And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone: I will make him a helper comparable to him. Genesis 2:18
I must say that as I get older every year I think life goes by faster and faster. I think deep down everybody wants somebody. I have spent the majority of my first 27 years in this life as a bachelor. Being a single man has it's advantages. I had my entire life set up in a daily routine. I loved it. No one to answer too but myself. I will say that when the lights would go out and there was no fun to be had or chores to do the walls seemingly closed in. I am very much a people person and love talk and get to know people but the nights alone and staring at the walls trying to sleep. I would be lonely. I truly believe that there is a man for every woman and a woman for every man and they are supposed to spend this life together until death do they part. I am a firm believer that God designed marriage to be between a woman and a man for a lifetime. I wanted that with someone. I searched for several years because I believed that God didn't mean for us as His Word says that we aren't meant to go through this life alone. Now for some they can but the majority of us don't have that calling. I knew in my heart from when I was a teenager I wanted a family of my own. At the young age of 16 a beautiful sweet little girl came into this world my niece. Holding that precious little angel for the first time changed my life. From that day on I wanted to be a dad someday. I didn't know when that day would come but I often prayed for the my future spouse and thought I might be staring at her a few times before but for some but for some reason it just never quite worked out. Now I know why.
Looking at my life since last October it has underwent rapid change and been turned upside down. I went from being the male bachelor to the old married man with a seven year old son. Needless to say it wasn't what I had planned. I started looking at myself and praying that God I am definitely not ready to be a husband or a dad. I didn't think I was mature enough or responsible enough to lead a family just because I doubted myself. Sure I can handle the pressure of being in a leadership role at work but it doesn't mean I am ready to be husband or especially a dad. The truth is no one is ready to be a dad but the odd thing is that's when God shows up.
I was visiting my parents and watching tv with them when I received a friend request followed by a Facebook message. The message was from someone claiming that she knew me from somewhere but couldn't place me. That person being Allison Whitlow. A 29 year old single mom with a seven year old son. I found out later she just saw me at church a few times and thought I was a tall drink of water and was looking for an angle to get my attention. Well me being me I continued the conversation just being my normal self. She hinted she wanted to go see the new Left Behind movie with Nicolas Cage. I was like well if you want to go I wouldn't mind taking you to it. I found out later that my Allie couldn't believe that it would be so easy to get me on a date. I figured that it would be one and done. I had no expectations and actually thought it would never go anywhere but at least it just might be fun. Well I must say it went surprisingly smooth. We one date turned into two, and then more followed. I remembered thinking in November that this is going to smooth and can't be right. I didn't see any red flags and her parents were really nice to me which hasn't always been the case. I was looking for a reason to run but something in me said stick it out. Well I came down sick and needless to my Allie was a good nurse. She took care of me. By the time December rolled around I started seeing the reasons why I should stay. It wasn't to get more Christmas presents I assure you.
I realized who and what I had. Allison Whitlow had/has one of the sweetest servant hearts that I have ever seen. It was the first time I found someone that I couldn't out do. Then I started thinking I might want to keep this one. Well I must say that I am glad I did. I went to Kay Jewelers after figuring/finding out what ring she would love. I was standing there in the store at the mall trying to make up my mind if I was sure. Well I said to myself this will be the final time I purchase a ring for the purpose of asking a woman for her hand in marriage. I purchased it and then asked her parents for permission. To hear her dad say to me that I was answer to prayer touched my heart. I have been a whole lot of things but that isn't one I hadn't heard before. I proposed on December 27, 2015 at the Mill Mountain Star I knew that I was going to have the privilege of being a husband and a dad. I must say that I didn't know how quickly my life would change.
We said I do on May 2, 2015. Allison Whitlow Mullins and Courtney Landon Whitlow became my wife and son. Looking back at life since October 2014 I must say that I wouldn't want to change a thing. I love being a dad and I thoroughly enjoy every minute with my son. I adore my wife. She is the sweetest blessing this side of heaven. What inspired this was hearing the song a sweet little girl named Grace sang at our wedding. The song was by Matthew West entitled, "When I Say I Do." Allison all I want to say to you is I can't thank you enough for loving me. I can't thank you enough for what you and Court have added to my life. You and our son are answers to my prayers and have added a whole new dimension and purpose and meaning to my life. I have no doubts that there is a God in heaven because without Him I never would have met you. I love you so very much my wonderful bride and not to mention our stinker butt.
To my in-laws Bob and Jane thank you for raising such a wonderful daughter and helping her with our son until I came into the picture. Thank you for the love and kindness you have shown me. I love you both mom and dad.
To anyone who might read this my prayer is that it isn't just a love story but it's how God answered the prayers of many to make a happy marriage and complete a home that was missing a daddy. I'm so thankful that I am that daddy. Lastly to those who haven't met the right one, just be patient. God is omniscient meaning He knows everything and He knows who the right person is and when you two will meet.
May God Richly Bless You
