Disclaimer: I don't own Law and Order: SVU. Dick Wolf and the people at NBC do. I also don't own any part of the song within this story.
Song: Unanswered Prayers
Artist: Garth Brooks
It's Friday night in New York. Elliot and Olivia Stabler are at their son's first high school football game. Just before halftime, a woman approaches Elliot, and he introduces her to Olivia. "Liv, this is Kathy. We went out in high school. Kathy, this is my wife, Olivia."
"Nice to meet you."
"You, too."
Just the other night at a hometown football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame.
And as I introduced them, the past came back to me,
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be,
Elliot thought about the times he spent with Kathy in high school. They began dating during their sophomore year and continued to see each other until she went off to college and he joined the went to two proms together, and he really believed they were going to spend the rest of their lives together.
She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I'd spend praying that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything ever again
He had planned on asking her to marry him the night before he left for basic training, and he prayed constantly that she would say yes. However, instead of becoming engaged, that was the night Kathy decided to end her relationship with Elliot.
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.
Remember when you're talking to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.
Elliot couldn't help but notice that, although she was still pretty, time had not been all that kind to Kathy. She couldn't hold a candle to Olivia. He also noticed that she wasn't as kind as he remembered, either. She had a general attitude that didn't sit well with him, and he couldn't help but wonder if she'd always been like that. There was something in her eyes that, as they tried to reminisce, told Elliot that Kathy felt he had changed, too. And he had...for the better.
She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams.
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed.
We tried to talk about the old days.
There wasn't much we could recall.
I guess the Lord knows what he's doing after all.
After a few minutes, Kathy said she needed to get back to her family. The three said their goodbyes and Elliot turned to look at Olivia. She smiled at him as he told her he loved her. Silently, he said a prayer thanking God for bringing Olivia into his life.
And as she walked away and I looked at my wife.
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life.
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.
Remember when you're talking to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.