After both of us moved into separate apartments a few months after we met, I had Keith over for dinner one night which was supposed to be after Isabella went to bed. Soon after we ate and started a movie in the living room, Isabella comes walking in. At first, I was upset. I did not know what Keith would think or if he would be upset that we weren't getting alone time after only knowing each other for a short time. Isabella was sixteen months old and could hardly talk. So I went and picked her up and told Keith that I was sorry, but it didn't look like she was going to go back to bed. He said that it was absolutely fine and that he'd love to meet her. So instead of our movie, Isabella meeting a new person, went over to her toys and started giving them to Keith. He seemed to enjoy it and was genuinely having fun. And so was she. We both played with her. I could not stop thinking that this date night that was supposed to be just the two of us could not have turned out more perfect. I got to see how a man was supposed to treat me and my daughter in the same environment. He was perfect for both of us. And she loved him too. Now that so much time has past, Keith told me that that was the moment he fell in love with me. That he knew he wanted me, but more importantly, he wanted both of us as his family. I knew I loved him too, but, being the women, I had to wait until he said it first. A few weeks later, he did. And I was overjoyed. -Katherine

I met Keith at a very vulnerable time in my life. I had not known men that were kind, funny, sweet, and giving. So I wasn't sure how to make of this Keith guy. Though I was unsure, I was in love nonetheless. So I stuck with the uncomfortable feeling that he deserved someone better. In 2019 when I got help for the issues I was going through, Keith was my constant. He was not only there for me physically living in the same home as me, but he was there emotionally. He stayed up late almost every night and did research on how to help me throughmy eating disorder. He would talk to me for hours. He reassured me that I was worth this love and that I deserved it. When I was unable to be at home, while working two jobs to pay the bills, Keith would take Isabella to school, pick her up after work, give her dinner, bathe her, and get her ready for when I got home (if I was coming home that night). I am still in awe of a person, who was not married to me, who would stick around for something like that. Keith has seen me at my absolute worst and loved me even more. He has seen me cry and sat with me through it. He has stepped up and helps raise Isabella with the love that she deserves as his own child. And I ask myself still every day, what did I do to deserve this man? But if anything that I have learned, the Lord, with the help of Keith's encouragement, has taught me that, no, maybe I don't deserve it. But none of us do. We are all flawed. But, maybe God gave us each other to help heal each other and make each other stronger. Maybe love is what we have to offer each other and our daughter. And for me, that is enough. I will love Keith every day of my life because of the man that he is; the man that he has shown me that he can be. He is so faithful, loyal, encouraging, and loves with his whole heart. I hope to show him that he deserves that and so much more. He is more of a man than I could have ever imagined. And I'm thankful every day for him. -Katherine