We met at New Life Church in Joelton, TN. I was visiting family in Nashville one summer, just about to enter high school and he was in middle school. We were so young! I still remember that cute shy boy across the room that kept looking at me! Then a couple years later due to the happenings of life, he and his sister were taken in by my family, specifically my cousins, who heard the Lords call to welcome them into their family. I thank God everyday that they listened. If it weren’t for that, I don’t know if we would be togther today. In time we got to know each other slowly and became friends through family get togethers and visits. We both really got along well and could talk for hours about everything! I always loved talking to him because he seemed so interested in what I had to say and me the very same with him. The one thing I remember the most was how kind and beautiful his eyes were. Still are to this day! He tells me all the time about how everyone would tease him for liking me so much! He was always asking about me and trying to figure out how to talk with me in some way. So the beginning of 2020 I allowed him to have my contact number! We talked back and forth for a few months, then life got really busy for the both of us. He was in the process of joining the Army and I was about to start Medical Assisting school. We lost touch during that year but ended up starting right back where we left off over Thanksgiving!

We didn’t miss a beat! We were still as infatuated with each other as we had always been. During December he had a leave to come home for 2 weeks, and he asked if I would go for a coffee date while he was in town. He of course asked my father first like the gentleman he is and I most definitely said yes! Funny enough, our first date ended up being a walk through the mall and seeing all the Christmas lights at the Opryland Hotel! We had told one another that we hadn’t left each others minds through the disconnection we had all year. We had such a good time reconnecting, sharing our memories, and future plans! I vividly remember having to drop him off at the airport so he could go back to the base he was to begin training at. It was so hard to let him go. But I knew it was what he was called to do in this season so I had to. When I got home that day. The Lord revealed to me that this was the man I had been praying for my whole life and who I would continue to pray for the rest of my days.

He asked me to be his girlfriend a month later while he was in Texas training to become a Combat Medic! We did really well considering we were now in a long distance relationship. It was hard but we thank the Lord for giving us the opportunity to have great communication between us two. Its amazing how God has worked in and through our relationship. We got the news in April that he would be stationed in Hawaii for the remainder of his contract (3 years). That was really tough news to take. Not only was he already far from me but was going to be seas away. We were heartbroken. But we knew we were worth it so we prayed and the Lord took care of us! As we grew closer to one another over distance and progressed in our relationship, we started to save up money together for our next meeting to fly me to him!

We had the most wonderful time in July and really needed that time to connect with one another, other than through the phone. We knew then that there was no one else in the world for us but each other. He asked me to marry him on July 21st 2021 on Wakiki beach! I still tear up thinking about that beautiful night. I had waited 21 years for him and He waited 20 years for me and there we were right in front of each other, finally.

Then a month later we decided on our wedding date! December 18th, 2021! He would be released for leave during this time so we thought it would be the perfect time to celebrate. I wanted to be able to move back with him so in order for me to do so I had to be on his orders. The only way I could be on his orders was for us to be married. So we decided to get married through proxy marriage! (Here’s the link to that info if you’re curious as to how we got married while miles apart! https://youtu.be/3j_sAZoTDOc ) We are now legally married and God has been such a good Father, already providing through the Army a payed in full rental home for our remaining time in the Military! 20 mins from post and 20 mins from the beach on Oahu, HI! We are greatly blessed and are excited to begin our life together! I will be visiting him again and helping him move in to our new home the beginning of October but I will be back on mainland towards the end of November until the end of December!

We decided that even though we’re married we still wanted to have a celebration ceremony like we originally planned with witnesses before the Lord of us coming together as man and wife! So we hope to have a wonderful day of blessings, laughter, and love on our celebration day! Thank you for reading our story! We love and appreciate you! Many Blessings to you and yours!