Some love stories begin with fireworks; ours began with dinner and a five hour conversation at a little restaurant in Buda, TX.

Debbie's Story

Before I met Victor, I had spent many years praying for God to bring a wonderful man into my life. After the passing of my husband, years earlier, I honestly began to wonder if love was even in the cards for me anymore. However, I kept reading Jeremiah 29:11, one of my favorite verses.

I gave the dating apps a try—much to the amusement (and occasional exhaustion) of my friends and my children who had to hear about my many first dates and even more fiascos. Despite all my efforts, nothing ever seemed to work out. I got tired of hearing the well-meaning advice: “Stop looking—it’ll happen when you least expect it” or “God’s not done preparing him or you yet”

At the time, I couldn’t quite understand what God was trying to teach me. Eventually, I took a break and decided to just live my life, enjoy my grandchildren and my new home. I figured maybe I’d bump into a kind, single gentleman without a ring on his finger at H-E-B or Home Depot (a girl can hope, right?). But no luck there either.

After a year-long break, God put that desire back on my heart so I gave online dating one last try on eHarmony. That’s when I came across Victor’s profile. Something about the way he wrote—his sincerity, his faith, his genuineness—stood out immediately. It wasn’t flashy or over-the-top, but it was real. So I liked his profile… and waited.

Four days passed. Then, his response came—and it was worth the wait. His message was genuine and thoughtful, and I was drawn in even more. We soon connected by phone, and the conversation flowed effortlessly. What truly moved me was how he ended the call—with a prayer. That quiet, beautiful gesture showed me his heart in a way that words never could.

Our first date was dinner and a five-hour conversation that felt like five minutes. At the end of the night, I offered a hug. Victor leaned in too—then gently patted my back like he was burping a baby. I laughed, and now, every time he does that little back-pat, it just melts my heart.

I knew we had a special connection, but I was still a bit unsure. Then Victor invited me to a UT football game. (He bleeds burnt orange!) I had to work that morning and got nervous, so I declined. A few days later, friends encouraged me to just go and have fun. I messaged Victor last-minute to say I was free after all.

As he tells it later to me, he had asked another lady to the game—but he had felt something deeper with me. So he canceled that date and said, “Sure, you can come with me.”

Thank goodness he did!

Since then, we have spent hours having deep, meaningful conversations, laughing, sharing our faith, praying together, and talking about and getting to know each other's children and grandchildren. Slowly, it became something more wonderful than I ever could have imagined. It may have looked like a quick courtship to the outside world, but to us, it felt like coming home to someone we’ve always known.

The proposal? Not quite what I expected.

I came home from a Wednesday night Life Group at church, and Victor was at my house. He said he wanted to talk—so naturally, I thought something was wrong. I sat down, preparing for a serious conversation and perhaps a bit annoyed.

Instead, he pulled out a heartfelt love letter. Then, from beneath the couch cushion, he pulled out the ring. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

Of course—I said absolutely yes!

I still have to pinch myself at times that God brought this wonderful man into my life. It didn't happen in my timing but I always held onto that hope. And that hope, in God’s perfect timing, led me to Victor.

Victor's Story

When I met Debbie, I wasn’t searching for love—I was learning how to live again after losing my wife, trusting that God still had purpose for my life. After loss, the world felt quiet and unfamiliar, but I carried hope that God could restore even the most broken places. I didn’t know what it meant to move forward without letting go, until God brought Debbie into my life.

With Debbie, there was honesty, laughter, respect, and tenderness from the beginning. We didn’t rush—but we walked briskly. Gently, but with purpose. Step by step, with God’s Spirit leading us forward. With each step, we discovered a new relationship and a deep friendship rooted in faith, grace, and God’s unending love.

Debbie saw me—the man still learning how to dream and trust God for the future. And I saw her—not just the strong, soulful woman—but someone who loves fiercely, prays deeply, and listens with her heart wide open. Together, we’ve learned that healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means honoring the past while embracing the present, confident that God redeems our stories.

We’ve had moments of hesitation, navigating family dynamics and learning each other’s rhythms. Through it all, God has been our anchor, guiding every conversation, every decision, and every new beginning.

This isn’t just a second chance at love. It’s a continuation of the love God designed for us, blossoming in a new season.

We don’t take a single moment for granted. Every shared morning, every prayer, every walk or quiet conversation is a reminder of God’s faithfulness—that love, even after loss, can rise again—stronger, wiser, and more beautiful than we ever imagined.

We are building a life, not in the shadow of the past, but in the light of God’s hope and promise for the future.

This is our love story, and by God’s grace, it’s just getting started.

Registry

Thank you so much for your generous gift toward our honeymoon trip and for preparing our home for the arrival of a new spouse! Your kindness is truly a blessing, and we are so grateful for your love and support as we begin this new chapter together.