Three years
For three years, Ben has rescued me.
When I backed up the sink with potato peels the first week we moved into our house, he calmly took apart the sink of our brand new home to empty out bucket after bucket of potato peelings.
When I got lost trying to find someone to interview for work (which happened weekly), he would look up the location on the computer and talk me street by street to the location until I had calmed my hysterics.
And when I plugged up toilets, broke computers and fried my phone by shoving it in my sports bra while running, he always managed to fix it.
And I’ve done a lot more. Much more.
But Ben has been rescuing me long before we ever said “I do.”
The first week after we were dating, he confronted a “friend” of ours who was saying rude things about me and forced him to apologize to my face.
Then there was the time I got sick during finals and he rushed me to the hospital, sat there for six hours, forced his best friend John to sit with me so he could rush back across town to take a final and came back to take me home.
He even drove through the night from Shreveport to my home town Austin because a creepy guy had been stalking me and he didn’t want me to be alone.
But a few weeks before we got married, I knew for sure that Ben would always rescue me, no matter what came our way or whatever I got myself into.
And all it took was a tornado.
Most people living in Texas don’t worry that much about tornadoes. When you grow up in tornado ally, you get several warnings during the summer every year as long as you can remember. And when your parents are from Oklahoma, like mine are, tornadoes are to be taken seriously but not panicked about.
It was during finals our senior year. We were studying into the night, and I was about to call it quits and go back to my apartment. Then we heard the rain.
Being the overly cautious sort, Ben immediately flipped on the radar on the TV.
Being the duckie sort, I snarled at the window. “Can’t you see I want to go home to bed?”
And then the wind began. It began to howl, rattling the windows and whistling through the trees.
Ben had now moved from bouncing from the computer radar to the TV radar.
“I’m going home,” I announced. “I’m tired. I want to go to bed.”
Ben whirled around, his mouth gaping open. “You can’t go home!” he exclaimed. “We’re in the middle of a storm.”
I rolled my eyes. “Honey, this is Texas,” I reminded him. “It rains like hell here. There’s always a storm. It’ll be over in five minutes. I’ve got a final tomorrow. I’m not staying up all night.”
Ben shook his head, a determined scowl on his face. I scowled back. “Please stay here for awhile,” he said, returning to his post at the radar. “I don’t want you out in that.”
With a aggravated sigh, I flounced onto the bed and glared at the radar.
The wind grew louder, the howls nearly drowning out the television. The rain streaked across the sky in small bursts, like silver bullets racing through the air. Glancing out the window, I watched as the drops faded away.
“The rain stopped,” I announced, stacking up my books. “I’m going to bed.”
And then I heard the most horrible sound in the world.
It sounded like a ghoulish wail tearing through the air and piercing my eardrums. A sick terror filled my chest and I sank onto the bed.
“What is that?” Ben asked, his face horrified.
“Those are the sirens,” I said very quietly. “There’s a tornado coming.”
I’ll never forget the look on his face.
We immediately sprang into action. As the wind grew louder and the lights flickered, I rushed downstairs. To get into Ben’s apartment, you had to enter through a hallway downstairs and walk up to the living area. There was a single closet by the door that Ben used to keep his pantry in since there was little cabinet space in the kitchen. Shoving my laptop and cell phone on top of cans of green beans and soup, I started clearing out as many cans as I could. A bookshelf full of food was in the center of the small closet, with less than a foot of space on either side.
Then everything went black. The door began to rattle.
“Ben?” I yelled. I saw a bobbing yellow light rushing toward me.
“Come on!” he shouted, running down the stairs. “We’ve got to get in the pantry.”
“How?” I asked, turning to look at the tiny closet. “There’s not enough room.”
Ben’s face set into a grim smile. He pointed to the corner of the closet and said, “You go there.”
“Where are you going to go?” I asked, my voice barely audible over the wind. I knew that he couldn’t fit in the other corner–there was barely eight inches of space.
“Right here.” Ben swept the cans out of the doorway with his foot and squeezed himself into the front of the closet. He was an inch from the door.
“But honey,” I argued, “Your front door has a magnetic lock. The electricity is out. If the deadbolt breaks and the door burst open, you’ll get sucked out.”
