How we met

By very popular demand..... here is the story of how God brought Carey and I together in a most unusual way.

It was the year 1997, and I had just gotten an ISP account with AOL. On one faithful day as I am surfing the internet I stumble upon a bunch of profiles that I find highly amusing. I read through them as I find it very entertaining to see how much information people would write about themselves. Amazing really.

Jump back five years to 1992.

At this point in my life I had been in several long term relationships none of which had worked out. I had always been the type that knew that I wanted to settle down, find the love of my life, and share my world with that special someone. It had just never happened and looked as if it never would. I felt as though these relationships had failed because they were not based on faith nor part of God's will. So I had resolved to not seek out someone (which would have been my will not God's) but to rather just wait. If it didn't happen then I would feel confident that I had left it to Him and that this was what he had wanted for my life. This was very difficult as I really had a desire to have a relationship, and felt deep in my heart that it would happen, however had no idea of how since I wasn't making any attempt to date. I did however give this totally and completely to God and trusted that he would indeed work His will in my life.

Now back to 1997.

It had been 5 long years, and I mean LOOOONG years since I had even been as much as on a date. I was of course totally content that being single would be His will for my life.

So I had looked at those profiles and personals on AOL just as a great way to get a good laugh (thinking in the back of my mind I would never EVER speak to someone that was willing to put that kind of info on the computer about themselves) and pass some time. Then on the second evening I did this I came across a profile that I just couldn't click past to move on to the next. It was the profile of Carey Elizabeth Owens, and she seemed to want everything in life that I did. It didn't take long though before I turned the computer off and thought nothing of it.

Several nights later I again got on the computer and found myself stumbling onto a completely different site that had profiles. I clicked through search criteria of United States, Southern States, Texas, Houston, and then picked profiles with pictures. The first one I selected out of literally hundreds of thousands was Carey. My heart skipped a beat, I got a bit freaked out, and turned the computer off pretty quickly. What was this? Could it be coincidence? Was He trying to tell me something? I just didn't know. What I did know was that this really freaked me out.

I didn't get back on the computer for quite some time. I would say it was at least a 2 to 3 week period. I hadn't really thought much of it until the next time I turned on the computer, and even then it was only in the back of my mind. I went to another site that listed personals, and as I was about ready to click on the first personal I paused before I clicked, held my breath and.........

It wasn't her and I felt so relieved. So as I sat there now with it in my conscious mind, I realized that I had not prayed about it. So I talked to God and let him know that I indeed had turned this over to him. I also prayed at that moment (as I sat in front of my PC)that if there ever was something I needed to be aware of that he would send me a sign. I finished this prayer and said Amen.

The next thing I remember is getting this chill down my spine like I had never felt before in my life. I felt faint and very week in the knees. What was this that was coursing through my body? I had surfed over to another site this being the third different one, and just after saying my prayer I clicked on a different profile on a different site.............. and it was CAREY!!! Right after deeply praying about this and asking for a sign!

My shock and surprise quickly turned to a peace that I will never be able to understand, but the nervousness never went away. Therefore, it took me about a month along with much prayer before I developed the nerve to email her for the first time. Clicking send on that email was one of the hardest things I think I have ever had to do.

So the next day I get on the computer AOL says "You've Got Mail" literally. It was from Carey and that by far was easily one of the best days of my life. We communicated by email in the beginning, then by private chat, and eventually by phone.

In July of that year I drove the 5 hour drive that separated us. She did not live in Houston at the time, but was pulled up in the search engine because she went to Sam HOUSTON State University and Houston was in the search criteria. Funny how those search engines work. We visited for a few hours and then I made the trip back the same day. We had fallen in love long before we met in person. God had used the internet to bring me together with the love of my life. Ok.... I thought I could type this without getting emotional. I was wrong. At least its not paper or I would be starting over.

So in June of 2001 a year and a half after asking Carey's dad for her hand in marriage we were wed by my dad (he's a pastor) in front of God and many family and friends. We flew off to Hawaii to visit the islands of Oahu, Big Island, and Maui for our honeymoon. We were gone for almost three weeks and had the time of our lives.

