Everyone, I think, loves a good love story. In recent months I have been privileged to watch one unfold right before my very eyes.

Lamar walked into choir practice in January and quietly took a seat next to my husband in the bass section. They introduced themselves and began to get to know one another. The most important fact to emerge from this conversation, as far as I'm concerned, was that Lamar is single! "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." as Jane Austen eloquently said in "Pride and Prejudice". I don't really know about the good fortune part, but you get the idea. My little mind immediately began running down the list of single women I know.

I never thought of Jo, but as we were sitting at a little table in the church coffee bar before choir practice one evening Lamar walked in and Jo said, "I think Lamar is adorable." Being the great thinker that I am - something clicked! "So do I," I replied in as encouraging a voice as I could muster. I began to try to think of ways I could help this along, but I needn't have worried.

The next week when we walked into church, there were Lamar and Jo sitting having coffee together. Then they sat next to each other in choir. My little heart danced when, a few weeks later, my husband and I were walking behind them and they were holding hands. Before long they were together all the time.

It is such a pleasure to watch two people who are falling in love. Lamar is very shy and quiet, but he sure was smiling a lot more. Jo began to have a radiance about her. One evening I gave her a hug and told her how happy she looked. "I am," she said with that glowing smile.

We sat next to them in church a couple of weeks ago. They were holding hands and talking. "We've just come from the Riverwalk," she said. Then she leaned over and whispered, "It's my birthday, and we celebrated the day together." They both just grinned from ear to ear.

It was Jo's 68th birthday. Lamar is 72. They are such a sweet couple. I think marriage is definitely in their future, but Jo says they need to go slowly and carefully. She is a very wise lady.

It has been a joy to watch these two begin to build a relationship that is grounded firmly in their shared faith. They are precious, giving people who serve and love with open hearts. I plan to be at this wedding. I, for one, can't wait.

Blessings,