A Serendipitous Match Made in Heaven
It's hard to believe it's been over 21 years since I first laid eyes on my beloved husband, Ted. The story of how we met is one I cherish dearly, a testament to God's perfect timing and the power of faith.
Back in the winter of 2000, at the age of 27, I found myself at a crossroads. After several failed relationships, I fell to my knees and poured my heart out to the Lord, asking Him to bless me with the Christian man He had destined for me. I remember vividly laying my hands on the monitor of my computer and pleading with God to bring the right partner into my life. Little did I know, He was already putting the pieces in place.
Around that time, I had written a detailed list in my journal of the qualities I desired in a spouse - a man who was spiritual, caring, and compatible with my own values and dreams. I tucked that list away, doubting that such a perfect match could truly be found. How wrong I was!
A few months later, I stumbled upon a profile on oneandonly.com that immediately piqued my interest. The man in the photo, while a bit blurry, mentioned attending one of the largest churches in Sacramento - Capital Christian Center, a place I had visited and loved. Sensing a divine connection, I reached out, and soon after, Ted and I met in person at a local California Pizza Kitchen.
Our first date was a bit awkward, as we tentatively got to know each other over the course of a three-hour movie. But there was an undeniable spark, and over the next few months, our bond only grew stronger. Though I wasn't entirely sure at first if Ted was "the one," by that July, I knew without a doubt that he was the man God had handpicked for me.
When Ted shared the news of our engagement with his Canadian family, they were understandably hesitant, as I had been previously married and divorced. But from the moment I met them in December 2002, they welcomed me with open arms. Meanwhile, my own father, who lived in Thailand, flew all the way to California to meet Ted and walk me down the aisle that June.
Some may have thought us unconventional for not living together before our wedding, but Ted and I were steadfast in our decision to honor God's plan. We wanted to start our marriage on the right foot, with Christ at the center. And oh, what a beautiful day that June 2003 wedding was, surrounded by the people we loved most.
Through all the ups and downs of the past two decades, Ted has been my rock, my partner, my best friend. While we're opposites in many ways - he the pragmatic introvert, me the expressive extrovert - we've learned to balance each other perfectly. We've weathered storms, softened each other's rough edges, and grown ever closer in our faith and love.
As I reflect on our journey, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. Who would have thought that a random chance encounter on a dating website would blossom into a lifelong, God-ordained union? There are no coincidences - only the fingerprints of a loving Creator who knows the desires of our hearts better than we do ourselves. Ted is the fulfillment of that prayer I uttered all those years ago, and I can't wait to see what the next chapter holds.
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