David Speaks On How He Knew

Wedding Anniversary Date: September 4, 2006

How he knew his wife was the one for him:

“After not wanting to be monogamous after a terrible relationship in the past, I prayed for an absolute answer. I didn't want to be a player anymore, because it was getting boring--- for me it was too easy to meet women and because of my intellect it was too easy to get what I wanted. I was totally honest, simple and plain... and I gave up on all women for a certain point in time.

Then, by surprise, my wife approached me. We dated for awhile and two years later, I realized God gave me exactly what I asked forand needed in a woman. ASK AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU. ”

What he loves about her mind: As I grew older, I had to learn exactly what I wanted in a mate...better yet what I needed because sometimes that differs. I love her smarts because she's a thinker, and she really avoids making major mistakes.

What he loves about her body: Her looks are more than enough to keep my attention---no matter who may enter the room.

What he loves about her spirit: She's a person who doesn't speak unless spoken to...as myself. We are both reserved and quiet-spirited...and Christian-minded .

David's advice to single men about marriage:

“To the single guys that may feel like they are ready for marriage know this: I feel that you must learn to become exactly what it is that you want from someone else before you place yourself in someone's life. If you like an honest person - become that. If you like a hard working person-become that. Your actual traits are what's important to a marriage longevity.”

Marcella Speaks On How She Knew

Wedding Anniversary Date: July 5, 1998

How she knew her husband was the one for her:

“When I knew Brian was the one...Brian moved to Nashville after attending college in Alabama and began attending my home church. We both enjoyed being a part of the hospital ministry and attending the singles intimacy classes. We also had mutual friends, so we spent lots of time together outside of church. During this time, I knew he was attracted to me and I was only interested in being his friend. Deep inside I knew that the next relationship I would be in would be my last. God had just delivered me from a disastrous relationship and I was in no rush to begin a new one.

I was impressed with Brian's commitment to God and he was easy to talk to. Over time we began talking on the phone more and more often and for longer periods of time. I continued to deny that anything was happening even though it was apparent to others(Shellie knows this all to well).

One evening, Brian and I sat on his couch watching my favorite movie, 'Like Water for Chocolate'. When the movie was over, to my surprise, Brian called me a liar and threw me out of his apartment! He told me that I liked him and lied to him by not telling him.(I told him during a previous conversation that if I ever changed my mind about being interested in him, I'd let him know.) He said that he was not going to continue to talk to me on the phone...hang out with me...or allow me to lean on him, if I could not admit the truth; therefore our relationship was over.

Being the stubborn woman that I so often am, I sat in my car outside his apartment for a long time considering whether or not I wanted to throw this opportunity away. I tried to turn on the car and drive away, but I could not do it! I knew that if I left, I would be throwing away one of the most precious relationships I'd ever have.

I went upstairs, threw his roommate out of their apartment---sorry Myon---and made the necessary confessions. Needless to say, it was one of the smartest things I've done, and one of the greatest things I've ever risked my heart, emotions, and vulnerability for!

So, for all the ladies who are like I was: controlling, stubborn, and down right SCARED to trust your heart totally and completely in someone else's care, take a risk: IT IS WORTH IT!”

What she loves about his mind: Brian is one of the smartest people I know. He is wise and God has gifted him with discernment. My mom even says,"Ask Brian what he thinks about it; he has good insight.

What she loves about his body: The way my head fits perfectly under his arm when snuggling...the way his heartbeat doubles when I lay on his chest...and his hands. Thank you God for B's hands. Hallelujah!!

What she loves about his spirit: He listens to the Holy Spirit.

Marcella's advice to single women about marriage:

“Pray. DON'T RUSH. Wait on God. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Don't search for him; let him search for you. Just because he wants you, looks good, and has what you think you need, that doesn't mean God wants him for you! Finally, be the wife God has called you to be right now, while you are single. He has a plan for you---a purpose for you to fulfill. Don't get so caught up in the future and what God is going to do for you, that you miss what He is doing for you right now and what He wants you to do for Him.

