Mark is currently an MLS player extraordinaire. He plays for Toronto FC along side some of the world's best soccer players, Michael Bradley, Jermain Defoe and Julio Cesar. The Lord has truly blessed Mark with a gift. When he steps onto that field and plays, I'm sure Jesus smiles with pride. Mark was picked up out of college to play for AC St. Louis, a second division professional team. From there he played for the Charlotte Eagles and the Atlanta Silverbacks before joining the big leagues.
Last summer Mark and I were on our honeymoon in Maine when he got the call from his Atlanta coach saying an MLS team was interested in him. We had been married about eight months, but were finally taking this trip during his season's break. The call came half way through our honeymoon. Nothing was guaranteed, and as far as Mark and I knew, a team was just "interested." We spent the rest of that evening on the ocean sipping champagne and eating lobster just imagining what could happen. We were giddy as we planned out our possible future. It was the happiest day. Before we knew it, everything we were day dreaming about together started to happen. His agent called to confirm a deal had already been agreed upon for Mark to be loaned out to Toronto FC. That same day, Mark was getting a call from the Toronto back office welcoming him and informing him that they wanted him available to play by the coming weekend in Kansas City. Our honeymoon came to a bitterSWEET ending. We had to fly out a couple days early, and say our goodbyes in the Atlanta airport, as I drove home to Florida and he flew to meet his new team in Missouri. As happy as we were for Marks dream of playing major league soccer to come true, we were weary of the distance this put between us.
I wasn't quite the MLS follower as I am today. I didn't even know Canada had teams in the MLS. When I looked a little deeper, Toronto FC was consistently one of the worst teams in the MLS. From everything we heard, Toronto FC had a very good set up for their players and had just brought in a new coach. Changes were being made and Mark was one of them. Since then, Mark signed a permanent contract with TFC and has started every single game since his first start last season. With all of the other changes they made during the off season, TFC is currently one of the best in the league.
There is so much to admire about Mark. I usually get teary just thinking about what an amazing man
he is and how blessed I am to be his. He has the biggest heart and strives to love everyone as much as Jesus does. Those that know Mark recognize that he's quite the guy. I am so happy that he is mine.
 |
| Signing his first MLS contract |
 |
| Honeymoon in Maine |
