I signed up on ChristianMingle not looking or expecting to enter into such a serious relationship. We first met on the site on October 10, 2011, which turned into a relationship November 19, 2011. Chris lived in Sydney, Australia, while I live in Southern California. I remember getting frustrated with the settings because the site kept bringing this guy from Australia up as a close match for me!
I originally thought that it was ridiculous to date someone so far away. However, not too long after talking, Chris told me he was going to come to America! I thought he was joking, but he is a man of his word. Soon enough, we met on January 10, 2012 for the first time and spent the day at Santa Monica beach. We greatly enjoyed his first trip to Disneyland, his first huge American roller coasters, a hot air balloon ride, a trip up the West Coast to San Francisco, and then it was time for goodbyes. By that time, I realized that it was true. ChristianMingle was absolutely right, he wasn’t just a close match for me, but the one God picked out for me from all the way across the world.
Around 6 months later, I was on my way to Sydney, arriving on July 1st. During this trip, the Lord showed me what a treasure I had found in this man. He had the most wonderful, welcoming family, clearly full of God’s love. Two days after my arrival, we jumped out of a plane and enjoyed skydiving for the first time! I believed that was the fastest way to see all of Sydney at once! We celebrated our birthdays the same week, his is July 19th and mine is July 25th. We took a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, swam with sting rays, sharks and huge beautiful fish in the crisp clear turquoise water. We faced our fears, kept a strong long distance relationship, spending time in God’s word over Skype, and throughout the process realized we are each other’s best friend. I remember clinging on to his hand with tears streaming down our faces barely able to let go as I walked through the doors to board the plane home. The last thing I heard was him saying, “I love you!” but I was already out of his sight.
After that trip, we had a 7 month separation. Every time at the airport it felt like love at first site, our first date moment all over again. Now we know our kind of relationship is meant to last a lifetime. He arrived February 28, 2013. He took me to Santa Monica Beach on April 3rd late one afternoon, where we first met. We went by the water, which gave me suspicion of a proposal, but nothing happened. He then took me horseback riding by the beach in Topanga Canyon off the coast. He asked me to get off the horse, walked me to the most beautiful spot, knelt down on one knee, and asked me to marry him! He has now moved to the U.S. permanently and we have our wedding date set for December 7, 2013. I always dreamed of finding Chris since I was a little girl. ChristianMingle not only allowed us to connect from across the world, but allowed us to receive God’s gift and blessing, showing us what true love is.