I Corinthians 2: 6-10 (Message) says, “We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it's not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don't find it lying around on the surface. It's not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven't a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn't have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross. That's why we have this Scripture text:
No one's ever seen or heard anything like this,
Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—
What God has arranged for those who love him.
But you've seen and heard it because God, by his Spirit, has brought it all out into the open before you.”

(Side note: I added the bold.)

Stracee Speaks On How She Knew

Wedding Anniversary Date: August 15, 1996

How she knew her husband was the one for her:

“Even as a young girl, I had aspirations of being a great wife and mother. Don't misunderstand, I had educational and career-oriented goals as well...but having a solid family has always been important to me. So, when I prayed to God about who my husband would be, I knew he had to have the same beliefs in God, family, and marriage.

When I met my husband, I did not immediately think he was the one. I actually thought he was pretending to be someone he was not. I thought , 'He's good looking, he's nice, but I'm sure there's a fool in there somewhere.' Well, he may drive me crazy sometimes, but he is definitely no fool.

A few days before I met him, I had a dream that I was getting married but I could not see the groom's face. I never really thought much about that dream until later on in our relationship. It was going to take more than a dream for me to know. For me, I knew he would be my husband when I saw him interact with my family. I come from a highly maternal family which can breed a struggle for control. He was great with them. He got along well with my parents, but it was how my grandmother discerned him that made me take a realistic look at who he was and who he could be.

My grandmother passed away in 1995, but she always spoke highly of my husband and called him 'Son'. My grandmother was always kind to everyone, but she did not invite everyone into our family circle. This was definitely a privilege. From that point, I paid more attention to what God and family meant to him. It was then that I saw we had the same beliefs.

Now, did we move in God's timing? No, and we have had to go through and overcome avoidable hardship because of that, but at the end of the day, we share the same beliefs. We stand on the same foundation...we believe we must operate in the principles of God...we cannot stop communicating no matter what...oh, and laughter is critical.”

What she loves about his mind: He is a critical thinker. He says the most profound things. I don't think he knows the depth of his intellect.

What she loves about his body: His hands are soothing like a hot cup of tea on a cold rainy day. They calm me and can heal the deepest sense of hurt. I also love his lips. They are just plain beautiful!

What she loves about his spirit: He is so very generous. He will literally give you the shirt off his back.

Stracee's advice to single women about marriage:

“Three things my grandmother used to say to me were 'Talk sweet, look nice, and don't spend up all his money'. I took these to heart while dating and especially in my marriage. Ladies, it is important to just be nice. I come across so many women with bad attitudes and backbiting spirits. It is very unbecoming and attracts confusion. No man wants to be around that. I believe it talks in Proverbs of sweet words being healing to the bones. Being kind and genuinely complimenting your mate does so much for him in the natural and in the spiritual realm.

Don't let yourself go. Look nice. I believe this is self-explanatory.

Lastly, a broke man is never satisfied and a man that feels like your ATM will eventually become disengaged and resentful. One more thing: Get to know your mate's family. Listen to family stories and what they say your mate was like growing up. Watch how he interacts with his family. This will give you insight into what characteristics your mate has and has the potential to show.”

Ainsley Speaks On How She Knew

Wedding Anniversary Date: December 29, 2005

How she knew her husband was the one for her:

“In February 2002, I was working at a local real estate company and we had just hired a technology vendor from Minnesota. We had numerous problems with their product during the initial stages of implementation and I was given the task of working with their customer service department to resolve issues as they cropped up. After some weeks of this, the vendor decided to assign us one particular customer service rep that would deal exclusively with us, and that rep's name was David McDougal.

