January 2003, it all began when I noticed a guy staring at me as I signed a form to get my blankets for the night. We were both in the military reserve and in the same unit. Though I had not formally met him, I discretely chose to sit next to him on the bus ride home. The moment I laid my head on this shoulder I felt warmth in my heart, and knew that he was a special person I wanted to know. I woke up with only 5 min. left before our return home and still had not spoken to him. Our short conversation was about our Lord and Savior, and our relationship with Jesus. We exchanged numbers that night and my heart melted each time we spoke and I knew he was the one. We began dating in April 03’ and he proposed on Christmas 2003 in Afghanistan. We returned home in April 04’, and took our mothers to Hawaii. It was not in our “plans,” but it was God’s plan that we were married while in Hawaii, with his hand in every part of our wedding story. I thank the Lord for my wonderful husband.

Sprinting--I grabbed the phone.

“Hello.”

“Lisa, I have someone I want you to meet,” my friend said.

“Not interested.”

“Please...he’s a wonderful, never married, Godly man…” she trailed off.

“I’m sure he’s awesome, but no.”

“Well, his name is Tony Harris should you ever visit our singles group.”

“Okay, thanks.” I said.

One year later. . .

Cautiously, I entered the ‘older singles’ group at church. Studying the room I spotted a thirty-something man acting as the room greeter. As his back was to me, I observed his average stature and balding crown. Turning, I noticed how incredibly kind his eyes were…soothing and warm. It was that moment, I heard God speak.

“Lisa, you’re to marry this man.”

I stood petrified, “Him, Lord?”

“Yes.”

He moved towards me with eyes that captured mine…saying,

“Hi, I’m Tony Harris and you are…”

“Your wife,” I thought grinning.

***

Tony noticed me across the room, “she’s the one,” he felt God saying. Shaking my hand he just ‘knew’ until, he heard me say I had two children. Then he swallowed…hard.

“Are you sure God?” he stammered.

“Yes.”

Seventeen years later...we still hear "yes."

Richard and I met in the US Army stationed at Fort Eustis located in Newport News, VA. Single and desperate, I had prayed, "Lord, send me a husband who would take care of me!" Within the next few months, Richard became interested in me and pursued me. He was a man on a mission and I became his mission. Within 6 months, he asked me to marry him. I remember arriving in the parking lot of the Justice of the Peace and Richard opening my door, before I got out of the car asking him, "Are we doing the right thing?" He firmly assured me, "Yes". We have been happily married for 32 years and continue to grow in our love for each other.