“That won’t happen,” he said, taking my hand. “All that matters is you’re safe.”
It was all I could do not to burst into tears.
Staring at each other in the dim light of the flashlight, we shifted on the cold tile floor.
“So how are you doing?” Ben asked. I burst into laughter instead.
For what seemed like hours, we stayed in the closet as the wind raged outdoors. The lights flickered on and off as the nails shrieked in the roof, flinging against the concrete driveway with a metallic ring as the tiles strained. The garage door shuddered, shaking like a gigantic piece of aluminum foil.
And of course, I knocked over the cayenne pepper. Shoved up in my tiny corner, I simply couldn’t hold still.
“This is great,” Ben remarked, staring at the red powder covering his feet. “If the tornado doesn’t kill us, we’ll be blinded by the cayenne pepper blowing in our faces.”
I couldn’t help it. I giggled.
But a few hours later, the wind died down. The lights came on and the radar showed nothing but a blank sky. It was over. The tornado was gone.
In the sunshine the next morning, the town looked like it had been ravaged by an angry monster. Gas stations were twisted like pretzels and entire power lines had been blown to the ground. Trees were stripped of their branches, windows had been shattered and bikes protruded from car windshields among showers of glass.
The street right next to Ben’s apartment had literally been ripped apart by the tornado as it barreled down the road. We had been within yards of its angry winds, huddled in a closet standing in a puddle of cayenne pepper.
And I aced my final.
But that day, I knew something more important than making sure there was no cayenne pepper in a closet during a tornado and that radars shouldn’t be snarled at.
I knew that no matter what we got ourselves into, no matter what happened, that Ben would do his best to make sure we were safe. That he would sacrifice him own safety to protect me.
And them.
And he’s been rescuing me ever since.
Happy three year anniversary, darling. Thank you for saving me for six years.
I love you.
To read about our wedding at a barbecue restaurant, a snake for a guest and tiered apple pies, go here.
Don’t forget to check me out at Kristen’s Custom Creations! And check out her fabulous jewelry while you’re there! It’s amazing!
And just for the record, I adore Madeline L’Engle, Bruce Coville and Roald Dahl. Typo on my part!
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have a new recipe and Friday, a new Twirl! Then we have more whimsical fun on the way! Stay tuned!
May 27th, 2009 at 2:37 am
Aaaaaaaah lovely, our anniversary was on Monday. Happy Anniversary duckie and Ben, I hope you have a lifetime of happiness ahead of you. Hugs Jane x
May 27th, 2009 at 2:46 am
Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Happy Anniversary – so glad you found a prince to rescue you, how wonderful
May 27th, 2009 at 3:40 am
Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 3:47 am
so very lovely!!! happy anniversary…
May 27th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Awe……..:)
May 27th, 2009 at 4:14 am
Happy Anniversary! Ben, you are a true prince!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:15 am
yo made me cry! that is the most beautiful story I have ever read! I hope you have hundreds of years together!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Ciao ! I’ve a runny nose now ! I’m very happy for you two ! Happy Anniversary and keep taking care !!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:37 am
insert the most wistful, exaggerated, heartfelt “aw” here. what a story, and what a keeper you’ve found. happy anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:38 am
Such a wonderful story! Happy, Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:38 am
Happy Anniversary! What a great story!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:52 am
Aw, that is such a great story. Definitely the best anniversary post I’ve ever read.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:12 am
What a sweet story! I love that kind of stuff! Happy Anniversary! May you always appreciate and love one another!
May 27th, 2009 at 5:19 am
I love this story! Great post! Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 5:58 am
What a wonderful story. Happy Anniversary, Miranda and Ben.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:13 am
What a great tribute to your relationship! Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Happy Anniversary! What a great story! J and I went through a hurricane the night of our first date. Isn’t it great to have a good natural disaster story to tell about finding your soul mate?
May 27th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Happy Happy Anniverary- what an incredible man
xoox
kHm
May 27th, 2009 at 6:30 am
What a wonderful gallant man you have there… A Prince to write about.
Happy Anniversary, may you guys have many more.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:42 am
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO BOTH YOU. You are truly perfect couple. I can sense how much you guys love each other. Wish you both the happiest life forever!
