Thomas’ Story
Our relationship began as about 1/3 of all modern relationships do: Online. We were both on ChristianMingle when it all began. I really don’t know what drove both of us to go on the site. I figured I would look just for fun. After viewing a few people, I came across Paola’s profile. There really wasn’t much on there at the time, but she stood out to me. She had a sweet smile and inviting eyes. I HAD to know more. We eventually messaged each other, and shortly after that we began to talk on the phone.
The first time we met, I didn’t know what to expect. I wanted to meet her in DC (the halfway point between where we lived) but she insisted that we meet at her church. I obliged, and then I realized I got myself into something much deeper than I expected. Not only did I meet her for the first time, face-to-face, but I also met her mother! And then I met her brother, sister-in-law, aunts and uncles, and cousins. To say the least, it was overwhelming. But, it was worth it. I got to see who she was, and how her family is such a big part of her life. She, on the other hand, got to see how much I valued her. After that, we went on a few dates, and on December 9th, I officially asked her out. We have been together for over two years already!
How He Proposed:
In April 2014, Paola and I took a trip to El Salvador, to do mission work with a group of teens. I told myself that this would be the time that I would propose to her. After a few months of preparing and trying to think of an inventive way to propose, it finally came time to leave for the trip. We spent most of our week doing hard labor, getting very dirty and sweaty. Yet, even though we were together on the trip, I didn’t see her much. Finally, on the last day of our trip, the group went to a resort to unwind and relax. I was finally able to spend some quality time with her! All throughout the trip, and especially the day of the proposal, a few people who knew my secret kept bugging me on when I was going to do it, which only served to frighten me! Finally, around sunset I asked her to go take some pictures with me at the beach. On the way over, I was a nervous wreck, trying to keep it all together. I am still surprised she never caught on the entire time.
We were taking a few pictures together, and I realized that I hadn’t thought of a good way to propose, so I decided to wing it. While she was taking pictures of us, I pulled out the ring and put it over her shoulder in the picture. So, as she was looking at the pictures, she saw the ring in one of them. She laughed lightly, and said “Are you joking me?”
As she turned around to look at me, I dropped to my knee and proposed to her. Unfortunately, the thing I always wanted to avoid doing happened: I grabbed the wrong hand!
After a moment of shock, she said yes and we were both very happy.
I can only describe the experience as being similar to sky diving. The entire time you are waiting to jump, you heart begins to race, questions rush through your head, you think about pulling back. BUT, at some point you just tell yourself you have to do it. You don’t know why you have to do it. You might not even have the most rational reasons for doing it. But, something draws you to that point where you have to jump. Even though I was really nervous, I jumped, and I do not regret it at all. She is the love of my life, and I knew that we were meant for each other from the first time I saw her smiling face.
Paola’s Story:
I went on ChristianMingle because I didn’t have time meet people, so I decided to give it a try! But not knowing that it costs money to become a subscriber, I just created a free profile. A few weeks later I started to receive smiley faces from other people… some were crazy! But one day I receive a “Smile” from Thomas, and although I could not see much of the profile, I could see that he stated he believed in God and wanted to serve Him. That and the fact that he spoke Spanish clicked with me – and I have to say he has a lovely smile.
From my side, I had asked God to allow me to meet the man that he had for me in my church so “he” would know from the start what I was about, and if after that he would still return, it was because he was “The One.”