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It’s story time.
You might want to grab a cupcake…or two.
Would you like to know how my hubby became
the cheese to my cake?
It’s kind of long, so I totally understand if you want to skip to the recipe.
14 years ago today (tonight) I married my best friend!
We had been dating for 10 months when he asked me to marry him, and
5 months later on May 23rd we tied the knot!
But before that…
It was fall semester of my junior year at Pensacola Christian College. The dorm that I was in had two rooms connected with a bathroom that we shared. I became really good friends with one of the girls next door (Grace). One of the things we were able to do on Saturdays was to attend various service projects. Grace was in charge of a girls project that went to an elderly folks home. There the students would play different card games for a few hours with them. One Saturday morning I decided to join Grace’s group. I met the group downstairs and was assigned a car to ride in. I remember seeing the driver and thinking what a cutie. As luck would have it, I even was able to ride in the front seat. I learned his name was Jeremy and that he was from Indiana. The whole way there we talked and had fun. Ok, maybe even flirted some. All morning I watched him interact with the old folks and thought what a great guy he seemed like! But the reality of it, was he had a girlfriend in Texas and I was “interested” in another guy from our class. We returned to campus and that was it. I really don’t remember seeing him much after that.
Christmas break came, and we were home for 5 weeks. During this time the guy that I had been “really good friends” with came to the realization that we weren’t meant to be. We truly were only friends. I was devastated because I really thought it could go somewhere. But God had other bigger and better plans for me. After three days of feeling sorry for myself, I finally decided that I just needed a break from boys. They just end up breaking your heart anyway, right? My suitemate Grace invited me to join her and her group of friends for dinner or church or something like that. I really don’t remember what we did first. She was dating a guy named Troy. Guess who Troy’s best friend from his home back in Indiana was? You got it. The cute driver that I had met months ago. We both hit it off again and started talking. Talking led to us to start meeting for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our “dates” all consisted of church and food.
Let me explain a few things about the college before going on. It is a very conservative Christian college and they have extreme rules. Rules such as no hand holding or touching, period. If you were sitting next to each other, there needed to be a certain amount of distance. Honestly, in a few of these pics…we are too close. Guys and girls couldn’t even hold the same hymn book in church. Extreme, yes. I was paying for my own schooling and the price to go to this school (very near a beach) was super affordable. Beach and cheap. Not a hard decision to make. Plus, it was a beautiful campus with a great Bible-based education. I knew all the rules going in to the school and was ok with it. I knew that I wasn’t going to be so extreme when I graduated, but I was comfortable obeying them while I was there.
We dated for a few months before “going steady”. About halfway through the semester, Grace and her sister decided they wanted to visit their grandma in Daytona Beach. I also had an aunt and uncle that lived near there. The rule is that you can leave for the weekend, ONLY if you have relatives that you are staying with. We got our parents permission and turned in all the necessary paperwork. Now the catch was the boys were going with us. Troy had some relatives a few hours from Daytona, I think, but my guy had no one. Soooo, he dialed direct assistance and found someone with the same last name as him, changed the number slightly, and turned in his pass. He was the one with the car, after all. We left for the weekend of fun knowing that if we were found out it was the end of our college career there. They don’t take disobedience very lightly. Why we even did this? I don’t know. It seemed like a good idea at the time…we really thought no one would ever know. Our passes were almost all legit. We spent the entire weekend in Daytona at the beach. The girls stayed at Grandma’s house, and the boys had a hotel on the beach. During the day we met up and played at the beach and had dinner together. We got back Sunday night, and everything seemed fine.
Until Wednesday morning…I was in class when someone knocked on the door. The teacher opened it and in walked the Dean of Women. For some reason my heart dropped to the floor. And when she called me forward, I wasn’t surprised. I gathered my things and followed her back to her office. I don’t think my heart has ever pounded so hard before. How they found out…we have no idea. And how they knew to call me in first…I don’t know. I can’t lie worth crap and I bawl at the slightest thing. I was a wreck. So the minute she started questioning me, I broke down and spilled my guts in between sobs. My reasoning was if we were honest, maybe they would have grace and not kick us out of school. One by one everyone that went on the weekend trip was brought in to the offices and questioned. The school had a very strict policy that we violated and it didn’t matter that we were honest. The next day we were asked to leave the school. It was a hard day! Partly because the school has other rules about not talking to anyone at all before you leave. Basically you just disappear from the school and no one knows what happened.
