After losing love, we never thought it would find us for real! But God had other plans.-Jackie & Jae

We were first introduced to each other's ministry through a mutual friend's event in December 2021. We both love prayer and intercession, which was the foundational ground of our meeting.

We never said much after the event, only in passing on social media from time to time. Our first conversation came through Instagram when Jae posted on her story, results from an app using the anonymous challenge. Everyone kept asking if she was dating anyone. In particular, someone asked if the only way to pursue her was the " God way" and if she had my eyes on anyone. Utilizing a "snarky" reply, she stated ," Of course! it was the only way." "However, my eyes were only on the sparrow." Jackie thought the response was hilarious and didn't hesitate in letting her know.

Jae: This led to the second most definitive part of our meeting because he saw that I was promoting prayer books in my story and charged me about why I didn't have his book. Keep in mind; I didn't even know that he had a book. I took him up on his challenge and purchased his book, and this was the open door. He told me that he hoped we would be able to connect in ministry one day, and I responded with "absolutely, I quite ADORE your ministry." Yall know he took that to heart. I believe many people told me that's considered church flirting. In my defense, it was all honesty. I loved his ministry and his heart for God.

Fast Forward to October 5, 2022, when I received a message from Instagram to a fire emoji to a Yom Kippur Flyer. Little did I know, Jackie had just received instructions from God to Go get me before someone else does. It was at this very moment that I received a massive heartbreak and was going through an emotional breakdown and letdown. I was completely done with trying anymore. On October 12, 2022, Jackie messaged me with a prophecy from God. His words were piercing and accurate. Believe it or not, they were all about my recent heart trauma and how God was redirecting me, which would lead to much deep healing. This prophecy made him open up about his story of divorce, and we soon found out that we had the same story. Jackie was married on September 8th and Jae got married on September 16th. We realized we both were married in the same month , 8 days apart but different years. Both of us were married for a total of 6 years before divorcing. Enduring the trauma associated with divorce both Jackie & Jae were not interested in the possibility of new relationships. This led to the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Since October 12th, we have talked every day for hours about everything. Something about our relationship was so therapeutic. We never saw the transition that was coming.

Jackie: It was December of 2022, and where Jae had a ministry assignment in Atlanta. As was getting ready to board the plane I told HER how I felt about her, well, sort of. I never really came out and just said it, but made it very clear that I didn't want her to engage with anyone else. I guess that was until I had the chance to reveal the fullness of what was happening within me.

Jae: But, it was on this trip that I began to realize that he had become such a vital part of my life. If something good happened, I wanted to tell him. If something bad happened, I wanted to tell him. It was on this trip when I began to say, well, maybe. But still traumatized by my own experiences and sitting in the "no one will ever choose me" syndrome, I became dismissive. It was my dear friend who pointed out that there was much more than friendship here and then snarkily stated, "I'll wait!"

Christmas of 2022, we had our first virtual date night, and it was then realized that I didn't want anything other than to be with him. In January of 2023, we met for the first time in Houston, Tx. The nerves went away quickly, and it was like we'd known each other forever.

On Saturday, April 8, 2023, Resurrection weekend 2023, Jackie asked me to be his wife while doing what we love, having prayer and intercession. I said yes! And now we're getting married. Two people who didn't think it could be real for us; God made it be so.

God is the true author and orchestrator of this love story!

J&J