We never imagined we would find ourselves as single parents in our 30’s, but the years afterwards taught both of us that it’s never our plan anyway.

While my faith was being rekindled, I created profiles on other secular dating sites. All of my experiences on those sites proved to be repetitive and fruitless.  As time passed, I re-evaluated how I was going about my search, and seeing the advertisements for ChristianMingle.com, I decided to setup a profile in search of someone that sought the same spiritual foundation and desires.

In addition to setting up a profile with a Christian dating site, I decided to change my written profile.  Instead of trying to sell myself by listing crazy things I would like to do with someone, I decided to offer who I really was without all the glitz.  I also took advantage of the Compass Search and described the qualities I desired in a companion which included someone local, single, stable, and an independent mother who sought God first in everything and desired His model for marriage and family.

As time went by, I met some faithful and obedient individuals, but each never fully matched what I felt God wanted for my children and me – nor was there ever the spiritual or emotional connection I needed in order to move forward.  Little did I know that with each meeting, God was preparing me relationally and growing me spiritually to become the man, husband, father and spiritual leader He’s called me to be for His best – my future wife and our children.

After some sporadic contact, I further compared mine and Dana’s Compass results and looking closer at her profile and browsing her pictures, I was soon filled with both comfort and optimism.  How could I have not seen this at first sight?

After progressing from ChristianMingle messages to e-mail, to phone calls, and to text messages, we decided to meet one evening after work for conversation.  I immediately had an amazing sense of comfort and connection with Dana, and  before even being seated at the restaurant; she knew I was the man she’d marry.

We continued to have frequent conversations around the critical issues to single parents and arranged meetings around not having our children so that we could continue to get to know each other.  In the time together that followed, we realized that not only had God been preparing us individually, He had been preparing us for each other through more recent experiences, even during the time we weren’t in touch. God continued to show His favor as we met each other’s children and eventually introduced them to each other.  Soon after, our parents have met and we began attending church together.  And most importantly, we began praying together.

In Dana’s words, “Bryan’s proposal on May 30, 2013 was incredibly special and a memory that I will always treasure.  I was moved to tears by the words God led him to say and the way in which he proposed.  Thanks be to God! I have met my best friend, soul mate, and lifelong companion. We are planning to be married this fall and couldn’t be happier.”

When asked how we met, neither of us hesitates to share that it was via ChristianMingle. Our ultimate goal in life is to bring God glory in all that we do – and if meeting by a vessel such as ChristianMingle, He deserves all the glory for our new found marital relationship and family.

It’s the most amazing experience when you begin to see God’s plan for your life unfold after submitting yourself to His will and HIS best. 

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

“He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life.” (Ecc 3:11-12 HCSB)