Mark and I met in June of 2012. I guess you could say it’s a very modern love story because we met on ChristianMingle! Growing up a ‘third culture kid’ as a missionary kid in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and spending most of my life in the states befriending international students, exchange students, and going on mission trips…I knew I needed to find someone who understood my passion for life overseas and for helping those in need.

I decided to try the online dating scene a few times throughout the years and each time it was such a disappointment. In February of 2012 I decided to give it a shot “one last time”. My mother encouraged me to try ChristianMingle. I waited awhile and without telling anyone, I started my subscription. I just wasn’t connecting with anyone until I saw a “Hello” Email from Mark. His smile blew me away. I clicked on his pic and was like, “WHOA!!!! HE’S HOT!! “ 

I waited a few days, still hesitant and afraid of disappointment. I knew I couldn’t base my reply solely on looks so I waited a week before I just took the plunge and wrote him back. It was the best decision I ever made! We immediately hit it off.

Once he told me he grew up as a missionary kid, too, we had a million things to talk about! He asked if I’d ever want to live overseas or teach overseas, he asked me how I felt about connecting with and serving people from developing countries, and at that point, I knew. We clicked and we haven’t stopped talking since.

Mark drove out to Phoenix from Santa Fe to meet me and my mother after spending everyday talking and video chatting for a month on ChristianMingle. He stayed at a local hotel for an entire week and we planned tons of activities to do while he was in town. We were both amazed at how well we got along and how much we both wanted a healthy relationship that honored God and our families.

A month and a half after his first visit, I was offered a job near his hometown where his family lived and I took the plunge, moved, and started a new teaching career. Just three months later, we were engaged. It blew us away how each step was so carefully laid out with God’s guidance. Everything just fell into place.

Mark and I just bought a house and our wedding is July 6, 2013. He will be moving into the house after our wedding. I cannot wait to marry this guy! He is everything I couldn’t even imagine for myself, but God knew exactly what I needed and I know we both feel beyond blessed. God is good. He is faithful and He is so gracious. Mark has become my best friend, my confidant, my boyfriend, my fiancé and soon he will be my husband and I cannot thank God enough for bringing him into my life.

ChristianMingle worked for us! It took time and it took perseverance to push through disappointment and fear, but it was so worth it. Thank you for helping make this possible!