February 14, 2019

Made in Heaven

What if I told you my mom heard a voice from heaven tell her to marry my dad? Mmhmm, you might think, with understandable cynicism, because people make all kinds of interesting claims. Well, in honor of the Valentine season and my parent’s recent 40 year anniversary, I’ve decided to tell their story. Whether you believe it is up to you.

The Story

My mom, Mary, was in her early 20s- waves of dark hair framed a sweet face, her athletic figure complimented by the hippie styles of the time. My dad, Morgan, unselfconsciously sported a crew cut that showcased the scars of a wild childhood at a time when hairy was king. Mom hailed from an upper class Pasadena family; dad had spent his teen years living in a converted school bus with his three siblings while their parents did missionary work.

They had little in common really, except a mutual indifference to one another and a Christian faith. My mom’s was new and fresh as spring time after a childhood in a predominantly secular home – my dad’s was already deeply rooted and as much a part of him as his DNA. They shared friends but gave little thought to each other.

Until…

The Megaphone

Mom harbored a deep fear of marrying the wrong person. In the newness and innocence of her faith she had started praying that God would just tell her ‘through a megaphone‘ who she should marry. One night as she was lying in bed with thoughts of a good looking man with shaggy blonde hair drifting through her head, she was startled by a voice: “You’re going to marry Morgan.” It spoke clearly and loudly as though someone was with her in the quiet room. She looked around in startled surprise. The megaphone spoke and her first response was – “HIM?!?” She wasn’t attracted to him. I mean, the crewcut, remember? The scars! But as the revelation settled she prayed, “Ok, God. I want to see how you do this. ” And she sat back and waited.

Shortly afterwards, they both attended a social function. Dad, never lacking for a date despite his unfashionable appearance, had a pretty one on his arm. Mom found this very annoying considering her recent revelation. But as my dad went around greeting people he shook my mom’s hand…and he heard it too. Not the megaphone, but the whisper. “This woman will meld perfectly with your spirit.” So he pursued. They went on dates and he kissed her symbolically, having been previously warned by God to stop kissing girls until he kissed the girl he married.

The Detour

Then, as often happens in our life stories, things got complicated. My mom ran away on a scholastic cruise around the world, and my dad decided the whisper must have been heartburn. He carelessly tossed her correspondence information and went on with his life. My mom, meanwhile, reaching port after port with no letter from my dad, gave the Almighty an ultimatum. If she didn’t get a letter from my dad at the next port, megaphone or no megaphone, she was done with that guy. Scars and all.

Meanwhile, Dad would often walk through the woods, praying and looking for guidance from God. During one of his walks he received a clear impression that he was supposed to immediately go back home and “write that girl a letter“. And grow his hair out. He obeyed with some flustered muttering and sent my mom a few awkward lines of greeting. They arrived at the next port.

When my mom got back she was greeted by a young man with a full head of soft brown hair and a fashionable beard. She found him very attractive. A little while later they were married.

40 years later

In December my parents celebrated 40 years of marriage. Their marriage, by the way, has not been perfect. Marrying a human is intrinsically problematic, evening when Heaven itself makes the match. It hasn’t been perfect… but it has been wonderful. They’ve travelled the world together doing their life’s work and fulfilling their calling. They’ve sat with the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor and felt equally comfortable with both. With the great they don’t feel small and with the least they don’t feel great – a mark of true humility. They’ve been incredible parents and the best of grandparents, and generations will benefit from their faithfulness.

Like a deeply rooted tree, their marriage benefits so many more than just themselves. It gives shelter, sustenance, and hope to their children, their friends, and the world they touch. Perhaps you think their story sounds like a delusion. But ask yourself, how many delusions produce things as beautiful and time tested as this?