I guess I should have known when our wedding cake was knocked over by a flying backdrop what kind of married life awaited me. When I entered the front door of my reception, Bridesmaid Colleen rushed up to me with hands covered in butter creme and with tears in her eyes said, “Jinny (beat, beat, beat…) augghhhh. ” and sprinted off. She did not have the heart to tell me what happened. From eye witness accounts a toddler toddled, the lattice–screen teetered, the crowd gasped and the cake flew. After the top layers were knocked to the floor, the caterer and family members hastily attempted to reassemble the damaged carcass into its formerly iconic pastry shape.
Never bent on perfection, I had the philosophy that I got the dream guy and that made for the dream wedding. Yes, our cake pictures featured icing prominently as a background but isn’t it the imperfections that make for fabulous stories after all? We danced the night away. Ok, actually I danced while John feverishly tried to channel Old Time Rock and Roll Tom Cruise (pre Oprah-weirdness). A glorious day all told, cake or no cake.
Three months into our marriage, I left our one-bedroom apartment for a run down Hulen Street. I noticed a vagarant-looking guy on a bus stop bench facing me, clutching his head and moaning. Paper sacks, obviously his, littered the sidewalk all around him. His shorts were 70’s Forrest-Gump length. I averted my gaze for many reasons and stepped up my pace. I took a left down the side street where Grandfathered fields of Longhorn Cattle grazed next to Ryan’s Steakhouse. I had to wonder sometimes if they knew.
I logged my 30 minutes and as I returned home, lingered on the steps up to our third-floor apartment to do calf-stretches. I opened the door to find John with a strange look on his normally-relaxed face. “Hey, honey. How was your run?” He nervously continued. “I met this guy. Kevin. He was down at the bus stop. His girl friend kicked him out and he says he’s suicidal.” I replied, “Oh yea, I saw that guy.” and wondered as I would many times how John got the back story on this desperate stranger.
He continued, “Is it OK with you if I take him get some help?” Being married brought on the added responsibility of considering somene else before doing something potentially dangerous. ” He’s not armed and he’s waiting at the bottom of the stairs. They can take him at John Peter Smith Hospital. I called to check it out. They can help him but cannot come get him. What do you think about me taking him over there?”
Typically afraid of suicidal vagrants in short-shorts, I felt strangely calm this time. “Ok, but we’re taking the dog and I’m going with you.”
We loaded up Kevin, his earthly belongings and our Australian Shepherd and set out for the charity hospital. John drove, Kevin rode shotgun and Mollie and I were in back. Out of nowhere Kevin lit a cigarette, John rolled down the window and immediately Kevin fell asleep; dropping the burning butt in the gray shag floorboard of my Mercury Tracer. I scrambled to locate the burning butt and we quietly laughed at the crazy situation we had gotten ourselves into. Once at the hospital, John helped Kevin up to the admission desk and the professionals took it from there. My idealistic seminary student was so eager to live out his faith.
And now? Well, the idealism is gone. But what remains is that my rythym-less groom still sees action as the litmus test of faith in Christ. His phone will ring at night and I hear him coordinating a landscape job for a homeless guy, listening to health updates of those who need a little pastoral assurance or enlisting a speaker to present to our church on Sunday mornings for our missional moment. He is a tireless advocate for people who from a worldly perspective have nothing left to lose and certainly nothing to give. On top of that he is hysterical, strong, witty and wise.
I really wonder how God saw fit to give me this person so opposite from me to be my spouse. He’s Olive-skinned and I’m a card-carrying albino. He examines every angle before making decisions while I use the force to guide me. His dishwasher-loading looks like a Whirlpool Ad and mine looks like aftermath from a twister. He completes me and his humble love has bettered me.
This Tuesday will be our 19th Valentine’s Day together. Our first one was a Singles Square Dance. I told him that I was going with friends and to meet me there which he did, a gutsy move for an introvert like himself. Somewhere between “honor your partner,” and “wrong way promenade home,” I was hooked. We were engaged four months later and suffered a mutilated wedding cake a mere twelve months after that.
