OK, so this isn't writing or poetry.... it's a book review. Yes, I Jonathon Habeshy, read a book. Cover to Cover, in less than two weeks mind you. I don't know how I did it, maybe the book was just that good. The title of the book is the same as this blog. When Dreams Come True by Eric and Leslie Ludy. This book is written quite well and in great detail. I wonder if the authors actually remembered all the little details of their past or if this was summation of journals that they had written. The book alternates chapters written by one author, then the next. Eric tells his side of the story and where he's at in his life in the chapter, then in the next chapter Leslie does the same thing. It's pretty cool read both male and female perspectives on their past relationships as well as their own relationship as it unfolded. I believe the purpose of this book is to show that a pure, Godly relationship, w/ a marriage as the end result, can be accomplished. Not only that, but it can be done w/o even a kiss, let alone any physical intimacy until they were married. I was most impressed with Eric, though. He is the definition of an honorable man. He is an example for all of us men in terms of respecting women. He proceeded with caution in his relationship w/ his now-wife (who was 16 and he was 21 when they met). At first I was upset and felt that the authors were rubbing their purity in me and Jen's (Jen is reading it now) face. But I believe that they didn't write this book to say that you shouldn't even kiss before you're married, or you shouldn't even say "I love you" until you get engaged. If me and Jen were to attempt this it would be an exercise in futility. Me and her have set our boundaries and we have our own ways of staying within them and we know how to control ourselves (but I will admit she's a little bit better at it then I am). Eric and Leslie wrote this book to show that it's possible to have a relationship w/ the opposite sex while excluding any physical and romantic exchange until you're married. This provides us and every other person who desires to one day be married HOPE. It is worth it. I can't prove that it's worth it until I get married of course, but for now, it's all about STEPPING OUT ON FAITH. This book offers encouragement to anyone in a relationship, or to anyone who wants to experience how joyful a "marriage built around Christ" is (not that I know... yet). To say this book has changed me is an understatement. Sure, Jen and I haven't overstepped our bounds but that's not enough. I can, I should, and I will do better... because I love and respect her. But most importantly, I love Jesus Christ, he is #1 in my life, and Jen is a gift from him. It's fun to hunt down your Christmas gifts from your parents when you're young and see what you got. But on Christmas day, there is no surprise, no anticipation, and you won't cherish the gift as much. Same deal when it comes to getting a gift from your Heavenly Father. Understand #1 it's a gift, just like our salvation, we don't deserve it. We don't deserve to "have someone" either. This is why we must find contentment in being single before should consider entering into a relationship. Another thing, while Eric and Leslie's personal choice to not kiss until their wedding day was a good example to all, it's just to show that it can be done (that's what i think anyway). Kissing (and everything up to actually having sex) is like shaking the gift, analyzing it, trying to see what's inside. But along with that it's frustrating, it's meant to be frustrating. That's why, men, once you "start to explore" you feel like you're going to explode if you don't go all the way.
Probably the biggest underlying theme in this book is that the couple each had a strong relationship w/ Jesus Christ before they even met and eventually got together. Several times mentioned in this book they said that they had to "build my life around Jesus Christ, not Eric Ludy" or Leslie if Eric was writing the chapter. So many times we define ourselves by who we are in a relationship w/, or even married to. When that person is gone what happens? Depression, suicide? Those are extreme examples, but it's what happens when your life is not built around Christ and you look for something other than Him to satisfy you.
Something else that impressed was how much both Eric and Leslie's families were involved in their relationship. This is unusual, but part of it, I believe, was due to the fact that their families had become good friends b/c they went to the same church. Still, I never saw a family that was so involved in their children's relationships. It almost made it seem like their marriage was arranged. This is the ideal situation I think, unfortunately for most, it's not probable. I don't involve my parents nearly as much when it comes to me and Jen (and I know she doesn't w/ her parents either), primarily because I don't admire my parent's relationship. The only thing I admire about them is that they somehow managed to stay marred. That's it. Mine will be different.
All in all this was an awesome book that I think just about everyone should read if they someday desire, or at one point wanted, to get married.