Tuesday, March 13, 2012

I Met Deb in a Chatroom

The first time I had a conversation with Deb was in a chat room that she set up. She'd mentioned the chat room in a forum that I'd been reading.

There were only a few people in that chat room when I dropped in that evening. I joined in and chatted away. I guess I chatted about an hour, and did my best to impress the host, Debbicute, with my wit.

That was the start of our friendship. We got to know each other and like each other and we even started talking on  the phone. Then she came all the way from the San Francisco area to the Boston area to visit me for the first time. She came for a second visit the next year. And again to visit the following year which is when I asked her to marry me.

Deb is in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, and I'm in a wheelchair due to polio. We got married in August of 2002. Since then we've been very happily married and enjoyed being active in a Baptist church in the next town over from where we live. We love doing day trips to explore the historic sites in and around Boston.

Our life entered a new stage as of yesterday, when I was diagnosed with a serious medical condition that is complicated by the disability caused by the polio.

Deb and I are still very much in love. I still want to do everything I can for her, and that's why I started this blog. If you want to read about us, our lives, and our love story, I hope you'll come back to read the posts will make.

15 comments:

  1. Very sweet :) You are both blessed to have found each other.

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    1. I had prayed to meet a Christian gal somewhere in the Boston area so we could meet and get to know one another, and be a blessing to one another. God knew the one who was right for me was living a bit outside the Boston area...near San Francisco! But we did get to know one another online, on the phone, and during 3 in-person visits prior to our getting married in 2002. We've continued to grow in our love for one another ever since our first online chat.

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  2. Thank you Susan. We'd appreciate your prayers as I go through numerous tests and procedures in the coming days to determine what course of action should be taken.

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  3. A very sweet story indeed. It is wonderful and inspiring to see two married people express such love for one another. You two should write a manual for young married couples!

    It seems that many people will be praying for you :) If you need anything, I am sure that some of your online friends could help. I hope that you guys have a strong support network out in Boston.

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    1. I thank God that we're in a good church with two good pastors who are keeping in touch with us. One of the men from church drove me to Chelsea for my cat scan yesterday. Having friends at a time like this sure helps.

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  4. I think it's wonderful how the internet brought you two together!

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    1. I had prayed to find a Christian lady in the greater Boston area, thinking that would be best way to spend time together and get to know each other. But online and on the phone and during her visits to Boston we got to know each others and also each church friends and pastors. So when I asked her to marry me she was quite ready to for to ask that question.

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  5. John,

    I am a romantic at heart and love your story of how you two came together. I love that I found your wife's blog and now yours.

    May you know that we are praying here in New Mexico.

    Jennifer

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  6. Thank you so much for your prayers. God wants us to pray for one another, and Deb and I are certainly in need of those prayers. May God bless you mightily.

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  7. I love that my readers can now see for themselves what a precious man I've married!

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  8. DebbiLynne - i will be checking out your blog once i have finished here. John, please know that both you and your precious wife are in our prayers. i have the incredible fortune of being with my precious man for 11 years now, so i know how you both feel. we will pray from Canada for you both!

    your new friend,
    kymber

    (Jennifer/Humble wife sent me)

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    1. DebbieLynne and I loved each very much when we first got married almost 10 years ago. We had no idea that our love would continue to grow, but it certainly has, and is stronger now than it has ever been. Thank you for your prayers.

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  9. Hello John, I visited Debs site and am very impressed with the both of you are your thankful hearts.. What an inspiration to all of us you are.. John, doctors and medical science does not know everything, only God does. I am a retired registered nurse and I am also a believer in miracles. Gods Will is not always our will or our understanding. Last year, after three years of heart problems I asked my church for the laying on of hands, and prayer for the sick. Everyone there, first prayed and asked God for forgiveness of their sins. Following that, they prayed for me. Well, my cardiologist was astounded (his words) as I now have a new heart, fresh like a baby's.Blessings Crystal Mary Lindsey

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    1. Thank you for you comment. God can do miraculous things, and He can be glorified in healing. Our two pastors and some of our elders were here the other day to talk with us and pray for us, and there will likely be other times here or at church for prayer. God makes it possible for medical people to do some things but He alone can do what mortal men and women cannot do. I am so happy what He did for you in answer to the prayers of His people in your church.

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  10. Hello John. I'm one of DebbieLynne's readers, in fact I was there just now and saw the link to here. So delighted to have found your blog. You are both amazing!

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