The Bougainvillea and the Rare Flower
In the summer of 2014, I decided to redesign the landscape in my parent’s backyard. My dad had cared for the yard for years, but now approaching his mid 80s, he didn’t feel he could continue to take care of it. He talked to me about removing all of the grass so he wouldn’t have to mow it any longer.
I stumbled upon an offer from the San Antonio city water board that would pay a homeowner to reduce the amount of water needed for a landscape. To claim the offer a homeowner had to replace grass with mulch, rocks, and drought resistant plants. I came up with a plan that we submitted and had approved. We then set forth to redo the yard.
In the process of planning for the makeover, my sister wanted to contribute to the project. I decided to use her contribution to purchase a large container that would be a centerpiece of one planting area. I found a container and an unusual white bougainvillea with pink tips.
The bougainvillea was really pretty but I was concerned how well it would do since it was an uncommon variety. It turned out to be a wonderful choice as it bloomed constantly and survived the winters despite staying outside.
However in the spring of 2017, it didn’t come back. We waited for some time to see if it would emerge, but it had apparently succumbed to one of the freezes that we had that winter.
That spring, my mother had fallen, had lost her appetite and required much care. I committed to be one of her caregivers and started coming to their house every day to fill a shift.
During that time, I would occasionally go outside and attend to the yard, pond and garden. I kept checking the bougainvillea for any signs of life until enough time had passed that I was certain that it was not coming back. I decided to replace the plant when there was an opportunity but with my mother getting sicker, it wasn’t a priority. My mother died on April 8 and her funeral was on April 21.
After the funeral, we set out to help my dad settle into his new life without my mom. They had been married for over 64 years.
With my mother’s birthday coming soon after the funeral, I decided to replace the bougainvillea in her memory by her birthday. She loved certain garden flowers and particularly loved bougainvilleas. I thought it would serve as a nice memory about her for my dad.
About a week before her birthday, I started to look for a replacement. I decided to start at Lowes since it was the spring season when they have a larger plant selection. There was a store near my parent's home so Woody and I dropped in after visiting with my dad. I found some nice specimens although none with the white and pink flowers. I reasoned that as long as it was a beautiful color, it would be fine. I selected one and was standing in the purchase line when Woody came to me from looking at other plants. She said that it was beautiful and asked what I thought. I told her that I liked it but wished I could find one that was the same as the one that had died since it was such a great variety for that location.
Woody told me that we should look around and see if I could find one that I would be more happy with. She then took the plant from me and put it back in the display aisle. Woody saying and doing that was out of her character but I didn't really question it or think too much about it at the time. We then went to Home Depot and another Lowes and almost bought bougainvilleas. But Woody continued to encourage me to buy one that I would be happy with so we decided to keep looking.
On Sunday, three days before my mom’s birthday, we drove over to Rainbow Gardens to try and find the ‘right’ bougainvillea. Rainbow Gardens is a very large local nursery and I was convinced that they would have one. This is where I had purchased the original plant and they always have a huge inventory of bougainvilleas. Even if they didn’t have the exact color, I thought I would find one that I would really like as a replacement.
Surprisingly, their inventory was smaller this spring, and after spending a long time there, we left with some other plants, but no bougainvillea. Woody suggested we swing by Milberger's, another large nursery. Milberger's is right off of the highway on the way home from Rainbow Gardens but we arrived a couple minutes after they had closed for the day.
On Tuesday, I decided to try Milberger's again after work before heading home. Milberger's had a very large selection but I found that most of their inventory was the common pink variety.
In another area of the store, I came across a very large bougainvillea with the white and pink flowers that they had set up to showcase some of their plants. It was the variety that I had been looking for and served to remind me of what the old plant looked like since I hadn’t seen it in bloom since the previous fall. However it was too large for my dad’s container.
I asked a sales associate if they had bougainvilleas other than the one area that I had been looking at and she said there were a few more at the front of the store. It was the first time I met Jaime.
