was I toeing, if not, over the line.

However, at the time, I had a list of requirements in my head (and maybe also down on paper) of exactly what I needed in a Christian man. 1. Love Jesus (duh) 2. Be taller than me (doesn't go along with the Christian angle, but I am a giantess, so its necessary), 3. Have a good sense of humor without being too crass, 4. Be good with kids (especially their campers), 5. Be good with my brother (Zach is pretty much right under Jesus in my priority list), 6. Be able to lead me spiritually, 7. Be able to initiate Bible and only talk about God, 8. Be sexually pure, 9. Be able to show me affection without going overboard, and knows when to stop, 10. Doesn't drink, 11. Doesn't do drugs, 12. Takes charge....the list goes on and unfortunately, that is only....maybe...10% of the actual list.

I the VERY rare chance he is reading this and has recognized he is the one I'm talking about,"Hey! I'm mortified."

You guys, I wish I were kidding, but this was everything I wanted and expected. I think if you got this far in the post you will understand why our "relationship" didn't work out.

The story wraps up on Thursday.

Cheers,

Sam Jo.