I was married for 26 years to a man who loved me as much as he could, but something was always missing. We raised two wonderful sons, but my husband’s difficult upbringing shaped his ideas about love, leaving me yearning for a deeper connection and shared faith. As a Christian, I faithfully attended church, but my husband did not share that part of my life. The boys and I always went alone, and I often felt unfulfilled.
After his sudden passing, I leaned on my faith for strength. Six months later, I began praying about dating again, hoping for a Christian partner to share my faith and life.
On May 31, 2002, a friend invited me over. Her guest brought a friend, Ruben. We enjoyed talking and laughing, but I assumed we’d only be friends. Ruben had never married and didn’t have children. I was six years older and about to become a grandmother—surely he couldn’t be God’s answer to my prayers.
He called me several times that week, and we had dinner a few times. He shared that he had been saved in 1998 and faithfully attended a neighboring church.
The next Sunday, he unexpectedly showed up at my church. I noticed his shirt matched my dress. The following Sunday, it happened again. We joked about it, and I realized he had noticed too.
The next weekend, I prayed for a sign and wore the most colorful dress I owned. That morning, Ruben called and asked to pick me up for church. When he arrived, his shirt perfectly matched my dress. At that moment, I knew—this was the man God intended for me.
One afternoon, I visited my late husband’s grave, praying for clarity. Later, Ruben asked what time I had gone. When I told him 3:30, he grew emotional—he had prayed at the exact same time, asking God and my late husband for permission to love me.
In October 2002, we flew to Michigan and were married. Now, 23 years later, we continue to share a life of love, faith, and partnership in both good times and bad.
God answered my prayers in ways I never imagined, showing His perfect plan and faithfulness in our lives.