"You WILL come worship me." I groggily woke up Sunday morning, and the Lord, who had been teaching me that He is Heavenly Father who enjoys His children coming together in-person to praise and pray to Him, had summarily vetoed my idea to watch church service online. Going to church, I sat in back corner of the auditorium, when Charmaine, who normally sits with her friends in the middle, popped by next to me. I went through service, but had trouble engaging and took away less than usual, leaving me to wonder why God had so adamantly indicated to me to attend this particular service. Perhaps it was to get brunch with Charmaine who unexpectedly sat next to me? We ended up going to Nikki's Kitchen, a family brunch spot, and this was a first time visit for both of us. The brunch restaurant was neighbors with an art studio, and they had collaborated to set up tables and paintings in the back alley. The front of the restaurant was completely full, but we had the entire back area to ourselves. For me, it was the most picturesque, movie-perfect afternoon; and the beginning of exploring the adventure that God is unveiling for us.

I once heard a testimony of someone who made a list of traits, effectively handed it to God, and found years later that the partner God had chosen for her had checked off every box. In faith, I made my list, prayed, and waited. And prayed and waited. Sometimes I wondered if the list I'd made was too difficult. I mean, what were the chances he'd have an INFJ personality type, the rarest one in the world? Could he enjoy Lord of the Rings enough to be my one? Could he keep up with my family's food adventures? (Important questions!) Most importantly, I wasn't sure if the godly man who would love God more than me even existed, or if I was just being utopian about it. But God is greater than we can imagine. I was in my mid 20s when I told God, "If I don't have at least a boyfriend I want to marry by 28 years old, I'm going to assume you want me to be single for the rest of my life." Everyone thought that 28 was way too early. But the desire of my heart for intimacy had been unrequited for so long, I didn't want to waste any time looking for a soulmate when that wasn't God's plan for me. I had just started school to become a family nurse practitioner...and how was I supposed to take care of families without a family of my own? The magnitude of my request to God became even more clear as my schedule filled to the brim. I didn't know how I was going to meet my guy between school, work, Bible study, and everything else. But I trusted God. I had resolved not to move on my own. If there was a man for me, God would bring him to me. Cue that fateful Sunday at church. I sat next to Kevin because no one should have to sit alone at church. Little did I know that God was wingman-ing for me. As I got to know him better over the course of the next month or so, he began to check off boxes. And more boxes. And more until there was a line of checkmarks down the whole list. Not only that, but once we were officially together, he began to tick off boxes I hadn't even known existed! Only God could have given me a partner as perfect for me as Kevin, and vice versa. Letting God be my matchmaker was the best decision I have ever made.