The True Love Story

The Year was 1988 and I was in the 7th grade for the second time (bad girl). There was this young bull named Dana Garrison who looked like the OLD Michael Jackson (Jackson 5 Mike) who wanted to become my boyfriend (what ever that meant back then). Most everything I did in my child hood was not good, but this is the story. Even though I was so called in love with this other dude that wouldn't give me the time of day, I said Yeah to Dana being my boyfriend. So now Dana had this little buddy (best friend) named Delmar, who happened to be the blackest boy I'd ever seen.

He was the color of that real fat strong unbreakable plastic comb that you may have sometimes gotten hit with as a child.



He was short and had a fore head for days! Let's just say that in the 80's he wasn't what was happening. Light skin guys ruled then. I can remember him always being around in the two months Dana and I were so called together. After maybe a peck of a kiss we were done. We were so young and I was still scared of these touchy feely boys. I went to Delmar's house a few times looking for Dana and can remember playing and kidding around here and there, but Delmar was one of those dudes that you could just forget because he wasn't what you would call "THAT BULL" (popular) in my eyes.





He tells me of the stories of him coming over my house the following years, and how he knew both of my cousins that I lived and grew up with. Also, he remembers always seeing me at the neighborhood playground, but he must have been invisable to me because I just remembered him by our friend Dana. Any way, thats how we met!





GOD Had A Plan

The year was 2001, I was on my way home from Community College on

the Subway going southbound. It was late because I took night classes and I was beat.

I got on the train, and you know how everyone looks to see who's getting on the train,

well this man was looking. Ok, I took my seat, but dude was still looking. So, I thought to

myself "Yes, I'm a little beautiful but... Hello, why are you staring dude?" It was late so it made

me feel a little uncomfotable. This crazy looking dude with these big brown glasses, thick plaid

flannel jacket and scully hat was creeping me out! Then he said "Lisa" I looked up, and I looked,

and I looked, and then I was like "ooooooooooooooooohhhh!" I couldn't remember his name but

who could forget that face! It was Delmar Gore. I got up and sat beside him. He knew I didn't remember

his name and he told me, then asked what had I been up to. "Church, school, getting my life together,

you know walking with the Lord" I responded. Well our friendship hit it off from there because Delmar

was saved and seeking the Lords face as well. I told him he should visit my wonderful Church. He said

he was planning to visit there and that was just so funny how I'd invite him. We talked for a few, I told

him I hoped to see him at one of our Sunday services and rolled out (got off the train).



Delmar visited my Church but I had no idea he was there the first time. Then, as I walked to class one day shortly after his visit, I walked smack dead into him (not literally). He had a warm hello hug for me and he looked rather nice compared to how I first seen him on the subway (We laugh about that now). I asked when was he going to visit and he explained that he did and he seen me singing on the choir , blah blah, small talk. Then I gave him my freshly made business cards that advertised my new business ArtUnlimited. It had details about what I offered, my # and email address. I didn't know at that time that was the 1st way I'd win his heart, but it was. The fact that I was this go getter type woman made him want to get to know me even more. I loved the Lord with all my heart, I had a full time job, and went to College. These are his words that I've plucked out of my memory so that you can get the full picture. Phone conversations were all we had at that time because our lives were rather busy with so many other things, but we did talk, and talked and talked. Delmar's next visit to the church, how can I say was an eye opener. I sat close to the back so I'd see him come in and when he did... this man shook my soul. No, really. All I heard in my head was "THAT"S MY HUSBAND". Yes it was me saying that, but trust me I took it to my Daddy and waited for Him to say -NO- as always but He didn't. He said wait. Yet, Lisa never waits, and as long as He didn't say no, I was like, YEAH!!! Although I never said "Hey Delmar lets be more than friends" he picked up on alot of my vibes and one day after I read him this poem that I claimed had no date on it he blurts out "I'm not ready for a relationship" I was so offened, but who was i fooling? Dell was way too smart. So, I played it off like "Uhhhh, I never asked you for one" After some time pasted he'd be back with his daughter's mother again. Yeah God told me to wait, there was someone in my way...baby momma. So, I fell back on my feelings (or so I tried) and remained a true friend. You know the kind of friend that tells you you're with the wrong person (lol).

As our friendship grew, I persued another relationship (DAUH). Delmar was still seeing his daughters mother even though it didn't feel right, and I was just being impatient. We'd talk for long hours about our relationships with other people, about life and our past. We'd talk about everything. We became such great friends that he felt guilty talking to me while he was still seeing his daughters mother. And then, after about three months of getting reaquainted, he shut me off, cut me out, said gotta stop talking to you cause it ain't right. I was devistated.


I had just gotten out of a homeless shelter and I wanted him to come check out my new blessing, my new low income house. But he refused. Although we were only friends, my true feelings for Delmar were not hidden very well and he knew that I was falling for him. The scary part for him was that he was falling too. So, from May to July we were without conversation. Delmar says that not too long after we stopped talking he broke up with his daughter's mom which wasn't a hard thing to do seeing that she wasn't a Christian at the time (she is now). Delmar said all he kept hearing was God speaking to Him saying my name over and over. He said he kept going over all of our conversations in his head and all this lead him to pursue me. Now I knew "a man who finds a wife finds a good thing" but I wanted to do things in my time and not the Lords so I got my little feelings hurt. But what God had for me , was for me. I just needed to fall back (chill out) and be obedient. Now, here my future husband was calling me and asking when was he gonna see me.


How We Knew

Delmar and I had became such close friends. Talking and sharing, laughing and building. But what made us get along so well was both of our personal relationships with The Lord. We were in agreement on what was right in life and we had alot of the same goals. This made it easy to have long fun conversations. We were also both in what the world would call rock bottom situations because he was in a half way house and I was in a Christian homeless shelter. We both had other people telling us when and how we could go. But even though we were in those situations, we were inside of God's will. And although to others it may seem depressing, we accepted it as a blessing because we should have been dead.

I prayed and I prayed because the last thing I wanted was to be outside of God's will for my life. I had been in relationships that I chose for myself and been with guys that I loved , yet God would always tell me to leave. I had to listen to Him regardless of what I felt and wanted. It wasn't easy, it hurt to the point that I wanted to die at times. So, this time God was not saying no. It was a miracle. I was so unworthy of a blessing like this! So I fasted and prayed some more, just for conformation, the answer was still the same. "Yes, just take it slow and do things my way." Now, I won't lie to you, we were hard headed children and we fell into sin. We suffered for it, but we both got down on our knees in tears and prayed for forgiveness. That was awesome. We knew that we were meant to be because God told me that my husband would have this certain issue in his life and we'd connect in a way that no other could. When Dell and I connected in this major way, it grew Dell's faith 10 billion times and we were convinced. Confirmation was in full effect (our secret)! But God's total peace came over us both and we couldn't deny that we were madly in love with each other. We became best friends and we were so joyfully in our relationship, there was absolutely no doubt. I'm telling you no doubts and no maybe's, no what if's and what of's. We knew that we knew.