The 2nd Greatest Love Story

Boy meets girl and he does not acknowledge her.

"I just wanted to introduce myself. I know you are the new intern so we will probably be around each other a lot this year. It's nice to meet you"
He hears her say that but barely acknowledges. He just continues to do his laundry without paying much attention to her.

As the semester starts, and after their somewhat rocky introduction, they become friends, good friends. They hang out all the time and continue to grow closer and closer. Boy beings to fall for the girl...pretty early on in their friendship. However, girl is just interested in a friendship for the majority of the semester. Eventually, after a lot of hanging out and getting to know each other, girl starts to develop feelings. Boy and Girl spontaneously plan a trip to New York with 3 other friends, and that is where the story really begins.

New York was a great trip for this boy and girl. They learned how to travel with each other, handle each other in stressful situations, have fun with each other and they also had a chance to simply learn more about each other's likes and dislikes. This trip caused Boy to fall more in love with Girl. It also confirmed Girl's feelings for Boy.

After New York, this couple of friends had a DTR (Determine the relationship), where he finally confessed his feelings for her. She had a lot to work through. She was scared of a relationship, she didn't know what that really looked like, she was concerned with making the 'right choice,' whatever that meant. He was patient. He was confident that they were going to be ok...she was going to be his. This confidence helped him when Girl was confused or doubtful.

Finally, she admitted her feelings. She was ready to take the risk of a relationship. And they went on their first date. Dinner, ice-skating, overlooking Knoxville and a movie. When they kissed later that night, Girl thought to herself, "I am never going to have another first kiss again."

From that night on, TJ and Rachel knew they were going to be together. There is no one in this world that is better for me than TJ. He is my best friend. I look forward to seeing him and spending time with him. He makes me laugh. He loves the Lord with his entire being. No one has cared for me like he has. He has a heart of gold and a heart for people. He is selfless, caring, patient when I am not. He knows what to say when I need to hear it. He likes to have fun. He is not afraid to be himself. He is who he is and he likes it that way. My heart melts thinking about spending the rest of my life with him. He is the love of my life. Forever and ever.

...aaaannnnd it all started in a laundry room, where he did not acknowledge her.

Psalm 100

I'm watching the NCAA tournament, specifically the Ohio State game. Ohio State is up 43-33, if you are wondering. My mind and my heart is kinda half watching the game because my better half is in New York on a mission trip. At halftime, before ESPN cut to commercial, they showed the OSU cheerleaders, which is normal...ESPN always likes to show the cheerleaders. Well this one simple shot/moment on television made my brain start turning. 

That could have been me! 3 years ago I was thinking about going to Ohio State. Cheering at Ohio State. Or maybe going to Louisville and cheering there. Western Kentucky was even an option. Tennessee? Never. I never wanted to be there, at that awful school, with the terrible colors and their stupid fight song. Dad, being dad, thought it would be a good idea to apply for an in-state school...just in case...even though I was determined that I was NOT going to Tennessee.

But God had different plans. On a tour of The University of Tennessee, that I forcefully went on, I suddenly knew that I was going to be in Knoxville at least for the next 4 years. My dream was always to cheer in college, but after realizing that I was going to UT, I knew that it wouldn't matter if I cheered or not. If I made the Tennessee team, great. If not, (which is clearly what happened) then I knew God had other plans for me specifically at UT. I gave up my dream to cheer in college because I knew that Tennessee was where I was supposed to be, regardless of cheerleading. 

With all of that being said, I can not believe where I am after just 3 short years. God has been so faithful and I am so amazed. I have gained the greatest friends I could have ever imagined. They know my heart, my struggles, my dreams and they love my unconditionally. I have gotten the opportunity to work with the coolest high school girls around. They have taught me more than they will ever know. I met the love of my life. I have been praying for him and hoping to meet him for years, and I finally did! He brings so much joy to my life. He is my best friend and my partner in everything. 

I am so thankful for all the blessings that surround me everyday. I can't believe that it has been 3 years since I made the decision to come to UT. God is so faithful and his love endures forever. Be thankful for what you have and who you have today. Remember your blessings and don't let them be overshadowed by hurt or the past or circumstances. 

"Wherever you are, be all there..." 

Shout to the Lord, all the earth! 

Worship the Lord with gladness. 

Come before him, singing with joy

Acknowledge that the Lord is God! 

He made us, and we are his. 

We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;

go into his courts with praise. 

Give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the Lord is good. 

His unfailing love continues forever

and his faithfulness continues to each generation. 

Psalm 100