I’m getting engaged tonight. I actually asked her last week, but tonight’s the night we pick up the ring and announce it to our friends and family. Hard to believe. A little over a year ago, I rescued a dog from the kill shelter and declared myself “officially done.”
I was slowly becoming a homebody. I turned down invitations to go out more often than not. When I did go out, my friend “T” was my weekend partner in crime. She was also the one who told me I needed to get out of the house more often.
She eventually asked me if I would ever start dating again. We had several of those conversations, and my answer eventually evolved to the following:
Look, I'm not down on love. I know several great couples at church, and for them and the other people who have found true love, more power to them. But I don't think I ever had it. Looking back, I believe settled for things like compatibility, mutual friends etc. But here's the thing: I don't have the inclination to try anymore. I'm definitely not trying to meet anyone at a bar or online. So unless God puts someone new in front of me at my little church, and it happens very organically, it's not going to happen.
But God. (I actually let my defensive walls down, and instead of saying it, I started praying it. )
And within a few months, a new lady showed up at my church. I waved to her when she walked past the media area, as I do to everyone else.
A short time later, she showed up at my home fellowship group.
Then she began serving with the Young Adults group, where I was already serving.
She went on vacation with some ladies from church. One of them suggested sending me a picture. She didn’t want to be too forward, so our mutual friend sent it instead. (I’ve already thanked her, several times, for not minding her own business and doing me the biggest solid ever.)
We had our first date on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Since then, we’ve been together or talked on the phone for at least 2 hours every night. We also do Bible study over the phone in the morning before work. Our relationship has been completely effortless. We both feel so blessed to have each other, and I have no doubt it was the Lord who brought us together.
So here’s to you, Crystal. 🥂
I Love You Very Much!! 😘
Marty, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to tell you enough how much I love and appreciate who you are. I’ll tell you this, I’ll do my best to show you every single day. Thank you for not giving up on love, letting your guard down and praying. Finally experiencing true love with you has been a blessing to me. I look forward to building a life together on the foundation of Christ our solid rock. He gets the praise and thanks for crossing our paths at our little church. Thanks, too, goes to the friend who was used to invite me into more and more shared space. I love and enjoy serving with you and cannot wait to serve alongside you. I love you, Marty!!!
Love You More!! 😘