I Will Not Take My Love Away Chapter 1: No Way Jose!

I was inspired by Brittney's "book" about her and her husband's love story on her blog. It really made me want to do it too! So, without further adieu...our story!


In the fall of 2001, I was a freshman at Drury University. I don't have a lot of pictures because I don't even think I owned a camera, but I do have this one of me leaving for campus move-in day.

On the first day of classes I met Tara. She and I became fast friends. We were both education majors, lived in Smith Hall, and had a lot in common. She taught me so much about God and the way that faith lived out looks.

She also talked to me a lot about her ex-boyfriend. They had parted on good terms and still kept in touch. He lived in Columbia and attended Mizzou so although I heard a lot about him, I never actually got to see him.

Later that fall, Tara started telling me that she thought her ex-boyfriend and I would be perfect for each other. I told her she was crazy. I also told her there was absolutely NO way I was going to date her left-overs. We laughed about it and didn't bring it up again for a while. I dated a little over the next months and had my share of dating woes. I spent many nights talking with and crying to that poor girl. I can even remember wondering if I would ever find someone who loved me.

Thursday, March 21st, 2002 we were in her dorm room talking about boys and she brought up the ex-boyfriend again. I told her that I thought she was losing it and that I didn't want to end up on some day-time talk show about how horrible it is to date your friend's ex. I really thought the conversation was over as she got up to use the restroom. Little did I know that that sneaky girl had taken her phone and called him. I knew something was up when she walked back into the room with that sly little smile on her face and said something to the effect of, "Oh yeah, Shawn, she's right here." I mouthed the words, "I am going to kill you" and she just laughed and proceeded to hand me the phone. I felt my face get beet red and my palms started to sweat. I can remember thinking that I had no idea what to say. I don't think he did either. We both kind of mumbled through our opening lines. He asked me if I had Windows Messenger and I admitted that I didn't but told him I could try to set one up. Later that night, it's exactly what I did.

Stay tuned for Chapter 2: So, Ummmm, What Do You Look Like?