[Pic from our 40th Anniversary bash our kids threw for us]
Forty-nine years ago today, Debbie and I were married. She has been my faithful wife, companion, lover, friend, ministry partner, the Sweet Mother of our children, and wonderful ‘Grandy’ to our now five-year-old granddaughter — my ‘Dove’ [Song of Solomon 2.14].
So I bought a card to give her. The cover simply says “Our Love Story,” and it reads inside:
“Once upon a time, on a day that looked like any other day, someone like no one else came along and made life into something that would never be the same. That’s you. That’s my life. That’s why you’ll always be the only one for me. Happy Anniversary”
I have often told the story of that day … ‘Once upon a time, on a day that looked like any other day, someone like no one else came along and made life into something that would never be the same’ – the first time ever I saw her face!
I was a young, up-and-coming, preacher in our fellowship of churches. I was still living in Winston Salem NC at that time–and in Bible College. Debbie’s father was pastor of a church here in Lexington KY. Their church hosted an annual Spring Missionary Bible Conference in early April of every year. It was one of the biggest annual events among our associating churches at that time.
He had called my Father and asked him to come and preach at the Missions Conference that April. Dad couldn’t fulfill the invitation, but he counter-responded: “Would you consider inviting my son to come in my place?” and he told him about me. Debbie’s Dad answered, “Well, it’s customary for us to invite pastors of churches who are supporting our missionary partners, and your son is not in that position – but, tell you what, we are also hosting a Youth Conference in February before the Spring Conference. I’d like to invite him to come and preach for us in that Conference instead.” For I was a youth, after all – only 22 years old – and a preacher.
So, he did invite me, and I did go. Made my first airplane flight also on that occasion from Smith Reynolds Airport in Winston Salem to Bluegrass Airport here. In a prop plane. That was exciting [still have a ‘Delta’ napkin they served with the in-flight snack I kept as a souvenir of my ‘maiden’ air-flight] — but I had no idea what more exciting encounter ‘future grace’ was just waiting to reveal…
I didn’t know Pastor and Mrs. Hamilton had a daughter! But, they did. Her name was Debbie, and she was a senior in high school. And also, little did I know that Debbie’s Mom was sick and had been laid up in the bed for a few days before my arrival – and that’s where she still was when her Dad brought me to their home where I would be staying.
Debbie was housekeeping for her Mom, and when we walked in the front door, Debbie came out of the laundry room and walked through the living room carrying an armload of clean towels she had just taken out of the dryer. Her Dad greeted her, and introduced us: “Debbie, this is Dave Parks. Dave, this is Debbie, our daughter!”
I think I may have blurted out something like, “Oh, hey, Debbie. Pleased to meet you” or some such thing. I just know that I was suddenly seized with an epiphany of ‘star-struck’-ness! I have always said: I don’t know if it was the proverbial ‘love at first sight,’ but I sure was impressed!
I’ve been a lover of English literature poetry since reading it during High School days [a passion I would soon discover Debbie shared with me], and I was familiar with some of the lines of William Wordsworth’s poem:
“She was a Phantom of delight / When first she gleamed upon my sight; /
A lovely Apparition, sent / To be a moment’s ornament…”
There are several more lines to this adoring tribute to that beautiful ‘perfect Woman’ who first caught Wordsworth’s eye and captured his heart. But it is with these first lines that I have always remembered that first sight of my Dove who would become my wife three years later.
So, Debbie, thank you for that ‘first gleaming on my sight’ and ‘gracing that first moment’s ornament’ … and for fulfilling all my prayers, hopes, and dreams for that ‘perfect Woman’ for the past 49 years!
~Dave Parks 