SOMEONE SPECIAL PART TWO

 

      Let me begin this blog by saying how blessed Laure and I are when we read the Facebook posts. The encouragement and love we feel is overwhelming and we are blessed to have such amazing friends through the years and family. Thank you everyone.

     So.....let me continue the story and after this blog I will have a part three because there is so much to write, and I work full time as you know! So, after I brought Laure flowers and the mini-Chick Fil - A cow I could tell by her face she was shocked, and I wasn't sure if she knew my intentions. I asked her if she would like to go out for a cup of coffee the following night (I didn't know at the time she liked tea, not coffee) and she agreed. That would be when I would tell her I had a crush on her. I still was not feeling 100% so I didn't go to church on Sunday, the next day. Instead, I rested. I could not believe how nervous I felt wanting to tell someone how I felt about them. Now you all need to understand something. Although I grew up extremely shy and quiet, after bible college and getting involved in kid's ministry, the shy quiet guy needed to disappear in order to effectively minister to kids. I think I still shock my high school friends when they hear I actually got paid to speak! I have spoken in front of 1800 people at SGT, I spoke at many Christian School Chapels and taught Children's Ministry Workshops Nationwide at Conferences. I have lost count how many times I have done my ventriloquism. That entire Sunday I rehearsed in my head what I was going to say to her. My biggest fear was being rejected. I didn't want this to affect our relationship and friendship if she were to tell me "This is not a good idea" or "You are a friend to me. Nothing more." I even rehearsed in my head how I would react if she did reject me. I guess being rejected by my church caused me to have this fear. I didn't want to get hurt and I certainly did not want her to get hurt. I laugh about it now that I was rehearsing what I was going to say and that I was so gosh darn nervous. I remember watching a hockey game, but I could not even tell you who was playing! 

     Well, the time came for us to meet. I went to pick her up at her apartment. Her daughter was getting ready to go to her church for a Sunday night service, so I said "Hi" to her and off Laure and I went. We pulled up to the Diner, a different one and I was happy it was empty. I had it planned that I would tell her my feelings once our meals arrived. We had a booth over by the window. Perfect spot I thought. Just before the waitress brought our food, the hostess decided to sit a large group of people at a table near us. What??? I couldn't believe it! The Diner was empty! We had a great conversation and then it was time to leave. I thought maybe as we are driving, I'll tell her. But then I thought "How am I going to say this during a conversation?"  It would have been like "Hey, Laure? How was your tea? Oh, by the way I have a crush on you!" No, I didn't think that would work! Do you remember when you were a kid, and you watched cartoons. In some there was a little man on your shoulder talking to you. It's like the Great Kazoo on "The Flintstones." My little man was saying, "Come on, dummy. Say something!" We turned on her street and pulled up in front of her apartment. Laure looked at me and said, "Thank you for taking me out." I blurted out, "Listen before you go there is something I would like to talk to you about. I have to admit to you I'm a little nervous about what I'm going to say." Laure looked at me and said, "You can tell me anything. We're friends!" I said, okay, I'm just going to say it. I HAVE A CRUSH ON YOU," I braced myself for her reaction and her reaction was shock! But she did say she did feel the same way. I then told her how I couldn't stop thinking about her, how I was fearful about her reaction and them I briefly discussed with her how I felt If this was truly a "God thing" how we should take it very slow. And that is exactly what we have done!

     Laure and I have really enjoyed our times together. We both work a lot, but we look forward to spending time together when we can. We have gone to the beach to watch the sunset. We have traveled out to the east end of Long Island. We have been to baseball games and attended weddings. When I go out on outreaches as The Puppet Guy, she has been there with me when she can. She is an amazing support to me in my ministry. She was there when I was installed as an Associate Pastor at Lift Jesus Highter Fellowship in 2022. She came with me to PA to spend Thanksgiving with my family and my family absolutely loves her. I have gotten to know many of her friends, and I have gone with her when she has done haircuts as she is a hairdresser. She is also a Caregiver; a Senior Companion and I have met many of her clients. She has met my fellow Chick Fil-A Team members and my friends as well. Although we have taken this relationship at a "snail's pace", I will have to say we are very much in love and are praying about what is next for us. 

     In my next blog, I'm going to share what we have been through together in 2024. 

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK EVERYONE. THANKS FOR READING!!