She also told me that all of the bougainvilleas in the 3 gallon containers, although unmarked, were on sale. The price wasn't really a concern but it too served as a catalyst to what would happen later.
After searching for a while, I went to the register with a bougainvillea that included a small trellis and one that had variegated leaves. Both were in 3 gallon containers. Although neither plant was the white and pink variety, I decided to go ahead and purchase one since it was the day prior to my mother’s birthday.
When I went to pay, I asked Jaime if the one with the trellis was on sale.
“I don’t think they are, but I’m not sure,” she said as she looked at the container and the marked price.
“Hmm, that’s interesting,” I replied. “They are in the exact same size container and are marked the same price as the others.”
Jaime replied, “Well, I don’t think they are included in the sale, but if you fuss, I can give you the sale price”.
I wasn’t quite sure if I heard what she said, so she repeated it, this time much more playfully.
“Ohh”, I replied, “Well then I can’t believe that this plant with the trellis isn’t on sale.”
With her uncertainty and my ‘fuss’, Jaime offered me the sale price. Jaime later told me that she had to work the Saturday before my visit - the only time she worked a Saturday while she worked for Milberger's. Saturdays were the day the manager would meet with the sales associates. During the meeting the manager instructed the sales associates to go ahead and offer a sale price to the customers if they ‘fuss’.
Earlier I noticed that Jaime was very beautiful. But now, as she spoke to me, I had two immediate thoughts: this young lady is child of God, and I need to introduce her to my son Michael.
Shaking off this impression, I left the nursery and drove home with the bougainvillea. However, I decided to plant it another day at my dad's house since we had workers at our house replacing one of our air conditioners. Woody's only question upon seeing the plant and hearing it was on sale was that I should have purchased one for us as well.
That evening, I couldn't shake my earlier impression about Jaime and Michael. I had been praying for Michael and, in particular, praying that he would meet and marry a woman who really knew and loved the Lord. But at this point, I hadn't connected my encounter with Jaime to my prayer. I was just perplexed as to why I was thinking such things. I began wrestling with the idea that I needed to go back and speak with this young lady.
Are you kidding? What would I say? “Excuse me, I need you to meet and go out with my son!?”
Waking up early the next morning, I had the same thought - I needed to go and speak to this young lady about meeting Michael. I could go back and purchase another bougainvillea since Woody wanted one but what could I possibly say? This can't be from God, could it? I was already feeling a bit guilty about thinking that Jaime was beautiful. Why was I continually having these crazy thoughts about her and Michael?
That day I thought about it more but tried to set it aside. This would have been my mother's 87th birthday and I had plans to meet Woody and my dad at the cemetery and then go with them to lunch. The visit and lunch took longer than I had planned so I decided to wait another day before going over to my dad's to plant the bougainvillea.
That evening, there was more wrestling with the idea of speaking with Jaime. Is this really Him and could I really do this?
The next morning, the thought was even stronger and I thought about it all day. I went over in my mind some things that I could say and then I would stop myself and question why I kept thinking about this. After all, I didn't need to go to the nursery since I already had a plant. All day I had a difficult time focusing and the thought came to me again and again. I started to believe that this must be the Lord's leading.
I decided to go back to Milberger's and speak with Jaime, but only if a set of conditions were met so that I could be certain that this was the Spirit and not my flesh. These were the conditions:
- I would first go to Rainbow Gardens. If they had that specific variety of bougainvillea , I would purchase it and know that this wasn't God's leading.
- If they didn't have it, I would go to Milberger's. If Milberger's didn't have that particular variety, I would know that this was my flesh and would leave and plant the one that I already had.
- If they did have that variety but Jaime wasn't there, that too would mean that this wasn’t God’s leading and I wouldn't make any other attempt to speak or think about this any more.
- Finally, if they did have that variety and Jaime was there and would agree to talk to me about this, she would need to be a true believer in Christ, not married, engaged or seeing someone, and around the same age as Michael.
