The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways.
For years across Arizona they would pass each other; grocery stores, restaurants and other crowded venues, yet never met. When it mattered most, weeks before the world shut down, was the girl and guy who parked across from one another to finally lock eyes and introduce themselves.
Under lockdown, these two former strangers would find solace and comfort in one another. Learn first to support one another, trust each other, get to know one another first as friends and confidants.
It's strange how well you get to know someone when thrust into a small space with uncertainty abound. They'd share much about life, growing up, life's hardships and celebratory moments. In doing so they'd each discovered a commonality that was more than familiar. A natural comradery as each view on life's more common points of conflict didn't seem to exist. Likeminded, focused and driven toward a common place, beliefs that would lend to a strong foundation.
He would ask her 'to go steady'. She'd reply 'yes'. He'd text his older brother to share the news 'I have a girlfriend'.
She had spent years in the town they'd meet. It wasn't until February of 2020 that she'd been back since college apart from visiting. Away from most friends and family she was most familiar. He having grown up there, would take her to a special place in his heart. Somewhere which overlook the city they now lived. A place he knew as an adolescent. From this moutainside, he would ask her to be his bride.
Not knowing that decades prior the love of his life was 130 miles away. It would take God's divine plan to place them at just the right time 130 steps apart.
Then, March 13, 2021, they would decide to be wed.
Through the trials and tribulations, beauty and pain that had brought them each to their place, in accordance to God's divine plan. they would find companionship. Drawing more strength from one another, they would find a partner.
Both believers in God's will. Recipients of God's grace.
Stephen and Courtney would set a date.