Marriage

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Richard, Janice, and Miranda invited Trevor to go to church with them the next morning. Trevor was in no mood to go to church. After all, he and his family were churchgoers the whole time he was a kid, and they still got divorced. But he didn't want to offend the family who had been so kind to let him stay with them, so he agreed to go.

The next morning at church while Richard and Janice sat in the main sanctuary, Trevor and Miranda went to the room where college and young adults gathered. Wes Chapman, the youth pastor, was having everyone read The Five Love Languages, which was written by Gary Chapman. "This morning," he said, "I want you guys to make a list of the love languages that you best respond to, and when everyone's done, feel free to share your lists if you'd like."

Trevor had never even heard of that book, so Miranda explained the five love languages and explained what each one meant. After a few minutes Wes asked, "Okay, who'd like to share their list first?"

"I would," Miranda answered.

Wes nodded. "Go ahead, Miranda."

"Well, to be honest, I speak all five love languages. I love hearing sweet words, whether they're compliments or simply the words 'I love you.' I also believe in showing love by doing things for people, giving them things, and just letting them know you love being around them."

Wes smiled. "That's great, Miranda," he said. "Very insightful.Anyone else?"

Trevor cleared his throat. "I've never actually read this book, but I guess my languages are gifts, especially butterscotch cookies like my mom would bake, and acts of service."

I'll have to remember that, thought Miranda, smiling.

The next morning Trevor called his college to let them know he was taking some time off because of family issues but expected to eventually return. Also during that week Richard told his doctor bowling buddy about Trevor, and the man hired Trevor to be an orderly on the spot. Trevor started work the following week and worked eight hours a day, Monday through Friday.

A month later on Saturday morning, Miranda still remembered Trevor's love languages. While everyone else was still asleep she got up and threw all of his dirty clothes into the washer, and then went into the kitchen to make butterscotch cookies.

Before too long the smell of the cookies baking in the oven woke Trevor up. He came into the kitchen. "Miranda, are you baking butterscotch cookies?" he asked. "The smell woke me up."

Miranda nodded. "Yeah. I remember you like them, and I wanted to bake you cookies because..." Suddenly Miranda blushed. "Well, because you're now living in our house, so I want to be nice."

Trevor smiled. "Well, thanks. I appreciate that." Then he heard the washing machine going. "Doing laundry on a Saturday morning?" he asked.

"Um, yeah," Miranda said. "I'm doing your laundry so that you'll--"

Trevor knew what she was doing, and as if pulled by a magnetic force, he put his hands on her shoulders and moved his lips toward hers. Suddenly he became afraid and pulled away. "I know why you did this, Miranda, with the cookies and the laundry. I'm sorry--I need to be alone to think for a while." He quickly got in his car and drove away, leaving Miranda hurt and confused.

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