Let’s skip ahead a little bit onto college, shall we?
I was SO ready to get out of my hometown after graduation that I couldn’t get away fast enough. I went to York College, in York, Nebraska, which is a small Christian college. I LOVED my experience at YC and am so thankful for my time there.
And yes…it’s where I met this tall, good looking blond soccer player named Matt.
I suppose you might like to know how we ended up together? Yes, it’s a pretty good story. Would you believe me if I tell you that Matt and I started dating because he LOST a coin toss? Yes, it’s true.
He and I were in the same Bible class our freshman year which is where I first got to know him. At that time there were about seven or eight of us guys and girls that would get together and study for our Bible exams together….then we all just started hanging around together in general. Matt and I were a part of that gang.
Skip ahead to our sophomore year in college. (And, I’m sorry, but I have to take you into the guy’s dorm for this part of the story….hold your nose.)
One night in October Matt and several of the guys were hanging out (not studying) in one of the guy’s dorm rooms. The topic came up of, “who are you going to ask out this year?” At one point in the conversation, both Matt and another guy (I’ll call him Bob) said that they’d like to ask out Laura Hamm (yes, if you didn’t already know my funny maiden name…there you go).
Well, since both Matt and Bob were nice guys…they felt bad since both of them were interested in the same girl….and they didn’t want to step on each other’s toes. So, they made an agreement. They’d flip a coin. (I know this sounds so mature doesn’t it?) Whoever won the coin toss could ask me out first. If I said yes…the other would back off, wish them well, and get on with life. If I said no…the other was free to ask me out.
So, the coin was flipped…and Bob won. Matt lost.
Now all this time, I’m sure I was in the girl’s dorm doing something much more productive like studying or sleeping, innocent of the fact that two guys were tossing a coin over me. (I found out all the details later.) :)
So, the next day, Bob asked me out. Hm. Bob was really, really nice. But I didn’t really think going out with him would be a very good idea because he quiet and shy…and well..I just didn’t want to. I gave him the “friends speech”. Blech. You’ve gotta love the dating game.
Well, since I told Bob no…that meant that Matt could go for it. And so he did. And I said yes.
I remember so clearly that night. I ran up to my friend Mary’s dorm room to tell her that Matt had asked me out and that we were going to the play over the weekend. I couldn’t put my finger on it…but I remember thinking how differently I felt about this upcoming date than I’d felt about any previous ones with other guys. Without any reservations, I was so excited about this date.
Matt and I have laughed a lot (and so have all of our friends, including Bob) about the coin toss. It was funny to me after I found out what happened in the dorm that night. Hey, in a weird kind of way, I was honored.
But here’s what else happened in the dorm room that night that Matt’s best man told me on the night of our wedding rehearsal.
Matt sat for a long time pondering if he should ask me out or not. He told the guys, “I’ve gotta decide if I’m ready to ask out someone like Laura. She’s not the kind of girl I’d want to ever break up with.”
Wow.
Arlene says
Awwww, what a sweet story! :o)
Shannon Fowler says
How sweet!! :)
Roberta Anne says
Oh, my heart. What a lovely story. I think Matt was a wonderful choice. I love to look at the two of you, you make such a nice couple.
Roberta Anne
Amy says
That is so sweet! What a wonderful story to be able to share with your kids, too.
Caroline Martin says
Aww-such a sweet story! My Mom told me about your website several months ago and I love your blog. I love you, too. I love “Learning about Laura”. (This is your cousin, Caroline (O’Dell) Martin, if you weren’t sure of my newly married name) Kisses to all of your family. Hope to see you at the next reunion, if not earlier!
Marie says
Oh what a sweet, sweet story!!
Debbie says
That is so sweet!
Andrea in Alaska says
Cute story! My playful, boyish grandfather asked my prim, quiet grandmother out on a dare. I’m so glad he did! And, under her reserve, Grandma has a great sense of humor too!
Tara says
I haven’t visited here in a couple of months. I loved your story and it made me think of a couple that we met at church several years back that went to York and both played soccer. He was in the Navy and came down to Florida for EOD training.
They were a few years younger than us, but had a daughter the same age (and name) as ours. They were such a sweet family.
I also went to school with the President’s children when they were in Alabama. Small world, isn’t it?
Patti says
I’m loving LEARNING ABOUT LAURA. This great story just planted a seed of thought…you could do an e-book of sweet romantic ways that couples got together. I shared mine and Steve’s story on my Nov. 7 post (the anniversary of our first date) …same town…same college…same dorm… Now, you have two stories to start your book!
Tanya says
What a beautiful story! What awesome things are done with God at the center:)
Laura says
I remember how your mom used to tell the story about how when you left for YC, she told you to not fall in love with (or maybe it was marry? I forget now) a guy from CA…
Marie says
What a sweet story! Thank you for sharing. I just stumbled across your blog and am enjoying it a lot!
Marisa says
Hello, Laura! I just discovered your web site today, but have been engrossed in it for several hours off and on, browsing all over– everything from “make-your-own vanilla” to “storing 500 pounds of wheat in bakery frosting buckets”! I am working toward providing my family with whole, healthy foods. We currently eat very little processed food, other than store-bought “whole wheat” bread without HFCS and some canned vegetables. We eat lots of fruits, veggies, rice, and beans. I bake from scratch, but still have far to go! (I still use granulated sugar, oh no!)
Anyway… just wanted to say Matt’s last line made me tear up a little. Thanks for sharing your story, and for writing so winsomely about many topics! I have subscribed to the RSS feed and will be doing my best to learn how to cook even better and healthier! I’m a huge fan of buying in bulk!
(By the way, I can totally relate to the “I have sleeves” comment!!! It happens to many of us…)