Mountain Lane Homesteaders

A birthday, an anniversary, and how we met

9:56 AM, Thursday, August 31, 2006 .. Posted in Family Moments .. 10 comments .. Link

38 years ago today my knight in shining armor was born. At the time I didn't realize the importance of the day. I was 3 1/2. But that's okay I suppose because he got lots of attention. He was the 5th child born into his family so he had his parents and four siblings to dote on him for me. He grew up in his world on the east side of the country while I started my life story in the midwest.

You could say that school really wasn't his "cup of tea" so he spent a lot of time living for his summer vacations, drawing/painting pictures, playing cello, piano, and guitar, studying the word of God, and dreaming about living off in the wilderness somewhere among the mountains. While he was busy with all those things I was going to college and studying early childhood education. One summer I took a job as a nanny in Colorado. I flew on a plane by myself for the first time, lived with people I didn't know, and grew to love the 3 girls I took care of. While I was there a very kind and distinguished pastor came to stay for a few days with the family. He had a wonderful soothing voice which I will always remember. It was the kind of voice that just made you want to sit and listen regardless of what it was he was saying. It actually brings tears to my eyes to remember it now.

After I graduated from college and was now out in the "real" world, I was working a full time job and a part time job to cover my living expenses. Life felt something like a rickety merry-go-round that I wasn't sure was ever going to stop spinning. When the woman I had worked for that summer during college called to tell me that she had moved to Hawaii and wanted to fly me out to live with her again to care for the girls and tutor the youngest who had some learning disabilities, I wasn't too sure about going that far away from my family-but I sure knew it was an opportunity I didn't want to miss. It was November. I was in Iowa. Stop the merry-go-round and let me off.......I'm going to Hawaii!

I celebrated the holidays with my family in Iowa and then when the new year rang I was off. Who knew the ocean was that BLUE?!! Wow. The home I was staying in had a banana tree in the back yard, macadamia nut trees across the street, and papayas right down the road. What a place.

One day I was at the house when a young boy came to the door to visit the family and I was introduced. After he left, the housekeeper (who was a wonderful dear friend to me while I was there) looked straight at me with a smile and said, "Now THERE's someone for YOU!" I thought maybe she had inhaled too many fumes because the boy obviously looked to be no more than 17 years old and I was 24 at the time.

Well, of course the "boy" was indeed my future knight in shining armor and he was NOT 17. He was in Hawaii taking some classes at University of the Nations (a YWAM base). He knew the family I worked for through his grandfather. Two months later on Thanksgiving day, he was invited to the house to share our meal. While we were cleaning up afterwards he asked me lots of questions and actually was interested in my answers. I was hooked.

It was a fairytale courtship. We fell in love sitting on the sea wall listening to the waves crashing. He proposed to me while kneeling in the pacific ocean at sunset. On August 31st of the next year Sam turned 22. He had his birthday cake at our rehearsal dinner and we were married the next night.

There was a poem that was said by the minister at our wedding that has been the guiding light of our choices over the years........

What is it that Satan fears the most?
Besides the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.....
It's not the fiery preacher
Nor the man who far has trod
But a close and loving family
United by God.

I'm sure that even though you can read the poem, you can't see the smiling eyes or hear the Norwegian lilt of the man who married us that night. It was that voice from a few summers before when I was a lonely college girl in Colorado. It seems that the kind, distinguished man with the soothing voice was now to become family......as he is the grandfather of my knight in shining armor. Grandpa Morken was a mighty man of God who has gone on to see his Jesus but will live on forever in our memories and the stories we tell to our children.

Today we will celebrate the birth of my knight and tomorrow we will celebrate 16 years of happiness together. My desire is that each person that reads these words will know the kind of love that I have known these past 16 years.

Leave a Comment

Wonderful

11:13 AM, Thursday, August 31, 2006 .. Posted by Pattisea
What a lovely story and how romantic - Hawaii of all places! Can't do much better.

My DH is also 3 years younger than I am (For TOO many years he looked like he could be my son, and even now, when people see him with his teenage sons, everyone assumes he's the older brother!).

Thanks for sharing a happy ever after (in progress).

Happy Anniversary!

