The Unexpected

Friday night, after a week of sickness for both Andrew and myself, he was adamant we were going to see the new movie, Marley and Me. He had seen it previously and had not stopped talking about it. I think it is INSANE that going to see a movie costs us $17 so we usually avoid the theater for the principal of it. But thanks to my beautiful and selfless sister-in-law, Susanna; I put Ceilidh to sleep and walked out the door for the first date with JUST Andrew in a really long time. I felt like a little old couple because we went to Wendys for dinner and I ordered a potato and he ate a chicken sandwich with a salad for his side. You always see old people in Wendys and Panera. Its the funniest thing. We ordered light b/c neither one of our stomachs were quite ready for a burger. Oh, and let me add that I had ibuprofen and pepto bismal in my purse just in case! HAHAHA

Anyway.... the movie is awesome. This is definitely a plug for Marley and Me as long as you take 3 boxes of tissues with you. So as not to spoil it for anyone that hasn't seen it, I will just tell you that the couple in the movie continues to have surprises in their lives as individuals and as couples. I have not been able to shake this idea of the unexpected since.

I don't think I ever had a "plan" for my life or even an idea of what it would look like. But I do know, I never imagined where I have come from or where I am presently. I have lived a life of unexpectedness. Some horribly awful, and some amazingly wonderful. I wont even begin to tackle my life before college... someday I am going to win a Pulitzer for my life story before college, and my sister will win her first Oscar when it goes to film! HA In all seriousness though, it was a journey of good and bad and some intertwined along the way.

During my senior year, I applied to a NC school that I knew I could get accepted by and was just fine not risking a rejection letter from a more highly touted University. The father of the family that I babysat for had other plans. He literally wrote and sent my recommendation letter to Carolina before telling me I needed to get my application in soon. ha He and his wife both knew I needed to push myself and I wasn't going to do it without prodding. Well, we all know the story.... I checked my online status EVERY minute of every afternoon and one day found out that I was accepted. Another surprise in Cyndy's life.

I stared my freshman year not sure if I really wanted to be there. I wasn't a grade psycho like some I met, I was not an anti-bush/war/government psycho like some I met, I didn't drive a brand new range rover, and I sure as heck didn't dress-up to go to class! But then.... but then I found The University of North Carolina, not just stereotypes. I found normal people, and better yet, I found Intervarsity and a group of people who were interested in my soul and being real with me. I also found sports, good debate, an amazing education, and yes... I found conservatives! ha Cyndy's deep rooted love of Carolina... another surprise.

I then found a man that I can't imagine spending life without. He was and continues to be an amazingly awesome unexpected. Both marriage and parenthood fall into the unexpected category everyday as there is always something new. Never thought I would live in a place I didn't know existed until 5 years ago. I love my home and I really like the area we live in, but sometimes I sit and think, "How in the world did I end up here?" It is just funny to think back about the cheerleader/soccer player in Mrs. Layton's English class senior year in Gastonia, North Carolina; compared to the wife/mom living in Carthage, North Carolina.

And then, probably one of the most unexpecteds, saying goodbye to a son I never met alive. I, just like everyone else thought, "It will never happen to me." I have to be honest and say it never even crossed my mind. When we found out we were pregnant with Kenan, I remember telling my sister to wait and tell her children if she wanted to just in case something happened. Did I believe that was a possibility? No, of course not. It is just something you say. Little did I know, huh? I am not even sure that I am completely over the shock now. I am glad to say that Andrew and I are both on the road of healing; but as the days draw closer to his expected arrival, the tears have been flowing more frequently and more easily.

Though much of my life has been unexpected, I thank God everyday for most of those experiences. Others I learned valuable lessons, some I am still trying to understand, and some were horribly painful and will never understand until Heaven. Overall, I love my God, my husband, and my amazing/spunky/lovable/beautiful little girl. I am thankful my Lord is forever faithful, even when I am not and through all life's unexpectedness!