A close friend of mine, Debra, and I were having lunch last Monday when she asked me how I knew that Mike was the one I should marry.  I found the question quite interesting and one I had not really pondered, however, the answer came quite easily.  Debra and I have known each other for about eight years.  We met in the singles class of our church. This was also where I met Michael.

I was a “Greeter” in the class.  This meant that I said “hello” to each person as they came into the room, but especially to visiting newcomers.  I tried to make everyone feel comfortable by offering coffee and introducing them to others.  Another pleasure of that job was to invite them to lunch after church, as a guest of the class.  That particular Sunday morning, as I was speaking to a visitor, Mike walked in.  I saw him out of the corner of my eye and then saw no one else.  I was immediately smitten.

After class, doing my duty, I invited Mike to join us at a local restaurant.  We drove in separate cars, but arrived at the same time.  Another friend had her grandson that day.  The baby was only a few months old and still in the carrier.  I watched as Mike hurried from his truck, opened the car door, reached for the carrier, baby and baby bag and still held the restaurant door for the ladies.  I thought, “This is my kind of man!”  (I later found out that as I opened the car door in the parking lot and spit on the drive that he thought, “This is my kind of woman!”)

I came home that day and told my sister that I met someone I really liked.  I had been single for twenty five years and had no desire to marry.  My family and friends were sufficient and I was quite happy.  Marriage was something I never thought of…until Michael.

He was kind, handsome, and intelligent, with a great sense of humour.  He made me feel loved and safe.  Over the years the number one thing that has made me love him more is his kindness to my family.  Mike supports me unquestioningly in anything I do.  After being a single mother to three children and then alone for so many years, the fact that I have not even seen a bill since we married is HUGE!!!  To no longer be concerned with any need in my life is like taking a deep, long sigh.  Bottom line, not only do I love Mike I appreciate him.

Then I told my friend the most important way to know if someone is “the one”…prayer.  I spent hours in prayer and searching the Bible for answers.  When I married Mike, I knew he was the one I was supposed to marry.  It has not always been easy, marriage never is, but today I am so grateful for Michael and our relationship.

Mike constantly talks of how he sacrifices himself to test all of my recipes.  I am including one of his favourites.  I make several different potato cakes.  This one is fast, easy and uses those pesky leftovers!

Potato Cakes

Ingredients

2 cups mashed potatoes

1 egg (beaten)

½ onion (grated)

¼ cup flour

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup Panko bread crumbs

Canola oil for frying

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Pour oil in skillet to ½ inch depth. Heat over medium high.  Mix all ingredients from potatoes to salt and pepper. If mixture is not holding together, add a bit more flour. Form potato mixture into 2” balls.  Dip into bread crumbs, covering thoroughly.  Flatten as you place in skillet.  Fry until golden brown on both sides.  Remove and drain on paper towel.