“I have found the one whom my soul loves.” Song of Solomon 3:4

Renie and I met on an online dating platform called SyroMatch. He is from Detroit (later moved to Austin) and I live in Miami. It still baffles me that some extraordinarily special people can come into your life at the most unexpected times and make it so that you can’t imagine life without them.

It felt like a fairy tale, but with fewer glass slippers and with more texting and Facetime calls. Our first weekend in person was like a dining reservation blooper reel. I had planned an entire weekend to show Renie around Miami, but life managed to throw us several curveballs, as it often does. I got sick just before that weekend and managed to make us miss 80% of our dinner reservations. That weekend showed us that when you are with the right person it doesn’t matter when things don’t go according to plan. It was still one of our favorite weekends of all time. In between Renie meticulously taking care of me and making me laugh when I was feeling down, I saw my future with him as my husband. My heart felt at peace with him. I have prayed for the man I would marry since I was in high school. God answered our prayers in ways we could not have even thought to ask for.

I have nicknamed Renie the king of thoughtful gifts. For example, on our first Christmas he created me a fake prescription bottle (since I am a pharmacist) holding 90 capsules inside. The inside of each capsule contained unique, remarkably sweet handwritten notes. I was absolutely floored by the thought and care he put into that gift. Renie adorably named it “Renietocin”, a playful nod to the love hormone oxytocin.

Renie proposed to me at Schnebly Redland’s Winery with words I will hold in my heart forever:

“The reason why I wanted to bring you to Schnebly’s was not only because this was our first date spot, but it was when I realized that I wanted to be with you for the rest of my life. Every sample of wine that we tried, led me to gaze into your eyes. I forgot everything that was going on around us. I knew from that moment on that I wanted to be your soulmate, your protector, and your best friend. I love that you lift me up at times where I don’t even believe in myself, I love your angelic soul, and I love how your radiant, beautiful smile lights up the room. I’m thankful to the Lord that he gave me the greatest gift. I can’t imagine spending my life without you.”

It was the easiest yes of my life. And the rest is history. Two strangers from Detroit and Miami met and found their forever in each other. And we owe it all to God and the amazing app SyroMatch for bringing us together.