Happy Birthday Vince

Today is a very, very special day.

On this day 29 years ago the most amazing man was born (I am a little bias).

Today is Vince’s birthday!

For some reason when I go to describe this wonderful man I am always left speechless. I could tell you he is funny, kind, smart, handsome, godly, loving, and generally an amazing role model, but that can never do him justice. So trust me that he is an amazing person!

I first met Vince in a summer Latin class at Ole Miss, I had seen him in another of my classes but he was very quiet and sat in a corner, which made him easy to miss. The Latin class was small enough that he was forced to talk and interact and I am so thankful for that.

I still remember an incident where a fellow classmate asked me a grammar question, then tried to convince me that I was wrong. (First dear sir, do not ask someone a question just to tell him or her they are wrong, that’s rude. Second, that was one of the few things I knew well enough that I was certain I was right.) I remember thinking “I know I’m right, but am I? He is very sure.” After this arrogant… I mean sure of himself student awkwardly lectured me, Vince finally spoke up and told the guy firmly “she is right.”

That was the first time Vince ever spoke to me, years later I reminded him of it and he said he doesn’t remember, but he did remember the guy and said I was probably right.  After that I only ever spoke to Vince a few times before he graduated, I must point out every conversations was sweetly awkward. Vince is extremely shy by nature.

Its funny how God’s plans work out. At the time I first met Vince I was seeing someone else, long story short, by the time that ended Vince was in Greenville, MS teaching and I decided I was not going to date for a very long time. Why you ask? Because I had to find myself… that’s a joke, I knew who I was I just needed to actually be myself and wait and let God show me to the person I was supposed to be with. He is a much better matchmaker than I am.

It was during this waiting period I got a friend request from Vince on Facebook. At first I thought it was a little funny since I hadn’t seen him is a long time, but I accepted because I remembered he was a really nice person. I think God was trying to point me in a direction and I wasn’t quite getting it yet. Then a mutual friend was talking about how Vince was teaching and I was confused how the quiet guy in the corner was a teacher. On a whim I messaged him to see how he was doing.

It turns out we are not only both classicist nerds, but also farm nerds. We talked and talked and finally Vince asked if he could see me the next time he was home.

Clearly the first date went well, as did everyone after that.

 Early on I asked him about how he saw his future and he saw it on a farm with animals and a family. Others might think its odd but that was the thing that told me he was the one. Over time I also learned how deep his faith ran. He wasn’t just a casual Christian in name only. He will tell you he could and should do better, but his faith has inspired and encouraged mine.

I am so blessed to have him in my life and I am so grateful our son will get to call him daddy. I look forward to many more birthdays to come.