Sometimes, love finds you when you least expect it. We met online, both moments away from deleting Facebook Dating, when our smiles stopped each other in our tracks. Matt remembers seeing my smile and thinking, “I need to see what she is about.” From the first message, we were drawn to each other. Before long, we had both deleted our dating apps, knowing we had found something special.

Our first date was over breakfast after one of my night shifts. Despite my exhaustion, I was completely captivated by Matt—his presence, his warmth, and the way he just had to touch me, even if only to rest his hand on my knee. He tried to be respectful, but the connection between us was undeniable. We hugged at the end of that first date, and we both knew—we couldn’t wait to see each other again.

From that day on, our conversations never stopped. We sent each other what felt like novels over text, learning more and more about each other with every message. It quickly became clear that our lives had been running parallel long before we met. We had lived in the same apartment complex, attended the same high school with some of the same teachers, and even had homes just five minutes apart in the same town. It was as if God had been leading us toward each other all along, just waiting for the right moment to bring us together.

As our love grew, so did our family. The most natural next step was introducing our children, and seeing them embrace each other was one of the greatest joys of our relationship. Leo and Aurora love Matt so much that they call him Dad, and I have cherished getting to know and love Matt’s children, Piper, Boomer, and Wyatt, as well. Together, we are blending our families with love, patience, and laughter, creating a home where our children feel safe and cherished.

But beyond the love we have found in each other, our relationship has also deepened our faith. Through our journey—our pasts, our struggles, and our triumphs—we have come to see God’s hand in every part of our story. Meeting Matt after my darkest season showed me how deeply God loves me. His love is not just redemption, but restoration. And together, we are honoring Christ in our relationship, knowing that He brought us together for a purpose greater than ourselves.

Now, as we prepare for this next chapter, we look forward to a lifetime of love, laughter, and faith—building a beautiful life and a strong foundation for our family.