where it all began

It began in the spring of 1985.

Actually, let me back up. It began, specifically, at 12:30 a.m. on December 26, 1984—the first time Craig and I said “I love you” to one another.

I was a month over seventeen, a senior in high school, and Craig had just turned nineteen the week before, a college freshman home for Christmas break. We’d been dating since the previous summer and my years of wondering what it would feel like to be in love … Well, I didn’t have to wonder anymore. He was my everything.

Fast forward to the following spring, when he was at school in Iowa finishing up his first year and I was in Illinois finishing my last. He’d always call a couple of times each week after baseball practice, and I would run down the hall and make an airborne dive onto my bed to pick up.

More often than not, as I said hello, I would notice my digital clock read exactly 7:42 pm. That’s when 742iloveyou was born.

I started answering his calls with that phrase. After a while, we tried to call each other at exactly 7:42, and, even now, thirty some years of marriage later, when one of us has to be away, we still try to phone or text each other at that time, morning or night. We continue to have a playful, passionate marriage, and I’m filled to the brim with gratitude.

To me, 7:42 stands for many things: I love you, I’m thankful for you, I cherish you, hour by hour I’ll be there for you. Over the years, I’d check my watch and call out, “7:42 I love you!” to our kids as they ate breakfast or when we were all snuggled in, reading books before sleep. It’s our term for tenderness and commitment to this day.

Craig and I were kids ourselves when we fell in love and have grown-up together. He was there, several months into our dating relationship, when I lost my dad to brain cancer two weeks before my high school graduation. In the last years, we’ve grieved the loss of one of his beautiful sisters and both his mom and dad.

We are parents to three amazing human beings and have been blessed to gain two of the most incredible daughters-in-law. The five of them have made us into better versions of our younger selves—more selfless, compassionate, intentional, and giving. We’re thankful to God for all the ways they make our lives meaningful and richer.

In 2022, the Lord gave us the gift of two revered granddaughters, born three months apart, and in 2025, a precious grandson. Our love for them is profound and eternal. We feel, whole-heartedly, the truth of Proverbs 17:6. They’re our crowning glory!

I get lost in the process of composing and revising. My prayer is that when I do share my words, those reading them may be inspired to draw closer to Jesus and to view and treat their fellowman differently; with extra kindness, mercy, and respect.

This life won’t slow down, but I remind myself to stop often, breathe deeply, and look to God and His promises.

In Him, I find I’m His adored creation, loved and valued every minute of every day.

Do you know, beloved?

So are you.

Colossians 3:12-17 “Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love.  Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the words of Christ in all their richness live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.”