The Joy of Remembering

I remember the exact moment I first fell in love with my wife.  It kind of scared me because we were only a few weeks to a month into our dating relationship.  I took her out to dinner at Denny's.  I was quite the big spender back then.  At least I've grown up now right; I mean now I fork out the big bucks and take her to IHOP.  Luckily for me, Ang does not relate my feelings for her by the amount I spend.  She is all about time; quality time. 

After I scarfed down my Grand Slam and she her Sampler (I'm guessing that's what we ate - pretty typical meal for us back then), we started to walk out the door.  Just then, Ang stopped and her eyes grew big.  There, sitting right in front of her was one of those machines that you win a stuffed animal in.  You know the ones; has a claw that you have to navigate to the prize of your choice.  Once you find that dream animal (I have to say - I don't get the love for these things at all) you press a button and the claw releases and descends to that fake furry creature.  If you're lucky enough - I do not believe there is any skill to this at all - the claw will catch on to this complete waste of money and bring it to you!

Well, Ang eyeballed her prize and proceeded to give away her quarters.  As she was in the middle of round 1 or round 2 - I cannot remember - a little boy and his Mom came up behind Ang and pointed, saying "I want that one Mommy!"  At this point, I was expecting my girlfriend (at that time) to step aside and let this kid give it a shot.  Well, she didn't.  Without even acknowledging the boy, she stuffed in a couple more quarters and started making attempts at the prize that was pointed out by the youth. 

I was embarrassed.  I saw as the boy gave his Mom a very disappointed look when he noticed that he may not get a shot at his dream animal, and I saw as the Mom returned his look with a shrug and a bit of irritation. 

Ang's luck was not great for the first few attempts, and I remember seeing her actually getting a little frustrated that she wasn't able to get that thing.  I remember thinking to myself, "I cannot believe that she is competing with a toddler!"  Then, with her next quarter, she drops the medal claw over that little blue (I think) animals head, and as it started its ascent, it caught on.  Not sure what it grabbed, but before we knew it, that animal was soaring to freedom.  Ang got a bit gitty for a second, and then calmed herself down.  I felt so disappointed for the child.  She opened the little slot and pulled out her prize.  Without a second glance at the lifeless creature, she turned to the boy and said, "here you go sweetie".  That kid's eyes got as big as beech balls as he grabbed onto the precous animal.  He looked at his Mom like he would have on Christmas Day, and Mom returned the smile.  Ang just stood up straight and headed for the door.

I saw a part of her that just made me melt.  I looked again at the little boy, overjoyed with his new free gift, and turned to follow my girl out of the restaurant.  It was that very moment that I knew there was something very special about Angela Pasko.

Now, why in the world would I tell this story at the beginning of this study on Philippians?  How in the world could a story about how the love for my wife first came to fruition have anything to do with the Bible?