Minute With Mallon: From 3x5 to “I Do”
Welcome to Minute with Mallon!
Something I Taught:
Sometimes you just have to go for it! 🎯
On July 27th, Sandy and I will celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. So I thought I’d share a funny little story about how it all came to be.
On August 12, 2005, my first wife, Leigh, passed away from breast cancer. It was devastating—for me and for our three sons. Honestly, it felt like an atomic bomb had landed on us.
Several months later, I started realizing… there were these things called women. And I liked them. A lot. 🤣 They looked good, they smelled good—you get the idea!
But deep down, I was wondering, “Will I ever be able to find someone to marry again?” I just wasn’t sure.
So, I did what any strategic guy would do: I grabbed a 3x5 card and started writing down everything I was looking for in a wife. Front and back. Full page. Vertical. Specific. I figured if I was going to get married again, I wanted to be very clear on what I was asking for.
And then… I prayed. Every day. For nearly a year, I’d put my hand on that card and ask God to bring this woman into my life. 🙏🏻 The list was so specific I thought it might be impossible. But I’ve learned that “impossible” isn’t a problem for God.
One Friday night, I saw an eHarmony commercial. I’d seen them a hundred times before, but for some reason, this time I got up, walked into my office, and signed up. Within 30 minutes, my profile was live.
Fast forward about 11 months—I’d been on 13 first dates. (Yes, I counted.) Lunch every time. And if I didn’t feel like the person aligned with what was on my 3x5 card, I kindly let them know I wouldn’t be calling again. Believe it or not, every single one of them thanked me.
Then I met Sandy. And she was different—in all the best ways. Over the next few months, I found myself checking off boxes from that card. Everything I had asked for… and more.
On Sunday, May 28th, 2007, we were at church together. Our pastor was preaching a message called, “From Wanderer to Warrior.” I had my arm around Sandy, and I remember thinking, I’ve been wandering long enough. I don’t want to wander anymore.
That’s when I knew. I’m going to ask her to marry me.
After the service, I told her, “We’re going to Starbucks.”
“I’ve had enough coffee,” she said.
I told her again, “We’re going to Starbucks.” So… we did. 🤣
We ordered two coffees, found a quiet spot outside, and sat down. She started talking, but honestly… I couldn’t hear a thing. My ears were ringing.
At a certain point, I raised my hand to gently stop her and said,
“I love you so much. Would you please marry me?”
Her mouth dropped open. She started crying.
I did too… just from the joy of the moment.
She said yes. And a couple of months later—we were married.
Maybe you’re in a season of waiting, wondering if the right opportunity, person, or next chapter will ever come. Let me remind you—it’s not impossible.
Get specific. Talk to God about it. And keep showing up.
Because sometimes, when you least expect it… everything falls into place. 💫
Something to Ponder:
We should double our impact on the world every decade!
My dear, late friend, Dan Miller.
Something I Learned:
In the book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill emphasizes the power of definiteness of purpose. He says that people who know exactly what they want—and are willing to persistently pursue it—are far more likely to succeed than those who move through life uncertain or vague about their goals.
That 3x5 card I wrote years ago? It was my version of definiteness of purpose. I didn’t just hope to find the right person—I got clear on what I was looking for and took action.
Whether you're searching for the right person, the right job, or the right next step, don’t underestimate the power of getting specific and showing up. Clarity is a definite multiplier.
Something I Saw:
18 Years Ago!
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Hope you have an incredible week!
Robert
