Once upon a time—well, seven years ago—two hearts, freshly bruised by life, decided to take a chance on love again. But not just any chance… a one-month, no-extensions, absolutely-not-paying-more kind of chance. Alysia and Franklin, both fresh out of really bad divorces, found themselves scrolling through Match.com with the same cautious optimism (and frugality). Neither of us was in the mood for games or gimmicks, and let’s be honest—online dating can feel like a gamble. But just as our subscriptions were about to expire, God (and Match’s algorithm) intervened. Alysia thought she was just chatting with a nice, well-dressed man who happened to have an incredible smile. It wasn’t until later that she discovered—wait, you’re a real preacher?! And not just any preacher—one whose love for God and family was so deep, so unwavering, that it became the most beautiful thing she had ever witnessed in a relationship. From the very beginning, we knew there was something different about us. We connected over our love for food, adventures, travel, live music, fashion (yes, we said it twice—it’s that serious), and most importantly, sneakers. Yes, we’re both sneakerheads, which means we take our kicks as seriously as we take our love. But like any great love story, ours wasn’t without its tests. Just a few years in, Franklin did something completely unexpected—he quit his job, sold everything he owned, and followed God’s calling to attend seminary at ITC in Atlanta. Alysia, a woman of wisdom and practicality, kindly pointed out that there were plenty of seminaries in North Carolina (and even in Charlotte, where we lived). But God had a plan, and over time, she came to understand that this journey wasn’t just Franklin’s—it was ours. Then came 2020, a year no one will forget. While Franklin was in school, COVID-19 hit, and he contracted the virus long before there were vaccines. It was Christmas, and he had to isolate in a hotel, away from all family. But love finds a way. Alysia cooked their full Christmas dinner, gathered his gifts, and met him at a park—he stayed in his car, she stayed in hers, and they celebrated Christmas together in the most unconventional, yet meaningful way possible. Through the past three years, we have walked together through career changes, graduations, accolades, family transitions, and the heartbreak of Alysia’s mother’s passing. Before she left this world, one of her final wishes to Franklin was simple but profound: “Take care of Alysia.” And he has—just as she has taken care of him. Our love has been tested, refined, and strengthened by every challenge. It has been filled with hope, laughter, joy, and faith in God’s perfect plan. And now, as we stand at the altar, we say “I do”—not just to each other, but to the beautiful love story that neither of us thought was possible again. But God saw different. #SteppingIntoSteadman