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Hi everyone,
Can you guess where Emily and I went on our very first date?
You probably won’t believe this — we went to Forest Lawn Cemetery! Yes… a graveyard!
We were walking, talking, and getting to know each other — right there among the tombstones.
Emily used to laugh and say, “Our relationship started in the graveyard.”
And here’s the funny thing — that was also our last date before we got engaged!
Some people have asked me, “Wait a second — you mean you two didn’t see each other again before you got engaged?”
We did! We saw each other every weekend… and we talked on the phone almost every day, but we just weren’t dating in the usual romantic way.
Every Friday after work, I’d drive 120 miles down to San Diego to see Emily.
That night, we went to Bible Study Fellowship, and on Saturdays, we’d spend the day with her mom — grocery shopping, going to the bank, the post office, and doing other ordinary family things together, then early Sunday morning, I’d drive back to Los Angeles to serve in my church.
I did try to be romantic!
Before heading to San Diego, I’d stop by my house, cut some beautiful roses from my garden, and bring them to Emily.
I thought that was pretty romantic… but Emily told me later she would’ve preferred I arrive on time instead of making her wait for Bible study!
Looking back now, we realize those weekends were truly precious.
No movies, no fancy restaurants, no candlelight dinners — just simple, everyday family life.
But that’s where we really got to know each other.
Through those ordinary moments, we learned to understand one another.
And that understanding became the foundation that carried us through many challenges later in our marriage.
Here’s what we’ve learned from those days:
1. True love grows through understanding.
2. Love without understanding is like the morning dew — when the heat of life comes, it disappears.
3. Misunderstanding causes conflict, pain, and hurt feelings.
4. But understanding builds trust, heals hurt, and strengthens relationships.
Peter