The Story That Began It All

Debra & Dion Flaming

December 10th, 1983...

Tomorrow, Dion and I will celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary—how is that even possible? As I look at our wedding photo from that snowy December afternoon in 1983, I can’t help but smile at the story God wrote long before we ever stood together at that altar. Today feels like the perfect day to reminisce about how it all began.

Back to 1982: Two Paths Crossing

In the fall of 1982, both Dion and I were attending Northwest Nazarene College. I was a senior, busy launching Young Life at my old high school. Dion—on what he lovingly called the “nine-year college plan”—was taking classes and serving as a youth pastor at a Baptist church.

One of the college students helping with Young Life insisted I call a guy named Dion who, she said, already had connections at the high school. She believed he would be just the person I needed to talk to. She persisted. And persisted. Finally, I dialed the number.

Dion answered—babysitting his niece and nephew at the time—and his warm, kind voice immediately put me at ease. We agreed to meet for lunch at the NNC canteen to talk ministry and logistics. For some reason I still can’t explain, I showed up wearing a dress—a rarity for me in those days. Neither of us had any idea what the other looked like. Dion even arranged for a friend to point me out before he introduced himself.

He walked up—tall, mustache, blue jeans, big sweater, moccasins—and I remember thinking, Well, he’s surprisingly good-looking.

The Lunch That Changed Everything

I ordered an apple and water; Dion ordered a hamburger, fries, and a Dr. Pepper. Throughout lunch, people kept stopping by to say hello to him. He seemed to know everyone on campus. He had just returned from a mission trip to Panama and told story after story—most of them hilarious. My favorite? The one about the cockroaches flying out of an outhouse hole when he least expected it. I was in stitches.

We didn’t talk much about ministry, which meant we needed another meeting… and another… and another.

We went to an NNC basketball game, a Valentine’s banquet, and countless other gatherings. Together, we led Young Life—he worked with the boys, I worked with the girls. His singing voice helped carry the music; my calling was to teach a short message each week. The high school student whose home we used for Young Life? He still attends our church to this day, faithfully serving the Lord. Isn’t that amazing?

The Moment I Knew

By springtime, something in my heart shifted.

One evening, another guy—an old friend—picked me up for what I thought was simply an event we'd attend together. Meanwhile, Dion waited at my parents’ house for me to return. And in that moment, driving away, I realized the truth with absolute clarity:

If I lost what I had with Dion, I would be devastated.

I came home, apologized for my insensitivity, and soon after, our hearts aligned with certainty. A few months later—on the day of my college graduation—Dion proposed.

We set our wedding date for December 10th, 1983. A Christmas wedding—perfect for a girl who had always loved that season, and it gave my mother time to sew all the bridesmaid dresses.

A Snowy Wedding and a Frozen Honeymoon Cabin

We were married at Caldwell Conservative Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. The world outside was blanketed in deep winter snow—magical and peaceful. The ceremony was traditional and beautiful, complete with unity candles and special songs. Our Young Life kids provided Christmas music at the reception in the church basement.

Just before we left, Dion’s friends “kidnapped” me—scooping me up, tossing me into a van, and taking off. Dion was not amused. They cheerfully returned me, and after his heart settled back into rhythm, he eventually found the humor in it.

For our honeymoon, we drove to McCall to stay in a cabin. When we arrived, it was pitch-black and freezing. We spent ages coaxing heat from the fireplace before the place finally warmed up. It was a rocky start—but we woke up to a breathtaking winter wonderland. We cross-country skied, explored snowy trails, and even went snowmobiling. It was simple, sweet, a perfect start.

The Life That Followed

We returned to our tiny house near the college—Dion finishing school, me working at my dad’s dental office. We continued youth ministry and eventually both became teachers, which felt like the perfect fit for our calling.

We have never been rich in material things.

But our lives have been filled with treasures money could never buy—faith, family, purpose, and a love that has deepened through every season.

A Heartfelt Reflection

As we step into our 42nd anniversary tomorrow, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. God has woven our lives together with such tenderness and grace—through the seasons of joy, challenge, laughter, heartbreak, and every ordinary day in between.

Love doesn’t stay the same; it grows if you let it. And somehow, after four decades, I still think back to that girl in the canteen—holding an apple, listening to a tall young man tell stories about flying cockroaches—and I realize…

I would choose him all over again.

I Love You Dion Now & Forever,

Debra (Debbie)

Inspirations