I would like to tell you about one of my favorite love stories.
I have had quite a dating history. There was a season when I felt like I was living as a reality TV bachelorette. It was overwhelming, exhilarating, exhausting, yet fun! Then, after another devastating break-up, my heart needed a ‘man cleanse’. During this time, I prayed a 54-day rosary novena for my future husband. The intent of the novena was not so I found him, but that whoever he may be, he was growing in virtue.
Fast forward a few months and I decided to take a risk and set up an online dating profile. I took advantage of the fact I was living at home and relied on my dad’s input as I began matching with potential prospects. Once again, I was living a ‘bachelorette’ lifestyle as I talked, dated, and sifted through the men I met online.
I was on a date with another guy when Dylan initially messaged me. I found myself calling him before and sometimes after dates with other guys. It wasn’t long before I knew there was something special about him and nobody else made me feel the way he did.
Our first date was casual. We ate burgers and strawberry shakes in the bed of the pick-up truck before heading to a county park to walk around. On our second date, we sat on a park bench and talked for hours. I quickly made the realization that around the same time I was praying my rosary novena, he was beginning to take initiative with his own faith. We went to daily mass on our third date. The rest is history! The Lord answered my prayer!
Still to this day, I am unsure of how Dylan pulled off our engagement story! It was my idea to grab a coffee and a doughnut before going on a walk. We drove to our favorite park where we enjoyed our doughnut. Knowing we both had to get to work later that day I was restless but Dylan insisted on checking out the fishing pier where he got down on one knee. When I asked him about his plan, he said he knew he wanted to get engaged at that park and knew it would be on that day but just relied on the Holy Spirit to make it happen. Once again, the Lord was working within our relationship.
We decided to have a winter wedding. Regardless of the snowstorms and glacial cold temperatures, the church was full of guests who later filled the dance floor. I requested the organ to be played for most of the ceremony. Our accompanist, who is a good friend and knows our love of the organ, surprised us! As I walked down the aisle, she used the glockenspiel feature and brought Dylan to tears. It felt surreal to hear ‘Mr. and Mrs. Thomas’ as we left the church as husband and wife. Our wedding day was nothing short of magical!
We are now a year and a half into our married life. With each day that passes, I am learning how well Dylan completes me. He is the calm to my storm and the spiritual leader that I need. All I can do is praise God for placing Dylan into my life.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the vocation of marriage. Thank you for revealing Your heart to me through the love of my husband. May we continue to grow closer to You as we build our life together. May our love be a witness to Your love to the world. Amen.
Until next time, your sister in Christ,
Abby