Introduction: I Found the One My Soul Loves

Like nearly every other important thing in my life, my love story came about in the most surprising and impossible way.

And when I did finally recognize it (seven years into the making), I knew one day I would have to write it all down. Because from the very beginning, this story has been so much bigger than two people in love. This story, like every story that is good and true, has really only ever been about one thing—the heart of its Author.

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I’ll do my best to be honest. I make a mess everywhere I go, and falling in love has been no different. Still, when the dust clears and the bruises fade, I have no doubt: this story will be beautiful.

I know, because it already has been.

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But, before I go further, I should warn you: there are also many things this story is not.

It is not the secret to finding the love of your life.

It is not a formula for you to follow.

It is not a promise that you will get married today, or tomorrow, or next year, or ever.

So please don’t attempt to model your story after mine, or wonder where you’re going wrong because the lines our lives trace are far from parallel. My story is different than yours. And that is not something for us to be afraid of. Our Father is the maker of infinite variety and beauty, and He has marvels enough for the both of us.

This is simply a tiny, tiny glimpse into a few of those marvels, as they have manifested in my life: the beauty of God’s faithfulness—His grace—His tender response to a broken and surrendered and obedient heart in the life of a silly boy who (by some merciful miracle), became the walking, breathing embodiment of a love that always hopes—and a stubborn girl who (after years of a refusal to acknowledge any future other than the one her imagination had already crafted), finally opened her eyes to a dream that was better.