While working as a staff nurse right out of college, I found patients to be very interested in who I was and where I grew up. The typical questions asked were “Are you married?” “Do you have children?” Where did you graduate high school?” After hearing the same questions asked so many times, I had my rote answers down pat. This particular day was different. The patient in 341-2 didn’t ask a question; instead, she made a statement. The statement took me off guard but proved true in the long run. She said this to me after a brief conversation “I have the perfect guy for you.” To be honest it took me aback. What a bold statement from someone I’d only known a short amount of time. After peaking my interest, we conversed further. I have to admit, the compliments she paid this man surely drew my attention; however, as I politely nodded and smiled I thought, “No one can be all that and a bag of chips”.
After hearing her “pitch” I felt led to do something totally out of character. Per her request, I gave her my phone number to pass along to him. To be honest, I thought the conversation would die there, but little did I know she called the church office to plant the seed in his mind. Conveniently, he made hospital rounds later that afternoon. When I first saw Him, I recall he was sitting on the heater next to the wall as I entered the room. Because I was in to see the patient in bed one, I began to attend to her. Honestly, the only thing I remember, except where he was sitting, was that he smelled really good. I love scents ~ perfumes, colognes, candles, etc. That scent stuck with me the remainder of the day. Later, much later, well into our dating relationship, I found he did come looking for me out on the floor, but was unable to locate me. He returned to the church and I transferred to the OR the following week. Oh, did I mention, he was in a relationship ~ a tumultuous one, but a relationship.
Several weeks passed when I received a phone message taken down by my father. He told me “Don Brown called”. When I heard the message my heart sank. You see Don Brown was a surgeon I frequently worked with in the OR. I immediately thought “I messed up so badly today the doctor is calling me at home.” With fear and trembling, I took a walk ~ a long walk. I imagined the worst of the worse as I hiked my usual trail. “Come Monday morning,” I thought, “they’ll ask me to leave the OR and not to look back.” Needless to say, that night was filled with anxiety and apprehension.
The next morning, Saturday morning, I woke to take my daily walk. When I returned, my father had taken another message, but this time it was from “Dan Brown”. My dad told me Dan would be calling back a little later since was out on a walk. Dan Brown. Dan Brown. Oh, that Dan Brown. Hum, I thought, that’s interesting. Not only was it interesting, I was totally relieved! It wasn’t Dr. Brown and I still had a job!
Shortly after my return, Dan did in fact call. He had tickets to An Evening at the Pops, a picnic type setting where a local orchestra would come and perform. The catch ~ the tickets were for that same night. I accepted his invitation.
We had a wonderful time. He was such a gentleman, more of one than I had ever experienced on a date. Little did I know, however, I was a spite date. His girlfriend decided she wanted to go to the event with another guy. Not to be outdone, Dan called me ~ 6 weeks after we, well, glanced at each other at the hospital. Regardless of how it happened, it was God ordained.
Previously I had been engaged and really wasn’t looking for a relationship ~ a long-term relationship, that is; however, once I met Dan, I knew within minutes this was the type of man I needed in my life. Not only was he a gentleman, kind and considerate, his conversation was filled with tons of content, humor and information. He was refreshing to say the least.
Once the evening was over, he drove me home. What happened next I didn’t expect. Since we had talked about my recent break up he took the time to pray with me, especially asking God to protect and direct me. After the prayer, he kissed my forehead. How incredible sweet! At that moment, I knew I didn’t want to let him go after one date. So, I didn’t!
Dan and I continued dating for the next 7 ½ years. Yes, you read that right, 7 ½ years. According to Dan he didn’t want to rush anything. According to me, now that I am on the other side of the 7 ½ years I was nowhere near ready for the type of relationship for which I though I was ready. That all changed in March 2002. Dan and I were married on the Ides of March. No, we didn’t specifically pick that day for its significance. The DATE was simply convenient. The ceremony was magical, the presence of the Lord was thick and the love we had for each other was evident. Up to that point I thought I knew DAN BROWN. Little did I know there were so many layers to this dynamic person. Allow me to share a few with you.
Brings Order to Chaos
God has gifted Dan greatly with the ability to create order out of chaos. He is masterful at bringing a level-headedness into a rather out of control situation. Within minutes, right before your eyes, he re-directs a tense, stressful situation or conversation, causing it to become less heated and more balanced. Honestly, the times I have been able to observe him in a situation such as this have left me speechless. What a gift!
Passionate about People
“Discover Life’s Best” ~ that is Dan’s desire for everyone, especially those closest to his heart. He loves people and longs for them to unveil the purposeful plan God has designed for them. He doesn’t want anyone to be shortchanged in life because of poor decisions or evidence of indecisive living. He deeply desires for people, especially young people, to KNOW, LOVE and FOLLOW Christ, thus Discovering Life’s Best.
Getting to the Heart
One of the most amazing strengths Dan has is the talent he has for getting to the core of who a person is within minutes. I have been awed by this skill time and time again. By asking just the right questions, Dan can generally sum up strengths and weaknesses, preferences and dislikes, limitations and capabilities at the speed of light. More times than not, he is dead on. He is a master at getting to the heart of a person and the matter.
A bit more…
- His piano playing is out of this world.
- He draws a really good Snoopy.
- He is an excellent organizer.
- He is loyal to the core.
- He loves knowing what makes people “tick”.
- He is a master multi-tasker.
- His ability to recall facts from text is genius.
- He is the original ADRIAN MONK (the TV series).
- He has an uncanny ability to draw the best out of anyone.
- He’s very task driven.
- He likes the shower bottles turned with the name out.
- He can thrive and survive on little sleep.
- He loves politics.
- He can make a lot of things happen in a short amount of time.
- He’s usually first to apologize (I can be a tad stubborn).
- He is an excellent speaker, making the pulpit come alive.
- He’s very romantic.
He’s simply one of a kind and he’s mine!
