Kristen's Version: Our paths connected on Hinge. Within 24 hours of Jeremy creating his profile and less than 30 days after God told me I was coming into a season of marriage and motherhood. Jeremy casually yet specifically responded to my deal breaker statement (let's not go on a date if you are a divorced father). Just a week before, I put this bold statement on my profile. As I desired to walk into marriage with someone who would experience one of these two firsts alongside me. His response wasn't to sway me, but to share, he saw me and was intrigued... and hoped I found exactly what I was looking for. After browsing his profile and seeing we had much in common, I responded with an openness to see if he wanted to explore a platonic connection. Little did I know, I walked through the door God opened to my future husband! Nearly nonstop for days we talked, laughed, joked, and engaged in thoughtful, smooth, simple and deep conversations.. about our life, experiences, values, and purpose. The morning of the second day I asked God what is this. As it felt as if He moved with promise, and I was presently experiencing it. He showed me this was His alignment to the things He spoke about my future! From that moment on, I not only had enjoyment getting to know Jeremy, I received GOD's PEACE! God offered me His promise & purpose if I laid down my preference (deal breakers). Walking with Him on life's journey I learned I could trust Him and He absolutely had the best for me, so without hesitation I laid down my preference and walked into such a beautiful, intentional, tailored blessing :).
Jeremy’s Version: After being single for quite some time, I was used to downloading dating apps, and then deleting them 24 hours later. The dating pool just seemed so bland. No substance, no ambition, and no one who was stimulating my mind. Until I decided to download hinge, and even in this moment I planned to delete the app the next day. But I came across Kristen’s profile, and I saw a number of her videos talking about God, and I could immediately see and feel a difference. But when I looked at the bottom of her intriguing profile, there was a message saying “Please don’t date me if you had been divorced and have a kid, as I would like to experience at least one of these for the first time with my partner”. So immediately I felt disappointment, as this felt like another situation I was not qualified for. But I still messaged her letting her know that I was very impressed with her, and that I could see how much we had in common. But in my mind, when I sent that message, I wasn’t expecting to hear from her at all. Fast forward 24 hours, I’m watching the Olympics with one of my homies, and I get a notification that she messaged me! A huge smile is on my face in this moment and reading her message saying “hey I appreciate your honesty and I wouldn’t mind getting to know you as a friend”. And I honestly was fine with that. Because I wanted to get to know this woman. After that, we talked constantly over the next 5 days specifically, day and night, texting, calling, video chats. And on August 8th… I told her I loved her. That’s all the time I needed to know. And I felt it basically from the first night. I felt the difference! But what made that night extra special… she said it back! And I knew from that moment, I would one day marry this amazing woman… and HERE WE ARE! God is good!