I got ahead of myself and wrote about the night that Jason and I fell in love back in November. November 2010 was a big month for us! We went on our first “unofficial date”, first dance together where we fell in love (read Part 3 here) and then Jason met my family.

Meeting my family was a multi-faceted endeavor, but Jason didn’t know that yet. I come from a big family. I have three siblings, two were married at the time with one kid each, my grandma and my parents. At the time we were eleven strong. Meeting ten family members at one time can be a little intimidating. Well what a better place to meet all of them at once then at my church. Why church? My dad is the pastor and my family is so involved that church is like the family business. Jason had no idea that I was about to quietly put him through the wringer to see what he thought of my fun, loud family who so happened to be pastors too.

I remember talking to my mom on the phone in my college apartment, pacing back and forth asking her if it was a good idea. She wisely said he could come and see church for himself, and that’s all I could do. Well being a “PK” (aka pastors kid), all eyes are on you when you bring a “friend” to church who looks pretty close to a boyfriend type of friend. When we arrived, I introduced him to my sisters, grandma and some of my church family. Once the service started, I watched his reactions out of the corner of my eye and then waited until we could talk at lunch. That was his test. Did he pass or not?

Jason told me afterward that he loved it! He really enjoyed the service and the preaching. He was also pleasantly surprised that he met members of my family. (That was part of the plan!) After his first visit, he wanted to come again. After his second time he said that it felt like church home. I would say he passed.

The next time Jason hung out with my family was for the annual Auburn v. Alabama game after Thanksgiving. This football rivalry is a right of passage in our family. My dad played football for Auburn in college. Those southern roots turned us northerners into big SEC fans. Jason sat through our screaming and cheering during the biggest college game of the year. He talked stats, players and experience with all of the guys. He actually fit right in. He passed again.

After Jason met my family and liked my church, I had a huge sense of relief. He passed with flying colors. I knew that at this point it was okay to officially date. I didn’t want to let my heart go before my priorities were all checked in our relationship.

Read Part 5: College Memories