Milestone 1: Coming Right Up!

On Monday, eSuitor and I spent the entire day together. It started in the morning with our final premarital counseling appointment. Several months ago, we took a test called "PREPARE", which helps a couple determine areas of their relationship that are strong and which areas need some growth. It charts trends in our families of origin and in our relationship together. And it assesses the overall health of the relationship. The counselor/minister who meets with the couple must be specially trained to interpret the test results. Our meetings with our minister were very fruitful in terms of helping to discuss our areas of strength, and it was a safe environment to talk about our areas in which we need to grow. Overall, our minister told us that he feels really good about our decision to get married and said that he sees "green lights on all sides". After praying for us, he told us that he can see the fingerprints of God on our relationship, and that was a lovely affirmation of our decision to marry.

After leaving our counseling session, I got to attend eSuitor's very last seminary class with him! It was a marriage and family class, so the subject matter was very interesting and time-appropriate!

After class, we cooked dinner together at his place. Here's my man where he always looks very much in his element! I feel so blessed to be marrying a chef!

He made us this delicious asparagus which he cooked inside of an olive oil dampened paper bag in the oven. It was infused with a subtle lemon flavor from cooking it with the citrus fruit.

We decided to eat off of these pretty plates we received as an early wedding gift!

eSuitor is about to pass three major milestones, all in about five weeks time: graduation from seminary (which happens tomorrow), turning 40 in early June, and getting married in late June! As part of his graduation from seminary, he was given this silver ring. It is inscribed with the words of Jesus, "Abide in me"--a daily reminder to live in intimacy with Jesus.

I am very proud of eSuitor for realizing his long-time dream of graduating from seminary. God bless you, Baby! May He use you to touch others with His great love. To God be the glory, great things He has done!