So on a nearly daily basis, I would call with a long list of issues that needed to be resolved. During these long phone conversations, at some point David and I would get into 'Hey, how is your day going?"'etc., etc. As the months progressed, we were becoming closer friends---calling each other on the weekends to say 'Hi', and chatting on the way home from work by cell phone. For my own part, I had no idea what to do about this guy because he lived so far away and I could not see anything happening between us. All I knew was that I felt so incredibly close to him and we talked about EVERYTHING. Our conversations were so natural and easy --- it was an almost unreal feeling because I could never have imagined such a relationship.

Regardless, I was determined not to get overly-emotional because I was too busy living my life and building my business to be distracted by some guy! There was even this three week period where he avoided talking to me for no reason in the fall of 2002.

In January 2003, there was an opportunity for David to look at a job here in the DC area. The real estate company I was working for was looking to expand their IT department and they flew him out here that month for an interview. I still remember picking him up at National Airport on Friday night (where we saw each other in person for the first time) and I thought, 'Wow! He is even taller than I thought, but very cute!' Even then, I fought my feelings and was determined to keep it a relaxed weekend for his interview.

To keep a long story short, they hired him, and on April 1, 2003 he started the job.

Over the next five months we grew closer and closer as friends. David always had this habit of saying, 'Well, when we are dating…' And my reply was always, 'We are NOT dating!' However, he was relentless in pursuing me.

Eventually I gave in and on September 1, 2003 it became official ---we were dating. I remember calling my friend, Vika to tell her we were officially dating, and her only reply was, 'You do realize that you are the last person to know that, right?' Apparently everyone else already knew my heart.

Ever since then, we have been growing and developing as a couple in some of the most incredible ways. I can honestly say that in all the romance novels I ever read as a girl, I hoped and dreamed of finding a man that was a real man. And here he is ...ALL MAN and completely wonderful. Living proof that love waits!”

What she loves about his mind: I love my husband's mind because he is always thinking about me and our marriage. He listens to what I say, considers it carefully, and then teaches me to look at a situation from a perspective I had not considered. He loves me where I am - body, mind, spirit, attitude - and he sees the potential in who I can be for God, as his wife, and as a friend to others. He believes in me when I lose patience with myself, and he reminds me that this life is not a sprint, it's a marathon. There is a great lesson in the way he considers our marriage in all ways. His servant attitude reminds me that paying attention to your spouse, in all ways great or small, is an important step towards having a long, happy and God-honoring marriage.

What she loves about his body: My husband's is 6-feet, 8-inches tall and ALL man! I could go on detailing the other details about his body that are sexy, but those aren't the really important things you should know about his body. If you examine the Bible passage detailing how God made us in his image, you will understand all you need to know about David. My favorite part? His hands. David's hands are very large and although he could easily 'palm' a basketball - he uses his hands in the most sensitive and tender ways. Almost everywhere we go together we hold hands, and those large hands that could easily hurt me, are tender and loving instead. Having been through a relationship where that was not the case, a girl can really value the innate tenderness in a man. Don't get me wrong, he is a strong man - in his character, personality, mind and spirit. But his "instinctual" tenderness - when he holds my hand...or strokes my hair when I'm sick...or the way he puts his hand on the small of my back to guide me through a door he's just opened. All these little things add up to a portrait of the man.

What she loves about his spirit: I keep a journal of all the things I love about my husband, and to be honest most of them involve his "spirit" in one way or another. The number one item? He loves God, more than he loves me. And THAT is exactly how it should be. There are many others items on the list such as:

• He doesn't make an important decision without first asking for the Lord's guidance.
• He doesn't make excuses for himself (or allow me to make excuses, either) when he forgets to spend time in God's Word.
• He enjoys talking to others about God, and he is gifted with tremendous patience for those who do not see the Truth.

I could go on, but I might run out of space here. One last thing worth sharing about David's spirit. In a nutshell, he grew up without a father. There are a lot of boys who could make excuses based on their past. Not David. He was truly a man, and accepted his responsibility as the spiritual leader of our family without excuse. His role and responsibility has always been of premium importance to him, and he has never let anything from his past hold him back from fulfilling his duty as God intended in our marriage.