I am thankful that God was working in the situation. I knew that I deserved my punishment for breaking the rules. Do I wish they had shown some grace and tried to restore us? Yes, but that wasn’t God’s plan. He wanted to teach us a lesson in humility and obedience. It has been a hard story to tell over the years, but it gets easier each time. Plus, we are able to see the humor in all of it now. Am I proud to say I got kicked out of college? Yes and No! No, because I broke the rules and had to pay the consequences and that is very humbling. Yes, because funny as it is…it is kind of an honor to be kicked out of that particular school. (I do mean honor very lightly:-)
We left the school not knowing what the other one was thinking. I couldn’t imagine what my parents were thinking either. Grace was able to pass my phone number on to Jeremy and he called me a few days later. Through the next few months we kept in touch, mostly through the phone and mail. He was in Indiana and I was in Pennsylvania, so we had a few opportunities to visit each other, too. We stayed together as a couple through all of it. That Fall I moved to Indiana and got a job, so we could be closer. We were engaged in December and then married in May.
14 years down and forever to go. I love him so much and will do anything or go anywhere for him! I am so thankful that God had big plans for us, even when we decided to break rules and go outside that plan.
I love you babe!!!
If you made it through all that, you really do deserve a dozen cupcakes:-)
How about the recipe to the one
I tempted you with during the story?
It’s a good one. Very story worthy!!!
Raspberry Cheesecake Chocolate Cupcakes
by Inside BruCrew Life
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 24 raspberry m&m’s (reserve for last)
- 1/2 c. chocolate chips, melted (for topping)
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 c. sour cream
- 1/4 c. milk
- 1/2 package dry cheesecake pudding mix
- 1 c. cool whip
For the Raspberry Butter Cream
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1/2 c. shortening
- 3-4 Tbsp. raspberries, smashed (keep juice with it)
- 4 c. powdered sugar
- 1/8 tsp. salt
Instructions
For the Chocolate Cake
Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the back of the box. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake at 350* for 18 minutes or until top springs back. Let cool completely. Using a melon scoop or cupcake corer, cut the center out of the cupcakes. Fill with cheesecake filling and top with raspberry butter cream. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Keep refrigerated. Top with m&m’s right before serving.Makes 24.
For the Cheesecake Filling
In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sour cream on low until creamy. Add the milk and pudding mix and beat until mixed. Fold in the cool whip.
For the Raspberry Butter Cream
In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and shortening. Add the smashed raspberries and salt and beat again. Slowly add the powdered sugar until all is incorporated. Beat the frosting until fluffy.
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Shared with: Sweet Party, Link it Up, Show & Share, Share the Wealth, Whimsy Wednesday, Whatever Goes
Thank you so much for reading my blog. If you liked this post, please leave a comment. Comments are a great way for me to see what is a blog hit or miss:-)
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Jocelyn is the baker, photographer, and writer behind Inside BruCrew Life. She is married to her best friend, and they have three great kids. She spends her days baking sweet treats, and then trying to find ways to give the treats away without eating them all. Grab a cup of coffee and visit while she shares life from their kitchen.
Oooh–So cute! I mean those cupcakes look amazing, but I love that trip down memory lane! Thanks for sharing!
Nat
doodlecraft.blogspot
Love your story. You are such a rebel
As for the cupcakes…want to know what I did with the raspberry m&m’s you sent me? I made a chocolate cake with a raspberry buttercream, and decorated the cake with the m&m’s. Man, if my post was ready to go I would totally be putting it up this minute!!!
I love that we have SO SO SO much in common, but I love that you are more of a rebel than me, hehe!!
That’s a great story! I briefly considered going to Pensacola Christian….but I wasn’t crazy about all those rules (especially the dress code!) and I got a full scholarship to the University of Ark. near home so I could live with my parents and not spend any $$. If I had gone to PCC, we probably would have met….I was in college from ’95-’99.
Those cupcakes sound fabulous….my husband’s favorite combo is raspberry and chocolate. Add cheesecake in there and he’d be in heaven!
I’ve heard stories about that school!!!! Different sidewalks for guys & girls. Is it true? I think this story is kinda bad-A. I’d be a little proud, I mean….
Happy Anniversary!!! You have a great story to tell! I haven’t seen these M & M”s!!!! What a gorgeous looking cupcake, I love the raspberry and chocolate combo!! Yum!
I love all the old pictures that you put up. I’m glad it all worked out in the end! Happy Anniversary. Plus, the cupcakes look amazing.
What a great story, and I love those pictures. I can’t believe they kicked you out. But it all worked out in the end and that’s what matters. Happy Anniversary!!! 14 years…wow.