Patti
Neat

11:56 AM, Thursday, August 31, 2006 .. Posted by workinprogress
Very neat, thanks for sharing your story. I know what you mean by your husband actually listened and paid attention and that's when you knew. My dh asked me what I was doing one Friday night (before we were ever courting). I said 'scrubbing our kitchen floor'. And he asked if he could help and we spent the evening cleaning floors and talking. That's when I knew! So glad you have such a loving family. You are right - a loving, Godly family is a glory to the Lord. Blessings.

Shannon
Bon anniversaire!

7:48 PM, Thursday, August 31, 2006 .. Posted by Anonymous
There are tears in my eyes when I read this, not the least because that man you describe is my grandpa and your DH is my baby brother. What a beautiful description! I\'ll never forget hearing about you when the two of you first met--you were the most beautiful girl in the world, as I remember, and still are. My brother was love-struck, and it was (is!) a joy to see. Happy birthday, and a blessed anniversary, and here\'s to many many more!

Much love, Sadie.
Congratulations

8:43 AM, Friday, September 1, 2006 .. Posted by deedee06
What a beautiful story! Happy birthday to Sam and happy anniversary to both of you. My husband is tall too. At 6'3", he towers over me by 9 inches. David wonders if he goes to the bankers' conference in Bozeman in the spring? Bless you lots!...........Denise (prairiemom)
Blew Me Away

9:11 AM, Friday, September 1, 2006 .. Posted by teapots66
Darcy, this story is your best yet. I'm so glad you shared. What a testamant to your marriage that you'd be willing to share with so many people - almost kind of telling the whole world! I hope you read this before reading my message to you - if I had known what a special couple of days it is for you I would have waited sharing what I did (I should have known, now I think of it, I think you mentioned this earlier - what a weenie I can be, eh?). What a blessing Sam found a gal who can share his mountain dreams - you should celebrate today by cutting down a HUGE, DEAD tree. Sending my love to you at this special time - and looking forward to hearing your stories with Sam for many more years. -Chris
Untitled Comment

12:46 PM, Friday, September 1, 2006 .. Posted by YPAmy5
Oh my goodness! What a completely wonderful tale! I just love it!
How utterly romantic. And for the preacher to be Grampa- wow! God is good!
And thanks so much for sharing.
Amy W
Touched

5:26 AM, Saturday, September 2, 2006 .. Posted by mc2rwe
Wow, you have truly been touched by God. Not only for His blessings by giving you such wonderful people to share your life with but by the wonderful gifts He has given you to tell about it. I love your writing style. I so enjoyed this entry.

Excuse me while I reach for a handkerchief!

1:38 AM, Tuesday, September 5, 2006 .. Posted by jackiebridgen
Darcy what a beautiful story!
I love reading your blog too - I do have to keep my envy in check, as your wilderness home is my heart's desire, but sadly we don't have wilderness in the UK!
My DH is 7.5 years younger than me! Since he grew the beard, it's less easy to mistake him for my son LOL
Thanks for such a wonderful story, keep on sharing the stories of your life.
jackie
What a fairytale!

5:09 AM, Tuesday, September 5, 2006 .. Posted by Hisirishgem
I was hoping at the end of this story there would be a pic of you two. Hallelujah! There it was.haha

You both make a cute pair and I pray that you enjoy many more years learning from one another. Thank You for sharing such an intimate moment. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!

Rebekah
A Match made in Heaven

11:58 AM, Wednesday, September 6, 2006 .. Posted by Kelly
I do have to say that I got goose bumps when reading this and a little teary eyed also. It was like watching an episode from Little House on the Praire all over again. You did find yourself a great guy Darcy and the two of you have definitely found your passion in life together. I look forward to seeing you both again soon and visiting your little house in the woods in the near future. All my love, Kelly

{ Last Page } { Page 32 of 65 } { Next Page }

About Me

My husband and I along with our 3 children, moved from Iowa to Montana 3 years ago fulfilling a long time dream of living in the mountains. Last summer we purchased and moved onto our bare land and are currently living in our home made cabin which has evolved from a shed to a barn to our cabin and future guest house. The foundation for what we now call "The big house" is dug and waiting for our next burst of energy!