Ainsley's advice to single women about marriage:

“Before meeting David, I did not date anyone for six years because I came to the conclusion that if I was going to ever find the right person that God was going to have to make it clear to me before I dated again. In fact, let me explain something here: I have a VERY strong personality... highly opinionated, outgoing personality and quite frankly, that can be very intimidating to guys.

Knowing my strong personality meant that I had to marry someone who was equally strong, I started praying that God would bring a strong man into my life. But God decided I needed some pruning and shaping instead. So for six years I focused on my own spiritual walk, and God taught me to be strong in a different way. Now, it would be a lie if I told you I was a good student of the Lord, but eventually I learned to focus less on guys and more on God. Let's say that the Lord and I came to an 'agreement' that I wasn't going to pay attention to the opposite sex, and He was going to 'knock me upside the head' when I was supposed to pay attention to a guy. Believe it or not, it worked!

There is so much advice I can give to single women, but one of the most important lessons I learned was to prioritize God before earthly things. Ultimately, a spouse is someone that God will choose for you, that perfect person who does make you feel complete, but who also wants more for you than you might want for yourself. If you wait, and let God choose that man, you will never be disappointed. It was so clear to me when David came into my life that he was meant to play an important role. The almost magnetic attraction - both mind and body - was something I had never before experienced. And I could have never dreamed that God would give me such an incredible man. David was worth waiting for, and I'm glad I didn't settle for someone that I thought was right. God knew better!”

David Speaks On How He Knew

Wedding Anniversary Date: December 29, 2005

How he knew his wife was the one for him:

“We met over the Internet.

Actually we met through work, but never in person for the first 18 months. The FIRST phone call, I turned to my boss and told him that I just met the women I was going to marry. I lived in MN and was she in VA at the time. I had never seen a picture, or anything else. I just knew.

The only reason I didn't talk to her for three weeks in the fall of 2002 was because I was realizing I loved her and we had never even met! You can't blame a guy for being a bit scared by that.

I remember the first time we met was when she picked me up at the airport. I said to myself, 'Wow! This is the woman I am going to marry!'”

What he loves about her mind: She is my completion in all things. All the talents that I have she does not, and vice versa. We are the perfect compliment to each other. She is able to juggle events, and people that I can only stand in awe of.

What he loves about her body: Well, enough said... she is GORGEOUS. I love that she is happy with herself, but always wanting to improve each day on herself.

What he loves about her spirit: She encourages me all the time to take the leadership role in our relationship, and follow my GODLY calling in life. Her spirit is kind, yet direct. She is what I need in every circumstance.

David's advice to single men about marriage:

“Persistence is virtue that women adore and cherish. If you know the feeling is mutual, show and prove it daily. Just like your walk with GOD is where he is pursuing you daily, you need to pursue your WIFE (or future wife)...and it does not stop at the altar!”

Jon Speaks On How He Knew

Wedding Anniversary Date: November 14, 2005

How he knew his wife was the one for him:

“It was only few weeks into my freshman year at college when I was introduced to a cute and 'stylishly loud' sophomore, who is now the woman that I am married to. Although at that time, marriage was quite a long shot...especially with this particular woman. Let’s just say that the negative impressions that we perceived of each other overshadowed any positive qualities that were present upon our first meeting. Despite that day, we eventually managed to have a conversation where I realized that she wasn’t this snobby, big-headed sophomore and she learned that my southern charm was what I was raised with and didn’t necessarily mean that I wanted to jump everything in a skirt.

The knowledge of me knowing that this relationship was a special one came after our first winter break apart from each other. We had only been dating a few months. It was the first time that we had seen each other in a month. For the entire eight hours driving back to school, I was bragging to my dad about this really hip girl that I had been kickin' it with, and how he had to meet her. I never would’ve guessed that she was going to break-up with me before I could even introduce the two of them.