Since then a day doesn't go by that I don't take time to thank God for his gift that is my wife. She is the love of my life and no words I type will ever compare to what she means to me and my kids. She is the love of my life, the mother of my kids, and the Hero of our family. She has given me the two most BEAUTIFUL children you will ever meet (just ask their grandparents), and 11 years later continues to be the light of my world. Her smile warms my heart and her laughter sooths my soul. I will continue to spend the rest of my life totally committed to making her happy.

I hope that this answers all the questions that we have received on how Carey and I met, and most importantly I hope that our story will inspire you to keep God first in your life so that you too can experience the range of emotions and blessings that his spirit will exude in your life. So many of us can remember how we felt when we were saved and accepted Him as our personal Lord and Savior. The tears that are shed in utter joy of our renewed birth is something that we will never forget. I haven't cried tears of joy like that since. I pray for all who read this and have not experienced the power of the holy spirit to talk to someone who has and learn more about salvation.

Off the subject a bit, but equally important to share...

I lost my last grandparent 2 years ago this April. She is missed so much. She had cancer and fought it among other ailments for quite sometime. On her death bed she was asked by my mother "aren't you excited about seeing daddy?" her reply was...........

"I want to see Jesus!" She was a woman of faith who has a special place in the Kingdom of Heaven.

God Bless and be with all my friends who read this.

Carey's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Yes it was Carey's birthday and again she turned 25. I would be in T-R-O-U-B-L-E if I told you how old she really is. Actually if you asked me, she isn't old at all but nobody is asking me.

Anyway, we celebrated by singing Happy Birthday to her first thing in the morning. We then took her to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. After this we had her blow out the candles on her cake as we again sang her Happy Birthday. It was a great day and what a fun way to extend the fun festivities of Christmas fun by celebrating her birthday (the day after Christmas 26th).

I love you so much Carey and hope that this day was very special!

Dearest Taylor

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you on this very special momentous occasion as you venture out on your own on your first day of school. We knew in the back of our minds that this day would eventually come, however we were caught of guard that it came so fast. So fast in deed that we never really had the time to reflect on what has been, so I would like to do that now.

You have always been the light of our world. Your smile brightens the darkest of days and warms the coldest of nights. The laughter and love you emit on a daily basis cannot ever be measured. You have the warmest heart, and it goes without saying that even as young as you are you have already touched the lives of so many most of whom you don't even know. We can be at a store, a restaurant, a shopping mall, church, the YMCA, or anywhere for that matter, and someone you come into contact with no matter what their circumstances, they always leave with a smile on their face and new hope that the world they live in is a better place because they encountered you. If I had a dollar for every smile I have seen you induce in a total stranger, I would be a very wealthy man. As it is, my riches are beyond measure. Since you entered our lives on Monday December 30th at 10:40pm in Tulsa, Oklahoma your Mother and I have never been the same. We knew we where in for an exciting time, however we could have never anticipated the love you would show us and the rest of the world. Our hearts are filled with so much joy and pride that we are at a loss for words when trying to explain how much we love you. Even though we tell you numerous times throughout each day, and every night before you go to bed it will never seem to be enough.

The last 5 years have not gone without challenges though. You have endured so much with your hand as well as your allergies you had when you were younger. Amazingly, even though it was you enduring the many therapy appointments, painful adjustments to your hand, just to name a few. It was you even at such a young age (1 1/2) that showed me and mommy that all was ok and you were going to be fine. Your courage truly knows no bounds, and at such a young age to show such grown up values is truly remarkable. As you have many surgeries ahead, we know now that you will always say "mommy, daddy, its ok". You have been so brave while facing such adversity, adversity that no child deserves to edure.

We have learned many lessons from you during these past five years, and look forward to the many ahead in our future. We are only reminded that during times like these there will come a day when we will no longer have you by our side. So on this day we can't help but feel a bit sad, as you take another step in life towards that of becoming a woman. We can see those changes every day, as today when you looked so grown up as you left us to go off to school.

So as you leave for school venturing out into the world never to return quite the same, it is our hope and prayer that you continue to blossom into the young lady you have long ago already started to become. We love you so much sweet princess. You will always be our baby girl.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy