Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,—Ephesians 5:25
Matthew's side of the story:
I wasn't sure I would ever find a companion in life. I desired to find a wife to love and cherish, so I prayed to God for a virtuous woman to come into my life. I felt very undeserving for such a blessing; and, indeed, I am very undeserving for such a blessing. However, believing and trusting God to be merciful and that He would supply my needs, I set up a profile on a Christian dating website in hope that I might find that special someone. I received a few messages about my profile and made replies, but no one was a match.
One day I found a message from a beautiful woman named Jennifer in my inbox. In our exchanges, I noticed she treasured the word of God and laid it to heart. We quickly became friends and were able to share and explain our beliefs with one another. Most important was our shared belief in and about the true Lord Jesus Christ—that He died for our sins and that He appeased the wrath of God through His death on the cross as our Divine substitute. It was clear to me, from our conversations on the website, that we wanted to know more about each other. We eventually started exchanging e-mails and connecting through Facebook. I was so happy when I finally got to hear Jennifer's sweet voice—it was an audio recording of Jennifer speaking to young people about the love of God. It was wonderful when we finally started video dating and I could see and hear Jennifer—as if we were in person. I was moved by her testimony and wondered at God's work in her life. The more we talked, the more precious she became to me. I finally expressed to her my feelings for her and rejoiced that she felt the same about me. It took some time, but we eventually changed our Facebook statuses to "In a relationship."
Jennifer and I continued to talk through our computers and phones. We also sent gifts to each other. She gave me a tea infuser spoon, tea, chocolates, a valentine and a framed painting. I gave her honey, a pencil sharpener, and a life size silhouette of myself. We weren't sure when we'd get to see each other in person, but our desire to see one another was growing more and more each day. I was just finishing volunteering and working at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center and wasn't sure how I could afford to travel. Also, my parents expressed concern about me traveling alone to stay with a woman I had never met in person. Eventually, provision was made for Jennifer to travel with her mom, Sheilah, to meet my family and I. Jennifer had recently purchased a car and was actually going to drive 500+ miles to see me in California.
There was a lot of work that went in to preparing the house for Jennifer and Sheilah. The evening they were due to arrive, I anxiously looked out my window, but decided I should stand by the corner of the road, so they could spot me as they drove by the house. I was so happy that I would get to see the woman I fell in love with; I would finally get to tell her my feelings in person. Words can't adequately express my joy when I first saw Jennifer in person. I was amazed to see her and felt so special when she embraced me in a hug and held my hand. She was so beautiful. I might have proposed to her that day, if I had the engagement ring!
The week Jennifer was here went by so fast, but I am very thankful, to the Lord, for each day we spent together. I miss her so much, but I look forward to when we are married and can spend the rest of our lives together. I so long to be able to say to Jennifer, "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine!" (Song of Solomon 6:3) It is such a blessing that the Lord brought this virtuous woman into my life. I pray for the Lord's continued, countless, and undeserved blessings.
Soli Deo gloria!
~Matthew