Over the next few months, my then ex would reach out to me in hopes of having some type of a 'buddy buddy' relationship. That definitely wasn’t what I wanted from her. I already had enough buddies. Eventually, I explained that my feelings could not be suppressed under a false relationship based on us just being friends and that I wanted more than that. Fortunately, the one and only time that we had that conversation, it seemed to strike a nerve with her. Soon after that, we began dating again and the rest is history.

Somewhere during that interim period of our relationship, I knew that even if we did not get back together, how unlikely it would be for me to meet another woman as beautiful, unique, and spiritually alive as she. And if she were to give me another shot, I had to work it.

Even including our first introduction to one another, there has never been an awkward moment of any kind. Almost as if we had known each other during another lifetime. On a level much deeper than the physical, we share a connection that has always been there from the beginning.”

What he loves about her mind: I love that her thought process is everything mine is not. When I’m thinking too deep, she’s thinking just the opposite. When I’m over-thinking, she’s got it figured out with simple problem solving.

What he loves about her body: This is definitely a two-fold answer. It has to be a toss up between her skin and her eyes. Fortunately, her skin doesn’t taste as chocolate-like as it looks and feels. If so, she’d probably wake up with teeth marks on her legs every morning. I love her eyes because they portray every feeling and emotion that she has. I learn how to please her by observing the messages that they convey.

What he loves about her spirit: Her spirit is loving, open, and most importantly, honest. She has a honest truthfulness with her spirit that never has a selfish motive. She is always looking to love the next person.

Jon's advice to single men about marriage:

"Know that every moment in life counts. Spend these moments productively, making the best of every hour that you have been given. Know that you’re not successful until your life impacts others positively. Treat and address every woman with the admiration and respect that you have and want for your own mother.”

Brandi Speaks On How She Knew

Wedding Anniversary Date: November 14, 2005

How she knew her husband was the one for her:

“I met Jon my sophomore year of college. I have to say I was not interested. I just wasn’t. I was finished with dating---getting involved and then 'practicing divorce'. Just for me personally, I stopped looking. I wanted the next guy that I dated to be the one. Now, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t like I was on a wild dating spree before because the truth is I had only dated one guy seriously. But, the emotional guessing games and drama had me over it (dating). I learn quick.

Anyhoo, I met Jon and he just was something different. It kind of threw me off a bit. He was so cool and calm...something that I needed. And conversations with him were so easy. In fact, there was never an awkward moment between us. Even when we had our first conversation about 'us'. I felt more at home with him than I had felt with people I had known my entire life.

We started dating. Things were great. So great, that I broke up with him. I was not used to being in a relationship with someone who was so transparent about his feelings towards me. He was so honest about his feelings towards me...and, so clear about his feelings towards me. It freaked me out. I had never been shown this kind of love. He was so honest without any selfish motives. He just loved ME.

But here is the weird part: Even though I broke up with him, I still wanted to be around him. I didn’t know why. I just did. So one Saturday morning, I randomly gave him a call. Not about anything in particular. Again, I just wanted to be around him...talk to him...whatever. So we talked . Of course I start talking about something trivial like the weather or music (anything so I could here his calm and secure voice) and he starts to express to me how it is hard for him to carry on this 'buddy buddy' relationship.(He saw me as his wife, not just his buddy. He liked me, but most importantly he loved me.) And that’s when I knew that Jon was the one for me.

Even though I had broken up with him for no reason other than him making me happy, he still was jut just as honest about his love towards me. He was still just as clear. And he was most impressively vulnerable, without fear of getting hurt all over again. He did not change. Strong, unshaken, and still calm. I love him.”

What she loves about his mind: I love the way he thinks. He always knows what to say. Under pressure, he can still think clearly.

What she loves about his body: I love his arms. I love to snuggle. And I feel so secure physically and spiritually in his arms. I feel free to be vulnerable without any fear of manipulation. I love his hands because they are rough and manly. No manicure here.

