We met at a local store while shopping. Our meeting was totally unexpected. I was doing my usual looking around and shopping and he was picking up a few items for his home. He had recently relocated to Atlanta from New York. We were both taken by one another's immediate connection and the level of comfort from the moment he approached me and introduced himself. Despite him being a "New Yorker", (anyone who knows me can attest to my thoughts and experiences with the New York Flava and how it can clash with my Southern Charm), I sensed that he was different. After hearing my qualms and reservations, he respectfully stated, "I'm asking that you get to know me and see that I'm different from those other dudes." I couldn't resist obliging his sincere request. John made such a great impression and I knew right from the start that he was indeed unique from the other encounters I'd experienced over the years. I didn't believe in love at first sight until I met John. He blew me away with his patience, consistency, transparency and gentlemen ways. I felt that my long time prayers had been answered and John later revealed that he too felt that I was heaven sent. Before I met John that day, I had accepted and embraced that God was still preparing me for the love that I deserved and yearned for, dreamt of for quite some time. I believed that God was still working on me all the while creating and preparing the man He custom made and carefully designed just for me. On that day, he and I were both convinced that the connection we shared instantly was not created on an earthly level or haphazardly; our meeting was set up and precisely orchestrated by God. Four months later we proclaimed our commitment to one another and made our love official, marking the beginning of our love journey.

John and I hosted a cook out to celebrate a couple of occasions. Unbeknownst to me, one of those celebrations would be a proposal to take his hand in marriage. I could tell that John was very nervous. He stumbled over his words but I could see in his eyes that he was the most vulnerable and sincere. I could not help but to say "yes" to the man that I dated and grew to fall in love with. John stole my heart and I felt no worries, doubts or confusion about my decision to one day become his wife. We were surrounded by friends and family that shared in our happiness and joy. We felt so blessed to be able to share this very special day with the ones we love.

By the grace of God, every blended family can become an opportunity to see His redeeming and restoring love at work. Debbie Alsdorf, Beyond the Brady Bunch

Yin / Yang: Two halves that together complete wholeness. Yin and yang are also the starting point for change. When something is whole, by definition, it’s unchanging and complete. So when you split something into two halves – yin/yang, it upsets the equilibrium of wholeness. Both halves are chasing after each other as they seek a new balance with each other. -taken from www.personaltao.com