A Love Story by Cheryl Money Cash

Once Upon a Time

--I met a guy who was crazy passionate about living in Africa

--I found this mildly intriguing in an amusing sort of way

--when he asked for my number, I gave him the wrong one

--I did not hear from him for the rest of the year

Twice Upon a Time

--I saw the Africa guy from a distance and waved

--I dated other guys

--I wrote about the Africa guy in my journal

--one entry read: “Pray for Jeff Cash—money situation”

Twice Upon a Time Squared

--I traveled the West Coast over Christmas break and had the name “Jeff Cash” said to me (with glowing description to follow) on four different occasions in four different cities

--the last occurrence was in the home of his first cousin (hey Barb!) who showed me family pictures and said Jeff’s mom (hey Phyllis!) wanted to send a care package back to Texas with us if I would take it

Once Upon a Time

--it snowed and I didn’t meet Jeff’s Mom because she was ‘stuck on their mountain’

--I pondered what kind of life these interesting Northwesterners lived that they could actually employ the phrases, “I couldn’t make it. I was stuck on my mountain.”

--I wondered if I would ever hear from Jeff Cash again so I could tell him that I met his cousin

Thrice Upon a Time (or so)

--Jeff ventured to the University I attended to try and locate me

--I prayed for this Africa guy whose name would not leave my head (I figured it was the ‘Cash’ name that resonated)

--I thought about Africa and missions, intrigued and terrified

Once Upon a Time

--I happened to be at my apartment in the middle of the day

--at the exact same moment across town, Jeff ran into a mutual friend of ours who dialed my correct phone number so Jeff could leave me a message

--I answered the phone

--Jeff offered to show me pictures of Africa and tell me about his time there

Once Upon a Time

--we met and talked for hours

--he worked hard to recruit me to join an Africa team

--his ‘recruiting’ may have eventually involved roses, teddy bears and some kissing

--he was one heck of a recruiter

Once Upon a Time

--I got married and moved to Africa

And we lived….

Diligently. Laboriously. Passionately. Lovingly. Strenuously. Blessedly. Uncomfortably. Peacefully. Combatant-ly.  Hilariously. Adoringly. Thankfully.

Happily Ever After.