What she loves about his spirit: I love the fact that my husband is so spiritually free. Anyone, who knows him knows that Jon is so honest. He never feels the need to be something he is not, or do something just to impress. He is free in his Creator.

Brandi's advice to single women about marriage:

"My advice to all my single ladies (Beyonce's theme song in the back—-sorry).

Don’t look. Be open. Get in tuned with yourself and your Creator. God knows what you need and really want.”

Joey Speaks On How He Knew

Wedding Anniversary Date: December 10, 2000

How he knew his wife was the one for him:

“I remember the first time I saw my wife, my best friend worked in the same office she did and was going to set us up on a date. I had just come back from playing golf and walked into the office and and my best friend had her come in to talk to him just so I could see her. She had no idea who I was....yet. I had not dated or gone on any dates really for over four years due to the fact that my last ex-girlfriend had cheated on me for the 2nd time and told me this on our four-year anniversary. Needless to say, it took a long time to get over it and so I still honestly was not looking when my best friend told me about his co-worker---my future wife.

I remember the first time I saw her and thought 'Well, guess the date won't happen...she's way out of my league'. She had long hair, beautiful eyes, and looked like a younger Dana Delaney, who I find to be HAWT!! So I thought 'Well, I'll at least show her a good time and see how it goes.'

So we went on our blind date---April 1st of all days---and it was a group date to the Old Spaghetti Factory. I met her there and the rest of her co-workers, including my best friend and his wife, met there as well and we ate and talked. Later, we played laser tag and then I walked her back to her car and asked if I could call her again. I took it slow since I didn't want to ruin it and plus didn't think she was interested in me.

I called her over the next couple days and then we went out several times. We basically ended up inseparable. I was in college and living with my parents to save money, and she was working and living with her parents to save money. So either I would go over to her house or she would come over to mine and we pretty much became inseparable. Neither of us had mentioned marriage to the other, but both sets of parents kept asking us when we were going to get engaged.

Now mind you we met in April, and by August or in September of that same year we had set our wedding date for that December. Now I know God had His hand in it, because she is way out of my league by outer beauty and more importantly inner beauty. I am not the most poetic, not the most eloquent, not the most romantic, but I am the luckiest man alive to have married my dream girl. God truly works in mysterious ways. We will have now been married nine years this December and have three beautiful children.”

What he loves about her mind: When it comes to my wife's mind, what I find so attractive is she's got fight, she's independent, she doesn't hold back what she thinks, she's her own person, her own woman, and that is so sexy.

What he loves about her body: My first attraction to my wife was of course her beauty. She looked at me with her big almond shaped eyes, and sparkling smile and my heart jumped...then sank, because like I said before, she was so beautiful that I knew I had no chance. But she saw something in me I didn't.

What he loves about her spirit: From what I saw where she was walking with God to where she is now is just amazing. I had grown up in the Church and thought I was a good Christian. She never claimed to be in any church, yet she showed me a better example of what a Christian is than I had seen in anyone I dated. She was so caring, responsible, loving...the list could go on. And now that she is not only my wife, my lover, but the mother of my children, there is nothing that shows you more about a person than how they treat their children and the love she shows our children to me is a clear example of how God's love is toward us: unconditional.

Joey's advice to single men about marriage:

"First off let me state that the advice I would give to a single guy is coming from a guy that was still a virgin by choice up until age 25 when I married my wife. Marriage and sex to me were both sacred and for me to have sex just to have sex or just to satisfy a need/want was not something I was going to let myself do. In today's world, that may sound prudish or be laughed at, and even in my own church of peers that were my same age, I'm sure I would have been more of the exception than the rule. However, it was both a personal choice for me physically and spiritually.

Now let me get to the advice I would give a single man from a Christian perspective. Trust in God, don't get discouraged if you are alone. God does have a plan for you and wants what is best for you. I firmly believe God will lead you to the one He knows you are the best match for. Notice I didn't say perfect, because no matter how great any marriage is, there will be rough spots, hard times in some area of your marriage. But a marriage built on love, respect and the knowledge of knowing that no matter what happens we are in this together. A marriage built on that foundation is nearly impossible to break.”

