10 Years Gone by so Quick

So anyone who is a breathing, thinking, and alive knows, today is 9/11. I can't believe that it's almost 1 year that Matt and I have lived abroad but what I can't believe even more is that it's been 10 years since the attacks on our beloved country. It's so crazy to think that a whole 10 years has flown by-and what has happened in that time. Everyone always shares their "what were you doing" story on days like today and as most of you know me I won't go there. All I can say is that I just think over and over again how different my life could have been had certain events happened to our family.
My dad was supposed to be in the Pentagon that morning, in the spot where the plane crashed. The exact spot. But thankfully the good Lord spared his life and pushed the meeting to the afternoon. So dad did not go up to DC that fateful day. But what if he had? What if he had been in the building. He would have died. And my life would have been so much more heartbreaking. Would I have still gone to my beloved college? Probably not? I would not have been able to leave my mom alone. That means I wouldn't have met most of my closet friends-I wouldn't know what I was missing out on but I know I wouldn't be who I am now. Would Matt and I still have gotten married? Possibly. But the dynamic of our relationship would be so different. I might not have gone to college and he would've still gone to Tech and I would have been bitter at his experiences. My relationship with Christ would have been terribly different than it is now-I believe with all my heart that I wouldn't have blamed Christ for losing my dad but I know the growth I would've had would be different. Instead of going to CO and going to my church and growing as I did, it might have been more reserved. I might have been a terribly broken person. I know for sure that my relationship with my dad wasn't where I wanted it when 9/11 hit. I would've never had the close friendship, love, and respect I have with dad now. Some joke that I'm even a "daddy's girl" which in times like this, I'm ok with. At least I still have him. I would've been so terribly heartbroken to have to walk down the aisle alone instead of having dad lead me which is something that I will cherish all my life. So many "what ifs", "would have beens" and "maybes."
But praise the Lord I haven't had to live the last 10 years without one of the most important men of my life. It really is by a miracle from Christ that dad didn't drive up to the Pentagon and die that day. I really think Jesus looks out for me and my happiness because he spared my dad that day. And he protected Matt during the VT shootings. I can't imagine my life without either of them-they continually challenge, shape, and love me into someone who I want to be, who I should be.

Dad and I in Hawaii July 2010.