New Beginnings!

It seems odd to start a love story with a painful divorce, but it is what ultimately led to this second chance; this new beginning. As I earnestly prayed and prayed day and night over my marriage, friends stood by to offer support. One dear friend, Kristine, ordered a gift set for me from The Crowning Jewels. She only gave them my name; no additional information. They prayed over my name and heard "Abagail," a lesser-known heroine in 1 Samuel 25. In the card they sent me, it read, "Abagail chose the route of peace, humility, and vulnerability. In doing so, she changed her destiny. Her kindness earned her a place of favor and the heart of King David whom she would eventually marry." I met Chris on a dating app. His pick up line almost caused me to swipe left to pass, but his profile pic was amusing and made me smile, so I decided to take a look at his page. After deciding that the pick up line must be ironic, I responded, "Okay... I honestly almost passed when I read your pick up line, but I looked at your page and it made me laugh (in a good way), and I need more laughter in my life. And I'm totally up for throwing popcorn at people." We planned our first date and decided to meet halfway, as he lived in Oxford, AL- not Oxford, GA like I thought! The day before he asked if we could meet near my home so I could be close to Nate and my family! We met at a nearby park and went for a hike in November, sipping hot coffees and talking. It was my first date in over 15 years, and I was so nervous. Chris asked, "Are you ready to date?" I earnestly replied, "I don't know. But I want to find out." I later learned his real name was David Christopher Smith! My King David I suppose! It has been a crazy journey with so many ups and downs! But we have weathered the storms together, learning more about real love- the kind you choose, the kind you work for. On January 2nd of this year, Chris took me on a day trip to Helen, GA. That evening, we walked through a small park that was all lit with Christmas trees. He took me under a tree adorned with a beautiful array of ornaments. A Nutcracker light display stood on each side of the tree. As the lights twinkled and lit up the park, Chris got down on his knee and proposed! I said yes! A family passing through the park cheered! And then I had him take me back into the town for a celebratory funnel cake!