We’re getting married!

It all began by responding to a prompt on Hinge about breakfast burritos. After many months on the dating app, I didn’t have high hopes, but I decided to shoot my shot. Here was a beautiful woman, who based on her profile was a Disney fan, rocked out to the Jonas Brothers and best of all, loved Jesus. To my delight, about 4 hours later I got a match and response. The conversation continued, filled with interest and intrigue, ranging from Dutch Bros, to our jobs and hobbies, to the Kings vs Lakers. It didn’t take long for me to know she was someone worth pursuing and ask out on a date. Our first date was February 23, 2023 at Me Gusta Tacos in Henderson. I had been on a few “first dates” during this season, but this one was different. Beauty, joy and positive energy emanated from her. Throughout the conversation I could see her heart for the Lord and her genuine interest in me as a person. This was something special. This was something that God had been orchestrating behind the scenes without either of us knowing. This was the beginning of a life changing moment in our lives.

It had been a while since I went on my first date and I was finally ready to put myself out there. I remember coming home from church on a Sunday and thinking to myself, “Wow, I have time”. Usually I am busy meeting up with a friend, catching up with a loved one via phone call, or getting something to eat with church friends, but on this particular day I actually had time to simply be. So, kind of out of boredom, I decided to download a dating app, Hinge. I was never really one to engage in online dating because of how fixed I was on meeting someone naturally like in the movies. But again, on this day, I had time. So, after saying a prayer for God’s guidance in the process and letting my small group know what I was getting myself into (shoutout to Freya and Sam!)I went on the app and started my search. All I knew I was looking for was someone who loved God as much as I did. After a few X’s on some profiles, I was directed to Steven’s profile and was drawn to so many things: he was looking for someone who had a relationship with the Lord, he played basketball (the only sport I really watched growing up because of my dad and sister, Kim), and was a talented artist (check out his drawings, @stevenjames6 on Instagram!). But even with all of that, I actually still X’ed him out of my options because I was too scared he would actually be interested back. I slept on it and the next day, lo and behold, he had popped up on my matches and replied to one of my prompts about breakfast burritos (my favorite food). After looking back on his profile and really thinking and praying about it, I clearly remember thinking to myself “that would be crazy if this all actually worked out”, and accepted his message so I could message him back. It was from there that the conversation went back and forth with replies in the form of paragraphs. It was enough to make me think a date would be best to continue the conversation. He asked me to go on a date with him in the next couple of days and little did I know that would be the start of a beautiful relationship with the man who I will soon marry. I thank the Lord for how He orchestrated every detail in the process. If it wasn’t for Him and for how He placed certain circumstances and people in our lives, we would not be where we are today. Soli deo gloria, to the glory of God alone!