The Path to Us: A Story of Growth, Faith, and Perfect Timing

Growing up, life has a way of taking us on different journeys to teach us who we are. Back in junior high, Ray and I were simply great friends. He was always full of life and flirtatious energy, and while I always thought he was cute, I was the serious one with big plans to take care of business. We were in entirely different spaces; he still had some growing up to do, and I was focused on the future. Little did I know back then, he was secretly singing Can We Talk in his head—to him, I was already his Dreamgirl.

But our paths weren't meant to cross romantically yet. We went our separate ways, built our lives, and poured everything into raising our families. For over 25 years, our lives were entirely separate. We never crossed paths, never spoke, and had absolutely no connection.

That all changed because of one mutual friend’s 50th birthday party. If not for that single evening, our paths might never have crossed again.

At the time, life had brought heavy seasons for both of us. Ray was navigating the profound loss of his parents. I was walking through my own deep valley of heartache and pain at home, facing the devastating loss of my father, turning 50 myself, and realizing that the life I had built was missing the true partnership and support I needed. When we unexpectedly ran into each other at that party, we didn't find romance right away—we found a lifeline. Through the sharing of God’s word and daily devotions, we became a safe space for one another when we simply needed a friend to lean on.

What I didn't know then was that Ray eventually began creating distance. Seeing me at that party had brought all his junior high feelings rushing back to the surface. He later shared that while he might not have fully understood what love was as a teenager, he now knows that what he felt for me all along was the real thing. He chose to step back and give me space out of pure respect for me and my family.

We choose to pursue God first and grow in our faith together. I watched Ray transform. Seeing him grow intentionally into a devoted, God-fearing man who took his spiritual and personal growth seriously, changed everything. Slowly, beautifully, a friendship that started decades ago blossomed into a lifelong love.

Ray became my safe place, my comfort, and my absolute joy—the other half that makes me laugh, appreciates life, and now we look forward to the future. Through the grace of God, His divine timing, and a path we both accept as our true calling, we are putting Him first to ensure our life together endures in this world and beyond.

We took a 25-year scenic route, but looking at him now, the truth is clear:

It’s Always Been You.

I'll Risk it All for You.