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Sealed With A KissEditor's Note: The following is the first of a two-part story on the relationship of K-State quarterback Collin Klein and his wife of two months, Shalin Spani, a former member of the Wildcat women's basketball team. The writing was first published in the Official K-State Yearbook that is available at LHC Bill Snyder Family Stadium for all home games.Sept. 29, 2012By Mark Janssen"A friend gave us a Bible that had the inscription `Collin and Shalin Klein'," said Spani earlier this summer. "I guess it was the first time that I had seen it written out. I just said, `Wow!' " That wow was followed by "I dos" to one another and a shared first kiss as, through God, Collin Klein and Shalin Spani became man and wife on July 21, 2012. Of their relationship - Klein, the present day Kansas State senior quarterback, and Spani, the former Wildcat women's basketball talent - they said in unison, "God works in mysterious ways." The Wildcat couple knew of each other heading into the fall of 2011, but that's about it. It was a time when the two landed in what Spani calls "a friend group," which was a Sunday night Bible Study session at Klein's home. Times, when Klein says, "There would be 10 or 12 of us just trying to seek a better relationship with the Lord." Nothing more; nothing less. This is their story.December 20 - The VoiceRewind several months to December 20, as Klein picks up the story as he hopped into his pick-up truck and was leaving the Vanier Complex after a practice for the upcoming Cotton Bowl. "I pull out on Kimball and the Lord speaks to me: `Collin, Shalin is a special girl. You're going to marry her.' "I told no one, but it's something I prayed about every day. It might have been only a 15-second prayer, but one I might have said 50 times a day. I just said, `Lord, if this is from you, bring it to pass in your time and in your way. Otherwise, remove it from my heart, and we're good.' " The Bible Study group kept meeting with the 22-year-old Klein on one side of the room, and the 23-year-old Spani on the other. Among other Wildcat notables to take part were Wildcat center B.J. Finney, basketball player Victor Ojeleye, and Collin's brother, Kyle, a Wildcat wide receiver.While you could imagine many women wanting to be near No. 7, the K-State quarterback, it wasn't that way for Spani: "We were just sort of friends. No more than that. I never looked at him as the K-State quarterback. It was just Collin. Had Collin not been in our group, I would have still gone. I just wanted to be around great people." Smiling at Collin, she said, "I still don't care about No. 7. I've come to love Collin Klein, and I appreciate him more every day."January 16 - The PrayerWhile Klein had his private message on Dec. 20, Spani had her's on the night of January 16."Collin would always close in prayer," she said. "I can't describe it, but all of a sudden his voice turns into a mumble. I remember opening my eyes and he's still praying, but I can't understand him. I had never heard the voice of the Lord, but always sensed stuff in my spirit and my heart. This was one of those times. There was a voice in my head that said, `The man who is praying is the man who you will marry.' I remember grabbing my chair and just saying to myself, `Oh my goodness. What in the world?' I couldn't get home fast enough." Between the two, nothing was ever shared about these personal moments.In Klein's mind, "I didn't want to plant something in her heart before it was time. I wanted to protect both of us while I continued to pray. I didn't want to start anything until the Lord made it clear. I continued to pray, `Lord, show me exactly what I'm supposed to do, then give me the courage to do it.' "January 26 - The PainOn January 26, the "mysterious ways" of God continued. Spani relates that she felt an intense pain in her chest all day while working in the K-State women's basketball office. She admits, "The whole day I had Collin on my heart." Laughing, she added, "He was there as a pain."After going to bed that night, she had a sense that she should check her phone for a text."We hadn't talked all day, but I picked up the phone and Collin had texted: `Shalin, something is on your heart. What is it?' I remember saying, `OK, this is not funny.' No way in heck that I'm texting this guy saying what's on my heart."But eventually, she did with this message: "My heart is soft and attentive toward you right now. I know you're in my life for a reason." But that was it. Klein would end the mini-conversation by texting that it was a conversation that could be continued during the next few days. They were days when Klein continued to pray, "Oh Lord, help me see what you want me to see"... maybe 50 times a day.For the second part of Collin and Shalin's journey towards one another, be sure to read tomorrow's K-State Sports Extra.
Kinda weird.... JS'n
in the end, EMAW will always win.
Oh, they're weird as crap but I'll embrace them.
I don't think they are crazy, people believe different things all over the world. I support them.
Quote from: steve dave on September 29, 2012, 10:42:30 AMI don't think they are crazy, people believe different things all over the world. I support them.Fantastically said, Mr. Dave.
emaw bible studies, total pick up parties. Who knew?
