How did you meet? What was your first date like? Give us all the details!
My fiancé’s ChristianMingle account had been open for a while and he had decided that if he didn’t meet anyone by a specific date, he was going to just stop trying. I became a widow in the fall of 2014 and in late spring 2015, I felt ready to start dating but was very nervous about online dating. I kept feeling this nudge telling me to “just open an account, the ball will be in your court.” I know now it was God who kept nudging and encouraging me to open my account.

It took a lot of convincing, but I opened my account on a Tuesday and on Thursday my fiancé and I starting messaging back and forth. By Monday, we were talking on the phone and by Friday, we were on our first date! We went to a baseball game with a group from his church, and I remember he showed up in sunglasses and I wanted to take them off so I could see his eyes. When we were seated he finally took them off and I couldn’t help but gaze into his eyes for a long time. We hit it off immediately. We don’t remember much about the game other than the home team won. Afterwards, he took me to dinner and we couldn’t stop talking. We didn’t say goodbye until almost 4 am! Best first date ever!

We’ve had many memorable moments over the last year and a half. The time we drove home from meeting his parents for the first time and I had a terrible stomach ache, he was so sweet and funny! When we were rolling on the floor laughing because I say Tootsie Roll incorrectly, which is why he calls me Tootsie now! When we went to a Jewish deli and he tried to order a ham sandwich which is how he got his nickname, Hammy! Our common love of laughter has given us a lot of joy!

Both of us enjoy traveling; we have been blessed to have been able to travel quite a bit in the time we’ve been together. At the start of our most recent trip, I caused us to miss our flight. I had packed my large shampoo and conditioner bottles in my carry on and tried to check the bag at the last minute. I ended up throwing it away and when we finally got to the window the plane was gone. We arrived at the airport two hours before takeoff and one minute before it was scheduled to take off we showed up at the gate. I was so upset, but he was so calm and reassuring and helped me regain my composure.

On day three of the trip, we were walking in Central Park when he strayed off the beaten path and started taking pictures. I followed and after taking a couple shots asked if he was ready to go and he said, “I’m not done with you yet. Can I ask you a question?” I nervously said “Yes.” He proceeded to take a box out of his pocket and got down on one knee and I immediately started kissing him! He proposed when I let him catch his breath, and I said “YES!”

Describe the moment you knew it was true love!
I knew it was true love when I saw the way he responded when I confessed I had felt fear about the longevity of our relationship. He was so patient and reassuring and told me he wasn’t going anywhere. When we would have disagreements, he would tell me, “It’s going to take a lot more than that to scare me away.” I knew by the way he would hold my hand at just the right time and say exactly what I was thinking. When he looks into my eyes and says “I love you,” I know it’s real by the look in his eyes. The feelings I have when we are together and apart have, over time, solidified a feeling I knew was there from pretty much the beginning of our relationship. It wasn’t one moment that did it, but many little moments over time that made me realize this is true love.

What advice would you give other ChristianMingle members?
Have faith in God. If you’re meant to be with someone, God will find a way for the two of you to meet. My fiancé and I could have met a few other ways, but ChristianMingle is the avenue God chose to bring us together. Be open to where He wants to lead you. ‘”For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Did you find love online? Submit your story to share how you met your soulmate on ChristianMingle.