I reasoned that this was a very high bar to attain - ok - impossible. How can any of this happen with just the plant alone? The plan truly felt impossible.
I left work wanting to say something to Michael but I had no idea what I would say to him. I stopped at Rainbow Gardens.
Rainbow Gardens traditionally had a very large inventory and was the location where I purchased the original bougainvillea. They had four weekdays to restock and the most likely nursery to have one. Surprisingly there were no new bougainvilleas. I decided to be thorough so I looked all around the nursery but didn't find many others and none that even closely resembled that variety. Ok, next stop, Milberger's.
I drove up to Milberger's and parked where I could see the large area that held their bougainvilleas less than two days prior. Since I had just been there, the likelihood that they would have received a shipment, and one of that particular variety, seemed extremely unlikely. I got out of the car and looked more closely. Even the number of plants appeared to be the same as before. No real surprise as they had a full display just two days ago with none in full bloom.
I then went to the front of the store where they had the smaller selection of bougainvilleas. As I walked, I was beginning to think that this was an exercise in futility. I might as well head over to my dad’s and plant the one I bought on Tuesday.
As I approached the store front, there were new plants present and, unbelievably, there it was - a bougainvillea with the unique, white and pink tipped flower in full bloom! Could it really be? My heart started to beat harder. Unbelievable!
In amazement, I quickly selected one and walked around to the outside register - the register where I purchased the first bougainvillea from Jaime. Could she possibly be there?
“No - who am I kidding,” I thought. With Milberger's being open seven days a week and not having any clue about her work status, would she even be scheduled to work on a Thursday afternoon? Would I be able to recognize her? And even if she was there, how could any of my very specific personal criteria be true of a young lady working in a nursery that I had never met before?
There was a young lady in the kiosk but I was pretty sure this wasn't her. I had only interacted with Jaime for a short time but remembered that she was beautiful. The sales associate was attractive but when I spoke to her, I knew this wasn't her. When Jaime spoke to me, I sensed the presence of God within her. I guess she isn't working today, I thought.
I purchased the bougainvillea and walked to the car. I placed it inside the back and stood on the side of the car feeling somewhat deflated. I started to think that perhaps this was all just my flesh. Should I just leave and drive over to my dad's to plant the bougainvillea?
After pausing for a few moments, I decided that finding this variety after all that had happened leading to this moment was an unlikely series of events. Considering everything regarding finding the bougainvillea perfectly matched my prayerful conditions, I decided that I should at least see if she was working.
I walked back from the parking lot to the store and walked over to the main register. Since Jaime handled money when I purchased the first plant, I reasoned that the main register was the most likely place to find her if she was working.
As I walked into the main building, I saw a young lady leave the register and head into the office.
"That's her," I thought in disbelief. But I wasn't completely sure since I just caught a glimpse of her. I wasn't going to follow her into the office so I decided I could walk around and then see when she comes back out if it is really was her. If that really is her, what am I going to say? I don't need to prepare, I thought. I need to pray.
I walked to the very back of the nursery pondering this moment. Am I crazy? Yes, I'm crazy for Christ! Am I going to say something to her? Walking back to the front of the store, the young lady that I saw earlier had come out of the office. As I walked into the main register area, I could see that it was Jaime.
Unbelievable, I thought. This is really crazy. I have to talk with her now. But as I got closer, a customer came forward and asked a question. Jaime walked with him into another room leaving me wondering what I was going to do. As she continued to talk with the customer, I decided to take another walk.
After walking around and seeing she was still talking to the customer, I headed back to the parking lot thinking I was indeed crazy. I'm really looking like a stalker, I thought. It's not working out so maybe I can try another time.
As I reached the parking lot I felt the Lord stop me and give me this impression - If I leave now, I'm never going to have this opportunity again.
I prayed for very specific things and now that they have all occurred, am I going to leave?
