God's Prom

     While cleaning out drawers, my husband found an old wallet sized photo of myself and a prom date.  I am still stunned he found it.  The 5x7 was lost a long time ago.  I had mourned the loss of the picture and never thought there might be a wallet sized picture floating around. 
     I was so happy I could hardly look at it.  He had been a really good friend my senior year in high school.  He died about fifteen years ago in a car accident.  The first good friend from school to pass away, I remember being beyond shocked.  Grieving for him only got worse as time went on.  That was also the beginning of a year when I lost  many people I loved. 
     I prayed for a miracle.  I'm a little embarrassed to say I prayed for Jesus to raise him, like He had Lazarus.  I bargained with God.  He'd certainly gain a lot of believers with a modern day miracle like that one.  God had other plans, though. 
     People say once you get to Heaven, why would you want to come back?  I'm sure they are right. 
     Even though I hadn't seen him for several years, I missed him.  I thought a lot about high school.  We had so much fun that year.  We got into a bunch of trouble for talking across the room to each other.  And, talking in the library.  And, just talking.
     He became one of the few people who stood up for me.  I was tall, awkward, and chubby.  Some of you who know me now realize not much has changed.  Incredibly self conscious, having a real friend who didn't bully but supported me meant everything.  Everything.
     He asked me to prom his senior year.  Surprised, I came home from college.  We had a great time.  Whether he thought of me as more than a friend or not, I have no idea.  He would have been a great husband and father.  He was a great friend. 
     I didn't realize until I started typing this that the anniversary of his death just passed this month.  I pray for his family.  They were so close.  I think about those "deals" I made with God fifteen years ago.  I accept He has his plans.  I'm thankful He enabled me to be included for a short time in them with an awesome man I was blessed to have as a loyal friend.