Tiff Speaks On How She Knew

Wedding Anniversary Date: October 14, 2006

How she knew her husband was the one for her:

“Honestly, no one thing determined that he was 'The One'. I’d say, for us it was more like a puzzle---and eventually all the pieces just fit. It’s been about nine years now since the first time I encountered my husband. Little did I know that a series of events over the following six years would lead us to our wedding day.

We were both just freshmen in college when we met, him an 'Army brat' whose family called New Orleans home, and me who grew up on a farm in the country. We both had so much to discover about ourselves and each other. There was an immediate indescribable connection between us….more than physical chemistry; it was as if we had been friends for years. I would say our freshmen year was a year of just pure delight in each other! One thing that I believe was instrumental in our bond was the fact that we found a wonderful church. It helped to ensure that we were surrounded by good people and receiving spiritual enrichment.

There were many turning points and new levels in our relationship. We experienced the ups and downs of college life together. We had a few break-ups and make-ups. We had been together for about four years when I finally told him about some serious personal baggage I was dealing with. Around that same time, I learned of deeper personal issues that he dealt with. When he knew about the deep inner issues that I struggled with and he didn’t vanish into thin air, I thought, 'Wow, there is something quite unique about him'.

Over the duration of our relationship, we’d been swept up in moments of idealistic, 'movie-like' romance...we’d been given prophetic words about our future marriage...and we’d seen the subtle hints that this was predestined by God. I recall that J even had a dream two weeks into our relationship that we would get married. However, nothing more earnestly illustrated to me that he was 'The One' than when I revealed a not-so-pretty, messed up, far-from-perfect girl and he still saw the God in me. We reached a place of complete transparency which made us totally vulnerable to each other. It took lots of time to build trust, commitment, integrity, maturity and loyalty. Seeing those attributes showed me we could do life together.”

What she loves about his mind: I love that it’s constantly being renewed! That may make sense to Bible readers out there. (Romans 12:2) That was the first scripture he taught at church when he received his license as a minister. I do enjoy his wit, great conversation, and I get a kick out of writing with him, but I really love to see and hear that he’s been spending quality time in the Word of God. He’s an amazing teacher and I get such revelation just listening to him.

What she loves about his body: I love his eyes. I hope our children inherit his hazel eyes. I get as giddy as I did almost nine years ago when I peer into them. Someday, when wrinkles begin to surround them, I’ll look into his 70-year-old eyes and still find the young man I danced with in the middle of my dorm room. I look into his eyes and know I’m where I’m supposed to be.

What she loves about his spirit: He is a spirit that has a soul that lives in a body. I love that this is the part of him that is most like God. I love that his spirit and very being worships God.

Tiff's advice to single women about marriage:

"I made many mistakes when it came to my husband. I had horrible experiences with male role models in my life---including my own father, which led to fears and insecurities in the beginning. I did what I think many women do. I assumed that my husband would in some way disappointment me the same way other men did. I forced my own harsh feelings about myself on him, thinking perhaps I’d push him away…. that he’d never want to be with someone like me. Instead he spoke into me. He spoke the opposite of what I felt…..insecure, miserable, and pitiful. He prayed over me and told me I was valuable, worth so much to God, and fearfully and wonderfully made.

I had an epiphany. J really didn’t deserve to pay for my father’s mistakes. He was not those other men. By no means is he perfect. He still forgets to take out the garbage from time-to-time, but he truly is my best friend. With so few men really stepping up to the plate, I know it’s difficult to be a woman, much less a single woman in today’s society. I would say to single ladies, settle for nothing less than a man who is willing to speak the truth of God’s Word over you, when the enemy keeps planting seeds of doubt in your mind. Settle for nothing less than a man who seriously wants to know God. Maybe if every single woman decided to NEVER settle again, more men of God will start to rise to the challenge.”