I was in the process of moving back to Stafford, VA from Houston, TX and as most of you know, moving takes up so much time. As a joke with my best friend , Kathleen, I hopped online. I would screen capture really weird profiles and we would have a laugh at the 'winners' I had to choose from. As I was scrolling one fateful day I received a match with John. Not going to lie, his profile pictures totally captured my attention (he's a hottie). Through our conversations we discovered that we were practically neighbors separated only by time. He moved away from Texas 2 years before I got there! We discussed everything. Our love for God, how he has been working in our lives, our families and our struggles. We both desired a traditional family structure as God called us to. We had SO much in common. Guns, music, food, senses of humor. It was like God made us for each other. Our first date day came and I was incredibly nervous. I hadn't dated in a long time. I must have changed outfits 20 times. But the moment I stepped out of my Jeep and saw him come out of his HUGE truck there was something in me that became so peaceful. Almost as if God was telling me 'This is the one, girl. Love him.' It scared me and excited me all at once. He smelled SO good! He was wearing my all time favorite cologne, Chrome! Yet another sign that God was giving me a beautiful gift. One I aim to cherish for the rest our lives.

As I began to enter the dating scene, I was occupied with so many new changes. The house was undergoing a massive renovation, I was moving towards my new job, I was trying to navigate landmines as a single Dad, and much more. Needless to say, I had very little time to meet people in the "traditional" way, so I decided to take a swing at online dating. I went out on a few dates, and had a few phone calls, but they were all duds. Then - out of the blue - I got a message from this incredibly beautiful woman that clearly and publicly professed her conservative, Christian beliefs. Her brazen nature, especially regarding what seemed to be an indication that her beliefs so closely aligned with mine, was an instant turn on. We decided to talk on the phone. Our conversations spanned every topic under the sun. From music and religion to politics and thoughts about the direction of our nation. They were admittedly deep conversations for the exploratory phase of a budding relationship, but that was one of the things that made me want to know her more. We could be silly and laughing like fools one minute and having a deeply thought provoking conversation the next. Then the day came for our first date at Honey Baked Ham in Stafford, VA. It was a lunch time date in an unassuming location. I wanted it be something safe and comfortable for her. When I got there and she got out of her Jeep, I was simply awestruck. There is no better word to describe the woman I love when I saw her for the first time. I was breathless and speechless...but only for a moment. I quickly gathered my composure, thinking "John, do NOT mess this up!". At lunch, her smile and her laugh captured my heart. I plan to make sure it remains hers for the rest of my life.

It was no secret what our intentions were. We were ready to get hitched in January! But John wanted it to be special and boy did he do just that. Mission accomplished! We took a trip to New Orleans for the 18th Military Police Brigade Reunion. While we were there John carried the ring around in his pocket until we were sitting at the front of the Steamboat Natchez. He asked what could make the day better and I said 'Fishing, but you can't fish off the back of a steamboat.' John, without skipping a beat, dropped to one knee and said 'Well what if I ask you to marry me?' I burst into tears saying YES! For the remaining portion of the ride on the Natchez, we walked around on cloud nine. I would randomly tell strangers that John just proposed to me and bubble over with excitement. I wanted to make a Facebook live announcement, but I couldn't wait. I simply HAD to call my Mom to share the news with her. Blake, being the little stinker that he is, knew when John planned to propose earlier that day, so he was bouncing around the house with so much energy that Mom had to take him to the park. Once the Natchez finally docked, we walked to St. Louis Cathedral. Once there, we dipped the ring in holy water before John and I sat and prayed together for a while to give thanks to God and reaffirm our commitment to make him the center of our lives together. We know our relationship is gift from above.