Sandy’s Story: I believe Eric and I met as a result of Gods mercy, grace, and His orchestration. Both our hearts were filled with levels of grief and sorrow. I was still grieving the loss of my firstborn son, Hector, who was just 48 years old and had recently died from Covid in December 2021. While sharing my son’s story with Eric, I realized that Eric loved the Lord, but seemed to resent God for taking his wife home. We had several conversations about the Lord and I believe this is how God began to orchestrate our relationship. I encouraged Eric to find a new church home! Eric had voiced to me that he knew he needed church fellowship and desired to restore himself to a relationship with God. Back in March of 2022, I invited Eric to Hampton Roads Fellowship, my church home. It was then that Eric began to reestablish his walk with God, fall in love with his Word and desired to grow. How? He continued to worship at HRF, attended the men’s ministry and Bible Institute classes. It was evident that it wasn’t about seeing me, but Eric was intentional about growing in the Lord and making friends with the people in the church. I said to myself, “he so genuinely friendly”! I was glad Eric didn’t just come to Church to see Sandy; he came to church for God and to grow with his people! Watching him re establish his love for God excited me. Eric began pursuing me slowly and respectfully! He was very intentional about getting to know my family and me. He shared so much about his children to me that I felt as though I knew them. Eric was so proud of his daughter and son. I could tell he loved them so very much! I especially could relate with his daughter Erykah, because I knew what it was like to lose your mom to cancer and feel that void. As Eric and I grew in our relationship, I was thankful that it was based on purity and spiritual growth! Eric was so fun to be with and he was so loving and kind. He would visit me on the weekends, help me with chores and repairs around my house. Eric met my expectations as a godly man, never seized from giving a helping hand to me or members of my family. He continues to bring much joy to me and my children. Most importantly, Eric welcomed my family into his heart. As our love grew, I knew that this would be the man who I would want to spend my last chapter with. Eric’s Story: One day, as I was perusing through social media, I came across Sandy’s story regarding the loss of her son. I was moved to reach out to Sandy and verbally gave her my condolences. It was then I realized we both had a mutual friend who knew both Sandy and her son, Hector, whom recently went home to be with Jesus. I continued to look at her pictures and said to myself, “What a beautiful and enchanting smile this lady has. She knows the Word and loves the Lord.” You see, God used Sandy to help me realize that God’s decision in taking my wife Carolyn home was to remove her suffering and restore her to a divine body and eternal life with Her Father. As I grew to know Sandy, I felt so welcomed and loved by her family. And I knew in my heart that Sandy would love and welcome my children and family. As our relationship grew, I knew that I would want to spend this last chapter of my life with her. As a Christian man, I knew it would be more than just friendship and she would become my wife and my best friend. Chapter two… our wedding!