I wish I could tell you that our relationship was effortless, but that wouldn’t be the truth. What I can tell you is that I truly believe God placed Derek in my life at just the right moment, knowing exactly what trials were waiting for us down the road. From the very beginning, I could sense that our love story was not just about us—it was a story woven together by divine timing and guided by faith.

Our first year together was a season of long distance. I lived in Winston-Salem, and Derek lived in Cramerton, both of us finishing school and living with our parents. The miles between us only made our connection stronger, and every moment apart was a reminder of how deeply we were rooted in something greater than ourselves.

Through every challenge and triumph, Derek stood by my side. When I was knee-deep in my graduate program—jobless, juggling a full-time internship, and commuting to Boone for night classes—Derek was my constant. He was a living reminder that God had placed him there to help me through the stress and the success, to lift me up when I couldn’t do it on my own.

Then came July 29, 2022—when I made the leap and decided to move just fifteen minutes away from the love of my life, but an hour and a half away from the comfort of my family and friends. I knew, deep in my heart, what we shared was real, but I also knew that living in the same city was the next step we needed to take before we could take our relationship to the next level. It was a step of faith—trusting that we were following the path God had set for us.

And this is where the true test of our relationship came. Over the next two years, life seemed to throw every challenge our way. I lost my grandmother and my uncle unexpectedly, and I watched my father grieve in ways I didn’t know how to fix. Amongst other trials that knocked us down, we turned to our faith. We leaned on God for strength and on each other for support.

Then, as if we hadn’t faced enough, both of my parents were diagnosed with cancer. There were moments I didn’t know how to keep going, but every time I looked to my side, there was Derek—right where God placed him. He was my steadfast partner through every trial, my reminder that faith can move mountains. We prayed together, we cried together, and we held onto the belief that we were never alone—that our Heavenly Father was guiding us through it all.

Through every heartache, every tear, every moment of uncertainty, Derek was there. He held my hand, wiped my tears, and whispered that we would get through it together. With unwavering faith, we clung to each other, knowing that God’s plan was greater than anything we could imagine. Derek is my confidant, my rock, my best friend, and together, we have walked this journey with grace, love, and the constant assurance that we were never walking alone.