April 22, 2010

• How Hutch5 All Began…

  I’ll never forget 19 years ago as I was about to leave on 5-wk. seminar trip with the homeschooling organization I worked for, and not exactly wanting to go. My mom said to me what I guess all good moms say to their teenage daughters when they’re trying to encourage them… “Who knows? Maybe you’ll meet your future husband on this trip!” : )

  And though I never actually met him, he saw me. There sitting in the back row at one of the seminars- bronze tan from a summer on the lake, long shaggy blonde hair hanging on his collar, slouched down in his seat, arms folded…  graduated from high school and not very happy about his parents suddenly up and deciding to homeschool him and his three brothers. He is what we in our group would have called a, “encouragement case.” Certainly not fitting the stereotype typical homeschooler.  I’ve teased and told him had I seen him, I’m sure I would have wanted to offer him some “encouragement.”

  But it wouldn’t be for another 2 years that we would officially meet. The blonde hair now cut, a blue suit now covering the tan, the rebel attitude gone. But still… I could see immediately this guy wasn’t like all the others. He was sincere, straightforward, lived outside the mold, and had a quiet strength and mystery about him. Not obnoxious and arrogant like most the guys I knew. I found myself really fascinated by this “different” Canadian.

  Now… 15 years later. I’m still fascinated.

  I feel like there are so many things I could say about Shayne. I like talking about him. But the one that comes to mind ahead of the others is his depth of character! There is such a genuine sincerity about him, a contentment and calming kind of factor. Sometimes I look at him and say, “how do you do it? man, I wish I were more like you!” He is the easiest person in the world to be around and I know were we not married, we’d be the best of friends! I absolutely love conversation with him – no one makes more sense of things to me than him. He is so good at putting things in their right perspective – there’s true wisdom in him. {“the wisdom that is from above is pure. peaceable. easy to understand. full of mercy…” James 3}.

  I look back and sometimes cringe at some of the guys I almost ended up with! The mistake I could have made. And there’s no doubt in my mind that God sent Shayne at the exact moment into my life when I truly needed him. My dad used to say, “Whoever marries Amber will need to know how to be gentle, yet keep a tight rein!” Shayne does that well. And no one has had more spiritual influence and impact, and showed me more of what the heart of God looks like than this man.

  
  
  
  
  
  
                
                
     
  Happy Birthday to the one who puts the Hutch in Hutch5. : )

  The other 4 of us are so glad we have you!!!

   

  LovE.LoVe.LOve.

  amber. kate. ben. & emma.

  “Great is His steadfast love towards us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.” Ps. 117:2
  

  • 3:20 pm
  • 40 Comments