When I knew...

Last weekend I went to Dallas to celebrate that TE had proposed to my college roommate of 3 years, and one of my most favorite people in the world, Miss KJ. On the way up to Dallas I was in constant contact with our friend SM, and we were SO excited that we couldn't contain ourselves...and between those conversations I had some time to reflect on these two - on our friendship over the years and on the moment I knew that they would one day be husband and wife. Here is my side of the story....

I had received a phone call from KJ saying that she and TE were going to come down to Houston over Memorial Day weekend (this was 2005 - just to give you a sense of timing). I was SO excited - as it seems that no one EVER comes to Houston.

(admit it people - you never come to see me. *sigh* But I learned long ago that prying you away from D-town was too hard, and I was just going to have to learn to love I-45 / 75. And I do - and every trip I get to make to see your beautiful smiling faces. But I digress....)

After the wedding, they came back to my house, and I remember Travis helping KJ get into the house as it was raining (surprise, surprise - it is Houston, remember) and he didn't want her to get soaked. They came in and he ran back out to move the car and bring all of their stuff in. Now, Trav is a gentleman to begin with, but it was REALLY sweet the way he was treating KJ - even more sweet than normal. I sat on the couch and they were filling me in on all of the details from the wedding. As they were telling the stories, I noticed Kirsten hanging up Travis's coat with care, making sure it wasn't wrinkled. Travis came in and helped KJ with the back of her dress so that she could go change. KJ came back in and helped Travis hang up all of his clothes and make sure he had everything organized.

As I was sitting there watching, I felt like a little kid, watching their mom and dad after coming home from a night out, sitting anxiously listening to their stories, as they lovingly go about their evening routine. You could see how much they cared for each other in the way that they looked at each other, in the way that they interacted with each other, and the way that they graciously helped each other, most of the time without even asking, as if all they had to do was look at each other and they immediately knew what to do next.

As I sat there - I knew. I knew that they truly loved each other, but each was too afraid to express those feelings to each other. I knew that one day, the two would be one and I would forever call KJ "Mrs. Endsley".

That night as we laid in bed, I started asking questions....and we talked about TE till the early morning - as he was in the other room sleeping soundly. I could tell by her answers that she REALLY cared for him, and knew that she wanted to date him. We continued the conversation in the morning and I knew that drastic measures had to be taken....TE needed a Lippe "pull it together and just ask her out conversation".

I finally got my chance to talk to TE and told him what I saw and what I knew deep in my heart - that he had real feelings for KJ - and not the same feelings that he had for all of the "other" girls in our group. That he loved her. He agreed in not so many words and I seem to remember a conversation happening between the two of them sometime shortly thereafter and they were a "couple".

Over the years, obviously there were some ups and downs and some time spent apart - but as I kept telling KJ through all of it that I knew that they were meant to be together - I knew it deep in my heart. God had a plan for the two of them and it was going to take a while for both of them to be ready for them be able to spend the rest of their lives together. And God did just that - he taught each of them things about themselves and each other - and he brought them back together on HIS own timing - not theirs.

I remember the day Trav told me he was going to marry KJ. He called me at work, and dropped the bomb that he was going to ask her to marry him. I cried....like a little baby...at work - I was so excited, and proud of Trav that he was ready to take that next step. And more excited for KJ than anything, as I knew she wanted this day to happen for a very long time.

So, I drove up to Dallas with a car full of food and my entire kitchen and met up with one of Trav's roommates (who I adore because he unloaded my ENTIRE car....which, if you know how much stuff is in my kitchen, you can imagine my Tahoe filled to the top with stuff) and helped Trav's mom and sister get everything ready for the party. The guests starting arriving early (I think they were so stinking excited too!!!) and we were just awaiting the moment to hear that they were on their way.

When KJ and Trav arrived, you could just see the love and excitement flowing through them and throughout the entire crowd. By the time I saw KJ and gave her a big hug - I don't think that you could have wiped that smile off her face, and I just didn't want to quit hugging her - I was just so stinking excited for her and Trav! And I was so glad to have been able to spend that amazing time with them - to celebrate such a great occasion.

And now the wedding planning begins...

Here are some pictures from that weekend:

Here is Kirsten's Brother Jeff, Sister in Law Laura and all of their FABULOUS kiddos. Laura and Jeff are such an amazing couple. They are such an amazing role model for everyone - in the way they care and respect for everyone, in the way that they raise their children and in the way that they love each other and have a fantastic marriage. And I hadn't seen them since, well, Josh was around 2 - and you can tell with 3 more sisters, that was a long time ago! It was so great to get to catch up with them.

Here is KJ and TE with TE's younglife boys. They were so stinking cute. They were there to help out and were so much fun to hang out with.

The boys and their girls...all I have to say is it took 5 pictures to actually get this one as they were trying to hit each other and be funny. Oh, boys. What will we do with you....

At the end of the night, the three of us, and his roommate sat on the couch laughing and catching up. It was SO great to get to spend some time with them, drinking champagne, celebrating this amazing day, and laughing like always.

KJ and Trav - I want you to know how excited I am for you - and how much I have prayed for this day to come. I know that God has such amazing things planned for the two of you, and I look forward to see you start this new life toghether. I have been so blessed to be your friend and to be apart of this journey so far....I look forward to what is to come! Know that I love you more than you know....

It was memorial day weekend