One steamy July afternoon, Steve, Jeremy (our younger son), and I headed to a wedding at our new church. We’d only lived in the community about a month; it was the first nuptials my pastor-husband would perform there.
Jeremy was in college at the time and close to the age of the bride and groom. He’d already become acquainted with them since our arrival.
The service was simple and relaxed, the gathering intimate. Afterward, a reception was held in the large foyer of the church, providing us an opportunity to visit with members of the congregation.
One young lady chatted with the three of us for quite some time. She laughed easily, and listened well. Her strawberry blond hair, blue eyes, and warm smile added to her charm.
On the way home, I was thinking about our pleasant conversation and said to Jeremy, “I think that cute girl likes you. Otherwise, why would she have talked to us for so long?”
“Oh, Mom. That would be so weird,” he countered. “I could never date a girl with the same name as my mother!”
Yes, her name was Nancy. And to make matters worse (as far as Jeremy was concerned) it was Nancy Ann, the same as mine. I had to agree; it was a strange coincidence.
“Besides,” Jeremy continued, “I happen to know she’s dating someone else and, of course, I am going out with Jennifer.”
But guess who broke up? And six or seven months later, Jeremy did ask Nancy out. Eighteen months after that, they were married.
Now we have two Nancy Ann Rueggs in the family. And it’s been great fun.
First, we joked through the process of creating different nicknames or titles or something so we both wouldn’t swivel our heads or come running when our name was called at family gatherings. We rejected Junior/Senior, the Younger/the Older, and derivatives such as Nanny. We didn’t care for Nancy One and Nancy Two either.
But the bride from the wedding, where we met our daughter-in-law, came up with a clever idea. Nancy could add “2.0” (Two-Point-Oh) to her name, in honor of the graphics design degree she had just earned. The added humor of “Point-Oh” made the nickname acceptable. We didn’t use it often, but it helped in a pinch.
The problem resolved itself when our first granddaughter was born, and I became Nana. Now that derivative I like!
The year after Jeremy and Nancy were married, our daughter, Heather, and her husband, Tim, were married. Steve, Jeremy, Nancy and I flew out to Washington State together for the wedding. The double take on the face of the baggage handler was quite entertaining as he processed one ticket, and then another with the same name. He got a chuckle out of our unique situation.
And then there were the years while we were still members of the same church that Nancy and I would receive cards on each other’s birthdays. No harm done; we’d pass them along to each other with a hug and a giggle.
Now I tell that story because: number one, I love to tell it. The fact Jeremy was so adamant he could never date Nancy, and now she’s his wife, tickles me every time I think about it.
Number two: It’s proof that God does indeed have a sense of humor. He’s not some stern, sullen Being whose supreme pleasure is punishing people or making life difficult.
No.
He’s the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17)—gifts like a sweet daughter-in-law*, a uniquely fun situation, and a humorous story to tell.
Truth is: God designed us to take delight in him, to enjoy his gifts, and even find amusement in those gifts (Ecclesiastes 3:13).
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Thank you, God, for creating humor, and giving us the ability to appreciate the ludicrous, the amusing, the play on words. Thank you, too, for the gift of laughter. I love how a chuckle-inducing story makes us feel good and brings teller and listener together with bonds of understanding. Finally and most important, thank you for coming alongside and augmenting the joy of humor, because “in your presence there is fullness of joy.”
*Actually we have two sweet daughters-in-law, and a delightful son-in-law as well.
(Photo credits: www.weddingsontheamalficoast.com; Nancy Ruegg, biblepic.com.)
From the Inside Out 
I love your story and too am reminded of how much I appreciate the sweetness of our Lords humor and fun. I have 3 children. My first 2 are daughters with names that start with an H. When expecting my 3rd I though If it was a girl (before sonograms) we planned to name her Hannah. Alas, we had a boy and had a different name chose to honor a family member. (Did not start with an H).
But when my son wedded his sweet Texas love he then brought to our family a Hannah. A fun story to tell and the sweetest most beautiful daughter I gained in the event.
What a delightful story, Suzi! Thank you so much for sharing.
What a sweet story!!! I am still smiling 🙂 Thanks for sharing it.
You’re welcome, Heidi! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Man, if I was only a little older, I could have been that Nancy Ann, LOL. It’s would have been great to have you as my in-law’s. I think of you as family any way. You are the mom and dad every child needs! No words can describe the love you give to all ages. Thank you!!
Thank you, Nancy Ann, for your sweet encouragement. I am honored and humbled by such kind words! Praise God he saw us through those parenting years and those ministry years with his grace and strength. P.S. We ARE like family, as many years as we’ve known each other!
I loved this cute story, Nancy, and enjoyed seeing how Jeremy looks so much like Steve. My love to both of you.
Jeremy AND Eric both favor their dad! Thank you, Grace, for continuing to be a faithful follower of my blog, and for sending your love. I miss our chats at choir practice!
Nancy, that is absolutely a delightful story; and I echo Grace’s comments about Jeremy looking so much like Steve. How striking! That gives me another story to add to my thoughts of you, Steve and Jeremy. Love to you all.
Thank you, Ruth. It’s also striking that not only do Steve and Jeremy look alike, but both were called into the ministry! Grateful for your love, Ruth!
Your story made me smile. How cool. My hubby married someone with the same name as his mother too – me! both of us are Jean’s. You have blessed my weekend, Nancy. Thank you
How about that! Do tell me–Did your husband have concerns about dating a girl with the same name as his mother? And what did you two do to differentiate between yourselves? P.S. Thank you for your kind encouragement, Jean. To have blessed your weekend is an honor!
Oh my goodness, what an absolutely positively delightful story. It actually brought happy tears to my eyes:) Thank you so much for sharing that – very uplifting! And Yes God does have a great sense of humor lol! Wishing you and your precious family all the very best of God’s blessings, now and always!
Bomi, I am so glad you enjoyed the story and found it uplifting. And thank you for your wishes of God’s blessing upon our family. He HAS blessed us in countless ways already! Thank you, too, for reading my posts and taking the time to comment. I greatly appreciate your participation!
What a great story! I used to think God was stern and humorless. How sad that so many still believe that. Understanding that He does indeed have a sense of humor, and a delightful one at that, has helped me grow tremendously in my walk. Thanks for sharing such a joyful story, Nancy!
I’m glad you enjoyed the story, Rebeca. I, too, grew up thinking God was rather stern and easily disappointed in me. That old Sunday School song didn’t help: “Be careful little hands what you do…” Even though the third line says, “For the Father up above is looking down in love,” I was sure the disappointment outweighed the love. What joy and relief to know he is working in me “to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil. 2:13)!
This was so much fun to read! I’m SURE God has a sense of humor! When little children mix of the words to a hymn…I am positive he is chuckling… I remember hearing that one little child sang about a ‘Cross-Eyed Bear’ instead of ‘The Cross I Bear’! Also, I loved seeing the picture of Jeremy and Nancy Ann.
Oh, yes–the funny things kids misconstrue, including words to hymns. Another category of humor to enjoy! Did you hear about the little guy who sang, “Lead on, oh kingly turtle?”
So funny! I hadn’t heard the ‘turtle’ one before!