Oh my goodness, Jocelyn! What a story! I would not have pegged you to be that much of a troublemaker.
I’m so glad it all worked out for you two in the end! Pinning these delicious looking cupcakes. 
Both the cupcakes and your story are adorable!!!
I love your story! How romantic and rebellious but truly adorable. I can’t believe PCC was so strict! Yikes… but hey, at least you have this wonderful story to tell which I’d be proud of. You gained a hubby and in that, really SO much more than “just a husband” but a best friend, life partner, etc., as well as three kick-butt kids which I think vastly outweigh being kicked outta college. Sure, I bet the wounds were fresh at first, but in retrospect this is one of those stories I can imagine you guys telling everyone once you get older, or telling your kids on the back porch with some of these cupcakes! I love the pictures, too
Happy Anniversary!
oh my goodness, what a story! soooo glad it all worked out for the best in the end. happy happy anniversary to you + your husband – hope you have a perfect day!
AWW how cute! Thanks for sharing the story… And as for the cupcakes, those are pretty dang cute too! YUM!
What a story to tell! I bet your kids roll their eyes each time they hear it
Best Wishes to you and your family! Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary! I loved your story…so romantic
. So you, Aimee, and my anniversaries are close to each other. Mine is June 30th. Love the pics, too.
What a sweet love story, Jocelyn!! My hubby & I met on a blind date! Oh, and those cupcakes? LOOK AMAZING! Pinning.right.now.
It’s crazy to think back on all the ‘coincidences’ which get us together with people! I bet your parents weren’t too thrilled – but it does sound like strict rules! Even stricter than BYU where some of my friends go.
Thanks for sharing this recipe and have a great anniversary!
A very interesting love story! I’ve not heard of that college but I do believe it has made men and women out of lots of boys and girls! The rules do seem a little extreme but once in awhile that is good for us too. Happy Anniversary and most certainly stay together forever ~ that is IMPORTANT!! Now I’ll have to go back and look at the cupcake recipe!!
wow i would not have made it a week in a school like that! It is fun story though:)
Wowie! That’s a story to tell for sure. Happy Anniversary!
Awe–Happy Anniversary!! I’m sad about the leave silently policy they had–no good byes for me.
Hope you have had an amazing day!!
I hated that no good byes policy! Happy Anniversary to you! Hope you had a wonderfully fun day!
Happy Anniversary!
I didn’t know that part about calling directory assistance and changing the number. No wonder we got in so much trouble, lol!
It is funny how things that are so hard at the time end up making us better people.
Happy Anniversary!
What a sweet story–you rebel, you! Have a wonderful anniversary!!
Holy Moly! That’s quite the school!! And I thought I went to a strict Christian college!!! Your takes the cake!
Happy anniversary!
The cupcakes look great!
I love the story, the happy ending..umm beginning, and the cupcakes! Thank you for sharing on Thursday’s Treasures #35 Hope to see you again next week. <3 and hugs! http://www.recipesformyboys.com/2012/05/thursdays-treasures-week-35.html
how sweet.. and the cupcake looks yummy to
Jocelyn, love these cupcakes, I’ve already pinned them so They will get made in my house one of these days, hopefully soon!
Happy Anniversary! Love all the pictures. I’m familiar with the college you speak of, very, very strict indeed. Thanks for sharing your story, a true testament to faith and true love, letting go and let God!
Big hugs to you and hubby!!!!
Happy Anniversary! I once dated a boy who went to school at Notre Dame…and I thought their rule that you couldn’t be in the dorm of the opposite sex after curfew was strict!
YUM!!! 3 of my favorite things…Chocolate, raspberries and cheesecake!!! I saw your share at The frugal girls – Chic & Crafty Thursday. I just pinned your recipe. Thanks for the great share! Cheers!
Looks so delicious. Hope I can make them. We love cheesecake, chocolate and raspberries. Thank you for sharing your story of you and your husband. God is gracious and he makes beauty out of ashes. Blessings, Jo-Ann
oh these look delicious! What pretty colors too.
my daughter turned 14 today (the 24th) sure was a great week in 1998.
Happy Anniversary
What a great story! You and your sweetie look so cute together. And those cupcakes–yumminess!
Happy anniversary! And your cupcakes look AMAZING!!!!
Well I read every word & WOW what a story! I met my husband in a bar — no fun back story there! Happy anniversary to you!!!
It’s amazing how when something is meant to be, it will be. I love your story and I can’t wait to try these cupcakes. Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays.
Happy Anniversary! Love the story. These cupcakes look divine! I love chocolate and raspberry together. Thanks for sharing.