Monday Motivation: Flip-flops

Friends

In this season of Thanksgiving, I share a life moment that I am forever thankful for. Here’s the final story in this series about our family’s move to Richmond.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – NIV

I was a bundle of nerves as I stepped through the doorway. The hallways were packed, teenagers everywhere. I scanned the sea of faces, not a single one familiar. My stomach did a flip-flop.

It was Day 1 at Midlothian High School, Day 1 of my senior year, and all I wanted to do was turn around and run for the parking lot. I stood frozen in place, feeling the other students rushing past me, catching up with their friends. My ears were assaulted by hundreds of simultaneous conversations, most at max volume. Outwardly, I was at a loss for words, but inwardly, an all-too-familiar conversation had begun, “Chin up, Anita. You can do this. You’ve done it before. Keep on walking.”

As I watched the other kids bustling past, I reminded myself that I always felt this way on the first day. I’d had a lot of practice at this “new kid” thing. After four high schools, tackling a fifth one should have been easier, but standing there in that crowded corridor, it felt far from easy..

Thank goodness, Marybeth was by my side. I had met her earlier that summer, finding out that she lived just down the street from our new home on Trent Road. She had been so kind to me, showing me the area, even inviting me over to hang out and listen to some music. I was glad to make a new friend, in this new place. I had spent most of the summer in South Carolina, savoring those last days with my high school friends there, but the summer was over, and it was time for a new start in a new school.

I had dressed carefully that morning, selecting dark jeans and a black three-quarter sleeve T-shirt adorned with some flowery trim. I hoped it looked good without standing out. The last thing I wanted to do was stand out. I already felt like a big enough sore thumb!

I had picked Marybeth up for school in my bright blue, 62 VW bug. She had offered to show me around the school and help me find my classrooms. I was so grateful to have her by my side.

The crowds began to thin as we made it to the opposite end of the school, Marybeth searching out the spot for my locker. Finding the locker, we turned in the direction of my home room. Classes would be starting soon.

That’s when a guy called out to Marybeth, and she turned quickly to flash him a bright smile before launching into a lively conversation. As they bantered back and forth, I cast a shy glance in the guy’s direction. He was well-built, broad shoulders, a little taller than me, probably an athlete, may be a football player. His brown hair was streaked with blonde, and he had a handsome face.

Marybeth and her friend were actively flirting back-and-forth, teasing each other about their summer swim team. I noticed his mischievous grin as he teased her, and her easy laugh in response. It was clear that they knew each other well.

I stood there awkwardly, my stomach doing cartwheels, my anxious mind barely able to follow the conversation. Then Marybeth turned and introduced me to the guy. Despite my nerves, I forced a polite smile, a smile that became more genuine as my eyes found his. His eyes were gorgeous, and I couldn’t help but stare.

Marybeth was chattering again, and his eyes floated back toward hers. When he said, “We should go out sometime,” she responded, “Yeah, we should.” Marybeth flashed him a quick smile as she turned to go, and then she added, “See you later.”

Just then, the warning bell signaling the start of classes rang, and my mind quickly shifted from the conversation. “Here we go,” I thought, and my stomach replied with another resounding somersault.

I survived the day. It wasn’t so bad after all, but I was certainly glad to slide into my VW Bug and head home. Mama was waiting for me as she had so many times before, and I sure was glad to see her.

The next two days went easily enough as my nerves began to settle down. I did notice this cute guy in my Spanish class. He sat across the room from me, his back against the bank of windows. He was good-looking, sun-streaked brown hair, broad shoulders, nicely built. But his eyes, that’s what made me take a second look. He had the most gorgeous eyes. When he managed to catch me taking that secon look, he cast a slight grin in my direction, which, of course, embarrassed me to the core.

After school on Wednesday, as I headed into the public library to drop off a book, , the cute guy from my Spanish class came down the library steps and flashed a bright smile at me. . We talked for just a moment, but I was struck once again by those gorgeous eyes.

Marybeth called me that evening. “Hey, do you know that guy we met in the hallway on Monday, the one I was talking to near your locker?”

“Yeah,” I responded, not sure where this was going.

“Well, he asked me for your phone number. He wanted to know if you would go out with him.”

I was stunned, my mind reeling in surprise. “But I thought he liked you.”

“What? ‘Ric? Oh no! No, we’ve known each other forever.”

“But you were talking about going out together sometime. I thought he was asking you out.”

She burst into a fit of laughter. “Oh no! No, we were just teasing each other. He likes to tease.”

“He wants to go out with me?”

“Yeah, he says he saw you at the library and that you’re in his Spanish class. Can I give him your number?”

I suddenly made the connection. The guy I had met with her in that chance hallway meeting on the first day of school was the same cute guy in my Spanish class. I was so nervous that first morning that I hadn’t even realized it was the same guy. I thought for just a moment more, and then smiled, “Sure, you can give him my phone number.”

He called the next afternoon, and we talked for about an hour. At the end of the conversation, he nervously asked, “Would you like to go to a movie on Saturday night? There’s a new movie out. It’s called ‘Star Wars’.” My stomach did another flip-flop as I replied, “Yeah, sure, I’d like to go.”

He responded, “Great! The movie is at seven.” After a prolonged pause, he added, “I guess I should come a little early to meet your parents before we go?” My smile grew a little brighter as I replied, “Sure, that would be great.”

He did show up early, meeting my father’s eye as he shook his hand. It was a bit awkward, but he hung in there, answering my mother’s gentle questions until I finally rescued him and ushered us off to the movies. My parents were impressed, and so was I.

The movie had us both mesmerized from the opening drum-roll, but I was still keenly aware of him nestled in the seat beside me. When he put his arm on the back of my seat, and his fingers brushed my shoulder, I felt my stomach do a flip-flop, but this time, it felt different. This time, it felt right, like maybe I was in the right place after all.

That was the beginning, the start of my life with Eric. 46 years ago, God had a good plan for hope and a future. Come a lot of Mondays since that movie theater that first night. Through all the years and miles, and tears and smiles, we’ve somehow learned to get it right.*

Looking back, I am amazed how one phone call, one job offer, one decision changed the course of our lives. If my parents had not trusted God with a plan that was not their own, we would have never moved to Richmond, and I would never have met Eric. God had a good plan for our lives. Thank goodness, we had the good sense to follow where he led!

PRAYER

O Good, Good Father, thank You for loving us and leading us, for showing us Your good way. Help us to trust Your plans, for they are perfect and meant for good. To You, be all the Glory!

In the Faithful Name of Jesus, we give thanks and pray,

Amen

Thanksgiving Blessings,

Anita

*adapted from the lyrics from “The Coast Of Carolina” by Jimmy Buffet, 2004.

-APS 11/27/2023