Hey everyone,
this is the story of how Matt and I became a couple. We believe in our hearts that God is
the one who orchestrated our relationship. He alone is the one who is writing our love story.
Whether or not you may agree with this, this is what we believe, and this is the standpoint from
which I documented what you are about to read.
It all started in the fall of 2000. I was 13, he was 17. We met at Raleigh Christian Community school.
The minute I saw him I had a "crush" on him.
We began talking and hanging out at school(somewhat), and we got to know each other(somewhat), because
our families got to know each other(Andrea, Matt's Mom is friends with Annette, my Mom, and Sam, Matt's brother, is best friends
with Adriaan, my brother.). God began to give me dreams about Matt... about a future together. Being only in
eighth grade, this scared me... alot. Eventually, I forgot about the dreams I had about Matt, and went on with my teenage
life.
The next school year, Matthew and I went to separate schools. We saw each other now and again at
church, but didn't talk much. I started modeling, and Matt got busy with his life.
In august of 2002, Matthew moved to Florida(to work at a resort on Disney property - The Swan and
Dolphin Hotel). After he moved, we began to talk. ALOT. We became friends, and got to know each other.
I also began to have dreams, again. I had dreams about Matthew coming back to North Carolina, just
for me. Dreams about a serious relationship.... and eventually marriage. But yet, I still felt such a distance from Matt in
real life, so it pained me to think about him. However, the Lord layed it on my heart that these dreams were from HIM. I had
to believe something could come out of them.
Matt went on with his life, and I went on with mine. I had some growing up to do, and so did He.
We still talked now and then, but I began to make myself distant from Matt. I didn't really want to think about him anymore.
Six months later, Matt moved back. I was in utter shock. I thought that he was going to stay in Florida
and work at Disney, however, I was wrong.
Meanwhile, the Lord revived the love in my heart for him. I began to spend time with Matt. One night,
I was really seeking God's will for our friendship and relationship. As I opened my Bible, this verse literally popped off
the page:
'2 Then the LORD answered me and said:
“
Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That
he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet
for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though
it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It
will not tarry."'
-Habakkuk 2:2-3
The Lord impressed on my heart that this verse could be applied to the many dreams that I had
about Matt. Before this, I had agonized many hours over what to make of the dreams, but suddenly, it was all clear
to me. I wrote down all of the dreams God gave me, and kept them in a safe place. However, little did I know what Matt was
going through.
Matthew went through a time in Florida when he wasn't completely in God's will. By the time
he arrived back in North Carolina, he felt empty and wanted to search for what God had in store for him.
He began wondering who God was planning for him to marry. He wanted to be done with needless dating,
but begin a serious relationship that would be in God's will.
I can't quite remember how it happened... but somehow we arranged to go see a movie together. He
came and picked me up, and we went to the movie - "The Passion of the Christ". As the day went on, it seemed more and more
like a date; more than just two friends going to see a movie together. After the movie, we went to Chili's for a late
lunch. As we talked, we connected, and even though we were both nervous, we were both at peace with each other.
Almost two weeks after, rumors had been spread around about a potiential relationship between the
two of us. We ignored it, even though secretly I hoped Matt would take it to heart.
On a wednesday night, we both went to a prayer meeting. After prayer, we began to play the piano(that
was in the prayer room), together. Even though we were improvising almost everything we were playing, everything seemed to
be in perfect harmony. It was amazing - we were speaking no words, yet, we felt so connected.
Two days after that, Matt and I were talking online. I began to tell him that God was preparing
me for something great. Suddenly, God revealed everything to him. All of a sudden, Matt had a knowledge of what God had been
preparing me for all these years, and he let me know that he knew! EVERYTHING came out... about the dreams, about God's will,
about our own searchings, everything. It was wonderful. It felt like a dream come true. Actually, it was a dream come true.
A dream straight from God.
Now we are getting married... what a wonderful feeling to see what we have been through, and what
we have overcome. We have been together for almost a year and a half, and even though it hasn't always been easy, I will never
regret stepping into the path God had for me. We look on to the future with great hope, and we look back to the past with
extreme awe for God's orchestration. I praise God for everything he manifested in our lives!
