I love to tell the story of how Bob and I met. In part, I love to tell it because being married to him makes my heart happy and brings me joy. Yes, I do love being married to Bob Baulch. However, more than that — and even more importantly than that — the telling of my marriage story glorifies the One who made it possible. Our courtship, our marriage, and our life together would not exist outside of the redemptive work of Jesus in both our lives. Our public persona is reality — a reality that is rooted in the grace and mercy of Jesus.
I met Bob years before we became a couple. In fact, he was actually married to someone else when we met. He was the new hire replacing me in a teaching position, and it was my job to train him. This meant he followed me from class to class while junior high students shouted, “Is this your husband?” Bob turned beet red. I just laughed and replied with a loud “NO!” and silently thought, “He’s not even my type.” Oh, the irony.
From the beginning, our relationship was strictly professional. He was Mr. Baulch, the nice man who could fix computers. That detail plays a big part later.
Now, I need to say something very important: Bob Baulch never once, not to me or any other woman, made an inappropriate remark or flirted. He was respectful, professional, and kind. That mattered. If he had behaved otherwise, I never would have trusted him, let alone considered a relationship years later.
We worked together a couple of years, then went our separate ways. I moved campuses. Years passed. Then in 2009 — a year of deep personal healing — I embraced technology (finally) and got my first smartphone. In fall of 2010, I attended a birthday party and there he was: Mr. Baulch! My old computer needed fixing, so I asked, “Do you still fix computers?” He did. He gave me his number. I didn’t think twice about it.
Over Thanksgiving break, I remembered to call him. He agreed to help, for free, with one condition: I had to stay and learn how to do it myself. I would’ve rather poked my eyes out with a stick, but I was determined to learn.
So I went.
We worked on that computer for hours. I didn’t learn a thing — but I had a wonderful time. We talked, laughed, and I saw a side of him I hadn’t seen before: smart, funny, and deeply kind. And I realized he was no longer married. He had been through a divorce, and it had even shaken his faith. As for me, I had finally stopped looking back at what I didn’t have. I had laid that longing at the Lord’s feet and decided to live fully in whatever He had for me — even if that meant waiting.
A few days later, he invited me to his school’s Christmas party. Then, before the party even arrived, he asked me out to dinner.
I overthought everything. Is this a date? Is it just food? What if he tries to kiss me? What if he’s a terrible kisser? I could never date a bad kisser! But I gave it to the Lord, relaxed, and said yes.
And it was good.
We dated with no agenda. We talked for hours. We laughed. We shared our past, our fears, and what we hoped for. Slowly, I began to love him — with a kind of love I had never known. A peaceful love. A steady love. A love that cared more about his happiness than my own. That’s when I knew it was real. That’s when I knew it was God.
Eventually, he asked. And I said yes.
At 50 years old, in front of family and friends, I married a man who had become my best friend. And I have never regretted a moment. Bob Baulch is a man of integrity — a man who walks in grace and truth. He loves Jesus and lives it. He brings out the best in me, and always points me to Christ.
I thank God for him daily.
And just in case you’re wondering… he is a fabulous kisser.
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Rachael Wendy Baulch