I walked back from the parking lot and into the main building. Jaime was finishing with the customer at the register and there were no other customers waiting. Now was the moment. As I stood there, another employee asked if I needed help. I said, ‘no’, and then went about browsing around as I waited for her to complete the transaction.
After she finished, I approached the counter and asked if she could come to the front to discuss bougainvilleas. Jaime later told me that this was another thing that was amazing about our encounter - they had been very busy all afternoon and that was the only moment when they weren’t busy. Had they been busier, she would not have been able to come out front with me to talk.
Jaime grabbed an order pad and we headed to the front of the store. This was the moment - here goes!
I began by telling her about my purchase two days before. I was hoping she would remember our banter about complaining to obtain the sale price. She remembered!
I started by talking about how I really wanted to purchase this other variety but that they didn't have it on Tuesday.
She asked if I wanted an exchange for the sale price.
“No,” I replied, “I just purchased the correct one and put it in my car”.
I stopped and then asked her if I could ask a personal question. Agreeing, I asked, “Are you a true believer of Jesus Christ?”
“Yes, I am,” Jaime replied in a manner that again made me believe she carried the presence of God.
“Oh”, I replied excitedly. “Oh, good! What I'm going to talk to you about will make much more sense now.” I then told her about how I sensed that she was a believer on Tuesday.
She replied that she felt that there was a spiritual connection with me too.
“This is amazing”, I thought - there is no stopping now. “I need to talk with you out of obedience to what I believe God is asking me to do,” I continued.
“Oh, wow,” Jaime replied, “I'm hoping to learn to walk in obedience to Him too.”
I was very excited now. Seeing her and hearing her talk, I was now certain that she was a genuine child of God.
A coworker had walked up - one who was there when I purchased the first plant - so I gently asked if he would give us a few minutes to speak privately. He graciously agreed and went back into the main register area.
I then told her about the bougainvillea, my mom’s death, birthday, and a quick summary of all that had happened to get me to the place to speak with her. She appeared fully engaged and seemed genuinely intrigued with everything I told her. I decided it was time to talk about Michael.
“Can I ask if you are married or have a boyfriend?” thinking that surely one of those must be true.
“No,” she replied to my continued amazement. “I'm not sure how I feel about dating,” she continued.
I then told her how she was going to think this was strange but, “My son, Michael, came to mind when you were bantering with me about getting the plant on sale. I know this sounds strange, and please believe me that it is indeed strange to me, but I believe I was supposed to come here to ask if you would consider meeting him.”
A bit perplexed and now wondering if I was one of those fathers looking for someone for his son, Jaime thought to say some things to discourage me. “Well, I’m likely much older than you think,” she started. “I'm 23”, she said.
“Really?! My son is 23 also!”, I replied in amazement as I could hardly believe that she confirmed the final condition that I had predetermined to know that this was from the Lord.
A bit surprised, she then paused and told me that she wasn’t looking to get involved in a relationship as she was going to be leaving this job shortly to start an internship before starting graduate school up in north Texas.
“I know this whole thing is really crazy,” I countered. “All I can tell you is what I saw and that I had never thought or planned to ever do any of this. I have six grown children including two daughters, four of whom are married. And Michael has never had difficulty in finding someone interested in him. I’m just doing this out of obedience. I haven't said a word about this to Michael. He would probably kill me if he heard that I was doing this. I just knew I had to talk to you. I'm not planning to say anything to him unless you decide that it's ok to meet him. I'd like you to pray about this. I'll leave you with my number and you can text or call and say you agree to meet with him or not. If I don't hear from you, I'll know that the answer is 'no'”.
I gave her my name and number and then told her that it was a pleasure talking with her and that if I never saw her again that I hoped that she would trust and walk closely with the Lord and that He was worth it. “I didn't even get your name,” I said.
”Jaime,” she replied.
I then told her that I was almost 60 years old and that I've known the Lord since I was a teenager and He has never disappointed me. I shook her hand and I asked her again to please pray about what I was asking her which she agreed to do.
