With going on 22 years of marriage, I want to reminisce the past when I first met Mike.
It ws the summer of the year 1980 something. A few of us from church were helping our friend Ivan move from his townhouse into a house with a new roommate. I met this new roommate as he walked up to the house that day – Mike T. K. Lee. He was wearing a UCLA tank top. Nice wide shoulders, I thought. (His waist size was 28 when we got married.) We were all good friends at church, and we did things together as a group. I had a boyfriend at the time, a medical student that my parents were very hopeful that I would marry. Mike started to date one of my best friends, so there was no interest on my part.
Forward a couple of years later. Both Mike and I were single. The med student and I grew apart while he was in med school in Ohio and I was in seminary. Mike wasn’t in any serious relationships.
Anyone remember those days when amusement parks had Christian music night? Do they still do that? Our church group of young adults (me at 24 years of age) were going to Christian music night at Disneyland. Mike surprised me when he asked me out for dinner before the event. I wasn’t too impressed that we went to Sizzler’s, but it was pleasant. At Disneyland, my friend Zena says to me privately, “I think Mike likes you.” I figured we were just all friends as a group.
Well, as it turned out, Mike did like me and we started seeing each other more. I didn’t think I would like him because he is quiet and reserved. But as I got to know him, I began to like his subtlety. He has an independent nature and adventurous spirit, which is what I am not and which is why he is an entreprenuer. While I usually did more of the talking, he is a good listener, and very caring and kind. On February 14th, Valentine’s Day, 1984 Mike proposed to me!
I know it is a cliche, but I have to say it because it is true – those 22 years went by with just a blink of an eye. It feels like maybe at most 5 years since we were married. But we have an 18-year-old son to remind me it’s been that long. As with every relationship, we’ve had our ups and downs. I appreciate Mike more each day whenever I think of his patience, his kindness, and his easy going nature. He always thinks the best of me, and encourages me to excel, yet allows me to be who I am. He is humble to readily admit his mistakes, he is willing to work hard, and always ready to do the right thing. He said he loves me because I balance the parts of him that he lacks – he is introverted, a thinker and task-oriented while I am more outgoing, expressive, emotional and personable
Didn’t I make a good choice in choosing Mike? I think he made a pretty choice in choosing me 🙂
Honey, I know you are reading this – leave me a comment 🙂
November 21st, 2006 at 12:18 pm
Time flies when you’re having fun! Our little ventures up and down just make it more exciting. Thank you for the lessons learned.
It’s OK to be late… clean doesn’t just mean my stuff is in neat stacks – dust is bad, but clutter is OK … I don’t always have to have Chinese food- Salt is bad – Cheesecake and butter is good… change is good – landscaping and furniture needs to be moved around each year… it’s more important to sleep than to work late – don’t sweat the small stuff… express your love in gifts and words, not just by works…
In addition to being a good match, I also love you for choosing me, putting up with my business ventures, raising beautiful children together, reminding me of our commitment to God and making a loving home for us. Yes, I made a good choice.