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Dear Paul,
I would like to share with you how my wife
and I met. This is truly "The Girl
Next Door" story.
In the year 1964 there was a lady who moved
next door (two houses away) to our family.
She was newly married and in my eyes was
the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
I was 13 yrs. old and she was 18 yrs. old.
My older sister always was a believer in
making friends with neighbors and she and
I went over to see if we could help with
anything.
As a young boy of 13yrs. old and puberty
setting in this beautiful woman had no idea
the thoughts running through my mind. We
became close friend and I would save my
lunch money to buy her treats on the way
home from school. We were together listening
to Everly Brother records and she even taught
me how to two-step for my school dance.
I had told a friend of mine that I was
in love with Joyce and he thought that was
silly. No one could be in love at 13 yrs.
old. He said that I was not in love with
her but that I lusted her. I said what is
that? He said that is between like and love.
My mother had asked me a few days later
why I spent so much time with Joyce and
I told her I lusted her. Her reaction was
a startling one, she said "YOU WHAT"?
Then I proceeded to tell her what my friend
Rick had said. She explained to me the difference.
Joyce moved away after about 1 year and
we kept in touch (still as friends) for
a while and then we stopped communicating.
Twelve years later we were both going through
a divorce, my first marriage lasted 5 years,
she divorced me when I became a Believer
in Jesus Christ. Joyce was in an abusive
marriage and had 4 children by then. My
older sister had met her at a school function
and set up a dinner date for us to meet
again. I had always thought of Joyce as
my first true love even though we were not
romantically involved in the past.
We got together for our dinner date at
my sister's and we were married April 8,
1977 (Good Friday). She became a Believer
in the Lord Jesus Christ before we were
married and our life for the past 26 years
has been one that has let the Lord be the
head of our marriage. The four children
I raised as my own and they call me dad
and love me as if I was the only father
they have known.
The Paul Overstreet songs have really blessed
us and we have all but one CD
or Cassette. Your songs, ever since I heard
the first one in the 1980's, have been a
part of our marriage too. We recently went
to the "I STILL DO" conference
in Kansas City Mo. and you were the special
music which was the real reason my wife
and I went. Our marriage is strong and thank
the Lord he has given us 26 years together.
To me, my wife is the most precious gift
the Lord has given me besides His forgiveness
from the penalty of sin.
Thank Paul for your music.
Sincerely in Christ
Albert
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