As I walked back to my car I could hardly contain myself. I was thrilled - the ‘impossible’ had just occurred! Amazing! Unbelievable!
There is nothing like walking in obedience to God and seeing His power and plan unfold before you. I could hardly believe what had just happened.
I began to ponder all that had to happen in order for this moment to happen. It was miraculous! My dad wanting to redo his back yard, my sister wanting to participate, me deciding to make a special container area to highlight her contribution, me picking out an unusual variety of bougainvillea, the plant thriving in that area, my mom's birthday, my mom dying, the bougainvillea dying, it being an unusual variety, me not purchasing a replacement from any of the other stores, the original nursery not having this variety twice after having it in the past, Milberger's having this variety after not having it less than two days prior, Jaime working those two days, being a believer, not married or having a boyfriend, being the exact same age as Michael, and willing to listen to this crazy old guy.
Did this really just happen? And then to hear her heart about following God, having graduated from college and wanting to pursue more, coming from a great family, and her playful, yet gracious interaction, demeanor and countenance while we were talking. These were all things that Michael has shared with me that he desired in a young woman. You can't even write a movie script like this! This was unbelievable!
Of course, nothing had really happened in regard to her agreeing to meet Michael or Michael agreeing to meet her, or the two of them even liking one another. I needed to tell someone but there was no one to tell at the moment. Woody was away visiting her family so I decided I'd wait until she came home. I couldn't do this justice over the phone.
I went over to my dad’s house and planted the white and pink bougainvillea in the container. It was beautiful. I wasn’t ready to tell my dad about this crazy story. After spending some time with him, I headed home.
Arriving at home, I spoke with my youngest son, saying, “Your dad just did the craziest thing he's ever done. I wish I could tell you more but I can't say anything now. I just needed to at least say that or I was going to bust a seam or something!”
The next days were thrilling and agonizing. Having come from the opportunity to share and watch my mother embrace the gospel, to her death and funeral, and then to experience this moment was beyond amazing. But now I had to wait.
Would Jaime call or text me? I had no idea. I kept my phone nearby and started answering calls from unrecognized numbers. I wouldn't fault her if she didn't respond. What would I do, or better yet, tell my daughter to do? Some complete stranger talking about God and telling a very strange story about a plant? And he wants you to meet his son? So I waited and prayed. Prayed for courage for her and trust for me.
During this time of waiting, I wanted to tell Michael about what happened. But what would I tell him? And what good would it do? “Oh, by the way, I was out buying a plant at a nursery and talked to this stranger and told her that she needed to meet you and for her to contact me if she agreed. Hope you're good with that!” Crazy!
After a few days went by, I felt an urgency to let Michael know since he was involved and didn’t even know about it. I need to tell him what happened.
I asked Michael to go for a walk with me. As we walked, I told him the background story of the bougainvillea, how the original plant and it's death and the birthday and death of my mom all played a role; the effort that I had made to find a replacement; the number of stores that I visited; the thoughts that came to my mind when I met and talked with Jaime; the wrestling with those thoughts over the next days; the conditions that would need to occur to know these thoughts weren't from my flesh; how everything that I decided upon did occur; how impossible the criteria was; how Jaime’s answers not only met what I asked but exceeded what I had hoped for and even addressed desires that he had shared with me.
I basically told him everything his crazy father had done. I was concerned that Michael would react negatively - that he would tell me “thanks” but “no thanks” and to kindly stay out of his business. Instead he politely listened and appeared genuinely intrigued by the story.
“That’s a really crazy story, dad,” he stated in almost disbelief.
Not hearing any resistance I proceeded to try and convince him how miraculous this was, enumerating all of the things that had to be true again. This was truly a gift from God. “It is one of those moments when heaven and earth align,” I said.
When we arrived back at our house from our walk, I remembered a story in the Bible of someone going to find a wife for Abraham’s son and how he prayed for certain things to happen for guidance. I started to search through Genesis and came across the story in chapter 24. I decided to read it out loud with Michael.
