God has always been intentional with our story.

We first met on January 1st at The Perfecting Church's New Year’s Eve After Party. Just moments earlier, a video played during the service where Mike shared the loss of his wife. His testimony moved me to tears, and I prayed for him. I did not know that a brief exchange, barely a minute long, would become the beginning of something God had already written.

After that night, he stayed heavy on my heart and mind. I prayed honestly. God, if we are not meant to meet again, hide me from him.

That Sunday, January 5th, everything felt different. I arrived late, something I never do, and sat quietly in the back. I am usually in the third row. There was no way he would see me. At one point during service, he stood and looked around. I smiled to myself, thinking there was no way he could be looking for me.

After church, I planned to leave quickly as usual, but that day slowed me down. Two coworkers spotted me and called me over. As we talked, Michael walked by, stopped, and smiled. There you are, he said. You disappeared at the party.

What I did not know then was that after our first meeting, he noticed me in quiet ways that mattered. He went to get me water. He waited. As I walked out, he positioned himself at the door and held it open. Before I fully left, he asked me a question. He asked if I was married. When I said no, he asked if he could get to know me. I said yes.

We exchanged numbers. I told him I would call later that evening because I was on my way to a funeral. Before two hours passed, my phone rang. It was him. He was nervous. He had written his number down incorrectly and was calling to give me the correct one. I smiled, thanked him, and called him later as promised. We talked the night away. That surprised me. I did not think we would have much to talk about or much in common. I was wrong.

Conversation came easily. Two-hour talks became our rhythm. On January 8th, we went on our first official date. Biblically, eight represents new beginnings. It fit us perfectly.

This love did not rush. It unfolded. Prayer followed. Reflection followed. Peace followed. On January 12th, early in the morning, God confirmed what our hearts were already beginning to know. This was not accidental. This was ordered. This was divine.

There were moments of fear. Moments when I want to protect my heart. Not because I did not care, but because I had been hurt before. Through it all, he remained steady. He reassured me. He saw the fear and met it with patience and love.

He is my person. There is no doubt. He brings me peace, joy, patience, and love. I am not a replacement. I am God’s assignment for him. He is God’s assignment for me. We were made to love one another with intention and purpose.

This is love after loss. Not replacement, but redemption. Proof that God restores. Proof that He rebuilds. Proof that He breathes new life where pain once lived.

As we step into this new beginning, God keeps uncovering His kindness toward us, layer by layer, moment by moment.

This is where our story rests. In gratitude. In faith. On the love ground.