May 27th, 2009 at 6:42 am
That was so beautiful and he does sound truly amazing! You are so lucky – well, both of you are lucky to have each other!!
Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Happy anniversary! Ben sounds like an amazing man.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:57 am
May you always be this happy and blessed. Love you.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Aww that is too sweet! Happy Anniversary!!! He sounds like a great guy
May 27th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Happy anniversary. What a great story. You have something wonderful to tell the grandchildren!
May 27th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Oh Blonde–that was beautiful!! I got happy chills
Thank you so much for sharing. Happy Anniversary to you and Ben.
May 27th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Happy Anniversary!
You’ve got a keeper.
My mom and my brother and I were in the barn when we saw a tornado coming straight towards us. It was really scary.
May 27th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Aww, such cute stories – Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Cool Post, Thanks.
May 27th, 2009 at 8:40 am
I wish you both a very Happy Anniversary!
That tornado looks very scary to me coming from over the pond and not used to this.
May 27th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Happy Anniversary!! What a wonderful and scary story. You have a great guy there!
May 27th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Happy Anniversary you two! What a wonderful and scary experience. What does not kill us indeed makes us stronger. Hugs to you both! Can’t wait to hear how you celebrate.
May 27th, 2009 at 9:10 am
That was so sweet and beautiful. I had tears in my eyes by the time I got to the end. You are a lucky woman
May you have many more happy years to come!
May 27th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Happy Anniversary my friend. What a wonderful story, I read the whole thing out loud to A.J. and showed him the snake picture and told him about you and pies.
Really, Miranda, that was an awesome story and you certianly have your knight in shining armor!
May 27th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Happy anniversary!
It sounds like tornadoes are to Texans as earthquakes are to Californians; something you completely take for granted as no big thing until it happens to you. Natural disasters aside, what a nice tribute to your man & your marriage.
May 27th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Ben sounds like an incredible man and husband — what a blessing that you two found each other! Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 9:57 am
happy anniversary! what cute stories!
May 27th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Everyone adores woodland creatures.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I love love love that story. Even better because it is true!!
I’m wearing one of kristen’s necklaces right now! small world…
May 27th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Happy anniversary! What a wonderful story. That’s very sweet. I hope you have a great day!
May 27th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Aw, congratulations on 3 years! I hope you all get to celebrate!! How sweet. We’ll be celebrating our anniversary in a few weeks and have nothing planned… Oh well!
Have a great day my dear!
May 27th, 2009 at 11:16 am
This was such a great story…cayenne pepper and all! I love a romantic comedy…Happy Anniversary to you and your prince.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Happy Anniversary…………I’m so glad he rescues you. What a great tribute.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:35 am
He sounds a lot like a fellow named Rogue. Happy anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
You two are so cute together, awww…
May 27th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Aw! Happy Anniversary!
From a fellow SITSter!
May 27th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I feel weepy! I hope I find my Ben someday! And Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Oh my gosh! Your wedding pics here are awesome! I wanna see more!!!!
Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Happy Anniversary! I love the tornado story!
May 27th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I have a rescuing husband too, and am from TExas so I LOVED this story!
Happy anniversary girlie!
May 27th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
How sweet! Happy Anniversary to you! BTW, your pups are adorable! Look at those faces!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
May 27th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Happy Anniversary. Loved your post!
May 27th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I’m really glad Ben was able to keep you there at his place. Its not easy to keep Miranda up when she is tired.
May 27th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Happy Anniversary! Ben is such a hero-awww. I suspect some of your storybook heroes are based on him no?
May 27th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Aww…that’s so sweet. Happy Anniversary to you!
Thanks for stopping by my blog too…I’ve been seeing you around! I’ll check back in too!
May 27th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Happy Anniversary Duckie! What a cute story!! You two are the cutest couple – I’m so glad you found each other!
XOXO
Jen
May 27th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
ben is a total keeper! what a sweet post! you guys were married only a few weeks before nick and me – we celebrate our anniversary on the 18th of june!
hope you had a wonderful one, filled with happiness!!!!!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Every fair maiden needs a handsome prince!
Happy anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
That is the sweetest and scariest story all in one!
I’m so glad you found each other.