Indeed, Abraham's servant asks for very specific conditions in determining the woman to ask to return with him to become Isaac’s wife and how God faithfully answered him. The stories, times and situations are obviously different, but the intent and the processes are so similar that they surprised me as I finished reading.
Wow! Abraham wanted Isaac to marry a woman from his people. I wanted Michael to also - it’s just that the ‘my people’ that I desired Michael to meet to be a genuine child of God - a spiritual relative.
Abraham’s servant set criteria for knowing which woman was ‘appointed’ by God to ask to come back with him. I set criteria to be sure this was God’s leading and to confirm my ‘seeing’ this specific young lady with Michael.
Abraham’s servant would know success if the women agreed to come back with him to marry Isaac. Success for me was to see this young lady and Michael agree to meet.
And interestingly, the Bible states that Rebekah was “very beautiful”. I didn’t feel so badly that I saw Jaime as beautiful now reading the Bible describing Rebekah that way.
I found myself attempting to convince Michael that I believed that he should go and find and meet Jaime himself and to invite her out. My mind was telling me I was crazy because I didn't even know this young lady, but yet I felt I knew her. I knew that God knew her and that God knew Michael!
I told Michael that it was a lot to take in and not to do this because I thought he should, but to pray and then act based upon the direction he felt the Lord was leading him.
A day or two went by and I hadn't heard from Jaime.
Other than his initial expression of amazement and disbelief, Michael had remained quiet and didn't say whether he was going to act or not.
I could barely handle the suspense. I decided I would at least risk asking him.
“Michael, I know that story was a lot to take in but I was wondering if you had prayed about what to do?” I asked
“I did,” he started, “I’m planning on going over there after work today.”
“Thank you Lord,” I thought. That is such a big step of faith that I couldn’t think of too many people that I knew that would take that step. This story continues to be more amazing! Doing this was out of Michael’s character as he is generally very measured and calculated. Incredible - so much of what has happened is so amazing it almost makes no sense!
“I’m not really sure how I’m going to know who to look for,” Michael continued.
“I’m sorry I can’t help you more than what I’ve already told you,” I replied. “She’s petite, she has brown hair, and she’s very beautiful. I wish I could help you more! And her name is Jaime, but I didn’t get a last name.”
“By the way,” I started to say thinking that something had to eventually not line up. “What is your favorite hair color?” “Brown,” Michael stated. “Unbelievable,” I said, “This is so crazy.”
And then the Lord gave me words that I immediately related to Michael as encouragement, “Jaime is a rare flower in an entire field of flowers. She is worth going and finding her.”
I later learned that after I had left the nursery, Jaime thought about what I said all afternoon and into the evening. Even though she felt a spiritual connection with me both times, she wanted to dismiss my request to meet Michael as just some dad looking to find someone for his son.
Jaime decided to take the information that I gave her to find Michael online. She thought that if she wasn’t attracted to him, she could count this as a strange story and move on. “Darn, he’s cute,” she thought, looking at pictures of him online.
The following day, she decided to share the story with her grandparents. She knew that they walked with the Lord and could provide her with guidance. Her grandparents listened and loved the story.
“What could it hurt to meet him?” her grandfather advised.
Unsure, Jaime kept praying about what she was going to do.
Michael had recently given his life to the Lord and he now knew that the Lord was real. He had grown up knowing about the Lord and wanted a real relationship but now he had become home to God’s Spirit and cherished the peace and joy that he received when the Spirit fell upon him.
He also began to experience the battle between his old self and the Spirit. Michael had recently broken up with his girlfriend of nine months and still longed to go back in time.
I wanted to question the timing of this moment in regard to Jaime. If she decided to meet Michael and become friends, why not first give Michael time to heal and move on and why put Jaime through his heartbreak?
But I knew this wasn’t my idea or timing, but God’s. He was the One that set this in motion. He was the One that prompted me to act at this time. They are both His children. I need to trust in His timing and His ways and allow Him to do His work. If Michael and Jaime both love Him and are called according to His purpose, He will make all things work together for their good.