For nearly two decades my heart has belonged to John- brave in the face of tragedy, honest to a fault and for more reasons than there are words to say, my one true love.
jinnyhenson.net 
Beautifully said!
Thank you, my beautiful friend! I shared your story in the book!
Oh Jinny! You’ve done it again. Ha!
You have me in tears as I get to discover even more little gold nuggets about your life that make you who you are.
I’m telling you, the tapestry of your stories always begin and end with the most beautiful and PERFECT amount of detail!
YOU ARE SO SPECIAL!!
….And so is that sweet fella of yours!!
Great story! Great devotional for me on this day that I am unable to go to church. 😉
Love you to pieces!!!!
I am a fan of your writing, Teri “See More,” Netterville.
❤ So glad our paths have crossed. Love you friend!
Me too
There is truly nothing like finding your true soul mate- they are such a blessing- no matter how long we have them here on earth. Cherish every moment of every day for it is a gift!! Love u!
:). Love you, Robin
Perfect example of opposites attracting! Love you two!
Thank you!
We saw the lattice fall and the cake sail to the floor. Your reaction I share with anyone who will listen to a wedding bloopers story!…”the bridesmaids put their flowers on top of the cake. Jinny laughed! It didn’t matter. She will always be the best-natured, beautiful, happy bride I have ever seen! (oh, and by the way, she’s now a Christian comedian, could you see that coming?)” Hearing about John, your courtship, and getting to know him through your blog, it’s completely understandable you are still the best-natured, beautiful, happy bride I have ever seen. Yours does sound like a match made in heaven. Congratulations on 19 Valentine’s Days and wishing you many. many more stories to share!
Too kind. Thank you!
Ginny, you are a very gifted writer. I know of you through a mutual friend, Tracy Suchart Gray, whom I previoulsly worked with. My prayers are still with you and your precious family. I grieve with you and wish you all continued grace as you move forward on your journey. Please continue to include me in your blog posts. I am inspired by your faith and love. Tricia
Jinny, you are, and have always been, amazing! God has richly blessed you and is using you in powerful ways.
Thank you, sweet Anita.
What a great story! I think of you often. Your strength is amazing!
Thanks, cousin:)
Hello Jinny.
You and John are truly a match made in heaven. I am blessed to have been witness to the dancing, the wedding cake dissaster, and a few other magical moments. But most of all, I am blessed by the strength of your love for one another and the honesty by which you live your lives.
Much love,
Rachelle
Rachelle-
Great to hear from you. Email me at jinnyhenson@gmail.com and let me know how you are.
Love,
Jin
You rock, Girl! Have a Happy Valentine’s Day! Beverly
Thanks, Beverly!
Best Valentine’s story ever…John and Jinny Henson.
We love you both and are privilege to know you both. I hope much more love and many more blessings await you two as you continue your precious love story!
Love you!
Cindy
Cindy-
Thank you for writing. Hope you and your fam are wonderful.
Love,
Jin
Thank you for sharing Jinny. You always make me laugh and cry- sometimes simultaneously, lol 🙂
Thank you so much! Hope you are well.
Jinny- Beautifully written! I am teaching writing to 6th graders here in the Park Cities. I think that I need you to skype in and teach writing for me. I remember your wedding very well. Phill and I had just gotten engaged on the Friday night before your wedding. It was a wonderful celebration, and you looked so pretty and joyful. Mrs. Stracener let me know that she got to visit with you last month. She has toiled and navigated through her loss to teach so many about God’s provision and grace, just as you have. How arresting that the two of you would share such a loss! I pray for you to minister and draw others to Him. and….Go Jack! Much love- Eppy
Thank you so much! I have a ways to go writing-wise for sure.
Mrs. Stracener was wonderful and I loved seeing her.
Would love to skype any time.
Love you ,
Jin