~Happy Anniversary!~
May 27th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Aww, Happy Anniversary! I love your beautiful story..=)
May 27th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Happy Anniversary! You snatched one of the good ones as did I. We are lucky! Thanks for stopping in today. Hope you liked our piggy! Love your site – so cute!
May 27th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Happy Happy Anniversary and many more. You are both blessed to have each other!
May 27th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
What a sweet, sweet story. I love your heart! I’m sorry I’ve been absent, I left a post on my blog explaining everything.
May 27th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Happy anniversary! You two make a cute couple
May 27th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
That is the sweetest post! (Minus the actual tornado.)
Happy Anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
What a beautiful post! Happy anniversary!
May 27th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful tale.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
You are one lucky gal to find a man like that!
Happy Anniversary.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
So sweet! What a great story to tell the pups. I love the eyes on them, so big and full of understanding.
May 27th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Happy Anniversary! Ben is really amazing! I like all the pictures of the post and the photos of the tornado are wonderful and funny too!
May 27th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, DUCKIE!!! LOVE THE PHOTOS!!!
May 27th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Happy Anniversary!! Ben sounds wonderful and romantic! I’ll bet you “rescue him right back.”
May 27th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Oh Duckie, I am late getting to this.
I hope that you had a wonderful anniversary with your Prince. I hope you danced, and snuggled and wispered sweet nothings into each others ears . . . and I hope you had PIE! with gravy . . . I love you guys. Here’s to a bazillion more Happy Anniversaries! XXOO
May 28th, 2009 at 3:03 am
Oh this is one of your sweetest posts yet
Your hubby is one lucky guy!
May 28th, 2009 at 3:45 am
Happy anniversary Duckie and Ben! He is a rare find – and so are you – a perfect match!
May 28th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Happy anniversary! This is the sweetest post I have ever read, I am so happy you two found each other!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:01 am
Your marital relationship is so sweet! I love it! Isn’t it wonderful to be married to the best friend you could ever have?!!!
I tried adding you to my blog roll again. Hopefully this time it will take. Sorry it has taken me so long to do this! You have a wonderful blog! I hope you have a great day!
May 28th, 2009 at 7:52 am
That is so sweet. I was tearing up as I was reading it.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Happy three year anniversary!! How exciting!! You and your hubby sound like such a fabulous couple, and I absolutely loved reading about the number of ways in which he’s rescued you. Nothing like a good tornado to bring out some romantic feelings
May 28th, 2009 at 11:33 am
What a great post! Sounds like God gave you a very special husband…Happy Anniversary!
In answer to your question over at my blog…YES, I am now reviewing books. It is through WaterBrook Multnomah (part of Random House). If you are at all interested in doing the same I can forward you one of the emails I’ve gotten because they put a link at the end asking if you have friends that are interested in reviewing and blogging.
May 28th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
That was so sweet! Congrats to you two
May 28th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Happy Anniversary!! Great story!! And I love the photos!!
May 28th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Oh my gosh, what a lovely, lovely love story. I’m in awe. You two are truly soul mates. That’s a common phrase, but it doesn’t apply to that many people. It certainly applies to you and your guy. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tribute to the beauty of true love. Happy Anniversary! I hope you had pie to celebrate!
May 28th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Happy anniversary! What a sweet story- you made me all teary eyed.
May 28th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
awe what a great relationship! Good for you!
May 29th, 2009 at 6:55 am
That’s way too sweet of a story! You’re an awesome writer, as usual and you have an awesome hubby! Happy Anniversary to you guys!!
May 29th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Your story totally warmed my heart. I have been through a tornado before and it’s scarier than hell.
May 30th, 2009 at 8:29 am
That is an amazing story! Happy Anniversary!
May 30th, 2009 at 10:56 am
This is just beautiful. Doesn’t it feel good to be loved well by an amazing man?? Yours sounds like a wonderful guy!
June 1st, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Lovely.
You have a precious groom!
Happy Anniversary!
June 1st, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Absolutely beautiful!!! Happy belated Anniversary! This made me cry! I love you and your sweet Prince Charming!
June 1st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I love reading your storys. Sounds like you got a good one with that hubby of yours. Course he did pretty well in the transaction! Happy Anniversary!
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
This is just adorable! Being rescued is a beautiful thing! So sweet
Thanks for sharing!