To follow the Lord’s leading by going to Milberger's to look for Jaime was a huge step of faith for Michael. But deep within he knew he needed to go.
That afternoon he let me know that he was driving over to Milberger's. He didn’t know if Jaime would be working that afternoon and what would happen if he indeed found her.
I was amazed and grateful that he was taking this step of faith and obedience.
As Michael parked his car at Milberger's, he began feeling a similar apprehension that I had felt the week prior. What was he doing here and what was he going to say? His faith would have to carry him.
He saw the outside kiosk and remembered that I had said that she was a sales associate. He walked by, glanced in and spotted a blonde sales associate and knew that it wasn’t Jaime.
Michael next saw an employee watering plants and asked if she knew if Jaime was working. She didn’t speak English so she pointed Michael to the main checkout area.
As Michael walked into the register area, he saw an attractive young lady with brown hair along with another lady behind the sales counter. That must be her, he thought.
Since the sales associate was busy with customers, Michael began walking around wondering whether he should speak with her and, if so, what he would say. After walking around, he decided that he wasn’t going to plan - he would just allow any conversation to happen.
Since there were customers at the counter, he walked around the store as he pondered whether to go through with this. During several moments, Michael thought about leaving and abandoning his plans. It was all just too crazy. But his faith kept him there and built his resolve.
Jaime had spotted Michael as he walked through the main area. “I know that person,” she thought and then soon realized that it was the young man she had searched online. It was Michael! “What is he doing here?” she wondered as she continued to serve customers.
As Jaime finished with the last customer waiting to be helped, Michael saw his opportunity. He thought that he might be able to draw her away from the busy main area.
“Can you show me where the bougainvilleas are?” Michael asked.
“They’re right outside those doors,” Jaime replied pointing to the area in front of the store - the area where I had found the bougainvillea the week before.
“Ok, thanks,” Michael replied seeing that his effort to draw her away hadn’t succeeded. “Do you know if Jaime is working today?” he followed as he tried to make sure that the sales associate was indeed her.
“That’s me!”, Jaime playfully responded, now knowing that Michael was here to speak with her.
“I know this seems strange...”, Michael started as he paused and considered what to say.
“You’re Rick’s son,” Jaime interjected in an effort to help the awkwardness of the situation.
“I am,” Michael responded as Jaime let Michael know that she needed to take care of another customer who had walked up to the counter.
As Jaime finished with the customer, she took a few moments to speak with Michael. She couldn’t believe that Michael had come to the store to meet her. After finishing with the customer, Jaime took a moment to talk to Michael. The two agreed to get together the next evening after work.
Upon hearing the news that Michael had followed the Lord’s leading and that Jaime had graciously accepted his invitation, I literally jumped for joy! I was thrilled and amazed that these two young people both took an incredible step of faith. I felt an amazing joy that I have only known from being in the Lord’s presence! This was incredible!
The following evening, Michael drove over to Jaime’s grandparents house to pick up Jaime for dinner. All Michael knew about Jaime was what he could glean from his short conversation with her and what I told him from my brief conversation.
All Jaime knew about Michael was what little I told her and what she could find online.
Jaime’s grandparents graciously greeted Michael and joked that he didn’t need to bring her back until they were to leave for an early morning trip to Jaime’s brother’s graduation.
As it was, Michael and Jaime talked over dinner, talked while going for a walk, and stayed up and talked until 2 in the morning. They shared stories about their upbringing, their families and the strange story about a bougainvillea that brought them together.
A few days following their dinner, Michael remarked that he felt closer to Jaime than anyone he has ever known before.
January 2023 update
This update comes with the arrival of Jaime and Michael’s first child, Hadley Grace. Indeed, this remarkable story continued as Michael and Jaime came to know one another, wrestle through some early struggles, become really close friends, fall in love, and marry a couple of years following their divine introduction.
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