by Phyllis Hill

Created on: August 12, 2010

I am not exactly sure why my husband and I were drawn to one another.  He is 9 years younger than me and he is a very handsome and capable man.  When we met, I don't think that either of us expected for our friendship to evolve into a marrital relationship.  However, that is exactly what happened.  Not only was the age difference a factor, but my husband had, also, just recently divorced from his wife of 8 years.  He was not looking for a long-term commitment, and, I, after having raised my children for the last 8 years on my own, was not looking for a younger man with young children.  I had just started dating again and assumed that I would meet an older, financially stable man, with whom I would finish raising my youngest daughters and, perhaps, travel, and live comfortably.

So, when our relationship began to develop and solidify into something more than just friends, I was caught "off-guard."  I know that he was, too.  We met through a mutual friend and began "hanging" out and going out - dancing, watching movies, playing pool at the local ice house, etc.  What developed was an undeniable connection.  He and I seemed to appreciate and respect each other in a way that was different from what either of us had experienced in any prior romantic relationships.  We had fun together, respected each other, felt at ease with one another, and laughed, a lot!

The truth is - and we still believe this, today - that we don't believe this was our plan as much as it was God's plan!  Neither of us are what one might refer to as a "holy roller," but we definitely feel like there was a higher power in charge of our love.  We were happy together and remain so, today, but we still believe that we succumbed to something much more powerful than ourselves.

There are many other details that I could share and which allowed us to cultivate our inevitable marital commitment, but the most important acknowledgement is independent decisions to go along with this wonderful gift that God provided.  We are not perfect and we continue to grow, but we are forever commited. I guess my point is that age, race, etc.  need not be the determining factor.  I think that it is important to open our hearts to what God has in store for us, even when it does not seem to make any sense!

Learn more about this author, Phyllis Hill.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.