Promise Me

The world would be a better place if people and countries learned this one lesson: Desiring something doesn’t make it yours.

Beth Cardall’s Diary

There is something you may be wondering. Through those ten months together, dozens of cities and thousands of miles, Matthew and I were never intimate. I know, in today’s world, that might not seem plausible, but our situation was not out of today’s world. I’m not saying that there weren’t times that abstinence wasn’t agonizing. That would be a lie. And we were certainly affectionate. But as much as I loved and wanted Matthew, he was still my daughter’s future husband. And that made all the difference. Love gives you strength to do what’s right. Even when it’s hard.

Matthew and I never talked about our desires, or even our chasteness, for that matter. It was just understood. Though once, in a lighter moment, I said to him, “You know, if I had your baby and it was a boy and then you went back to 2008, your son would be your brother-in-law.”

He thought about it for a moment then said, “That’s just bizarre.”

“Absolutely bizarre,” I said.

We both started laughing.