How did you know...

sessionswedding

...that your FI/DH is the person that God intended for you to spend the rest of your life with?

With me and my FI, it was a pretty cool thing actually.  One day this past July, we were sitting together and talking.  We got engaged last February, but we weren't able to set a solid date because of finances.  We had to keep pushing back the date we chose from March 2011 to May 2012.  Last July it was looking like we were going to have to push it back even farther, and we were getting really discouraged.  FI was out of a job and I had a temp job that was running out in a month.  I told FI that I wondered if it was God's way of telling us we weren't supposed to be together.  So I prayed a prayer like this:

God, I know that I went head first into this relationship without truly praying about it first, and that's my fault.  If Matt is not the person you want me to marry, give me a sign.  It will be incredibly difficult, but if I need to, I will leave him.  If you want me to marry Matt, please send me a sign!

The next day, we both got jobs.  Sign noted. 

amongthelilies25

wow, sessions that is sooo amazing! i LOVE when God answers prayer like that! He is SUCH a good God...even when He is silent. (:

i have been praying for my "future husband" since i was 13 years old. Hehe...i was one of THOSE girls in youth group who "just wanted to get married and have a family when i grow up". 

At 14 yrs old i was taken away from my mom and moved in with my aunt....at that time i KNEW that God would give me a mother-in-law who loved me like a daughter because that is what my heart so desperately wanted. 

After meeting my FMIL in march of last year...she INSTANTLY fell in love with me and me with her! She told me after a few months that even without Martin...she loved me as a daughter. (: I moved in with the family a few months after and have been learning to be a daughter ever since. i even call her mom! 

other then that.... one day (last year) my FI got up early (like 7am) to read his Bible....he called me while i was still asleep and read and prayed over the phone. That was a defining moment for me..i KNEW that i wanted this man for the rest of my life. i wanted to partner my life with his and iknew i was his rib. (: 

louieblue

Long story not-so-short, I was in a super-serious relationship when I began college, but my ex-bf and I were going to schools in separate states.  We kept the relationship going and there were never any problems.  Then I met DH.  We became friends very quickly and it was nothing more.  But I kept feeling a pull at my heart towards him.  I hadn't forgotten my boyfriend at the time by any means, but I ended the relationship in Feb '07 regardless.  DH and I talked extensively about what was in our hearts and we began dating in March. 

6 moths later, DH's father passed away from a massive heart attack at the age of 44.  It was such a shock since we all thought he was in ideal health.  DH was so close to his father and it was tough to get through.  There were bouts of anger, grief, and severe depression.  It was tough to get through and sometimes it felt like too much for me to handle, but I knew he needed me as a shoulder to lean on.

I knew DH was the one for me when I visited family for Thanksgiving that same year.  We were talking about how DH was handling things and an aunt told me she believed God knew he would need someone in his time of grief.  God sent him me.  I absolutely believe that too.

The night of the funeral, DH told me that he couldn't be with a girl who didn't know his father and he would marry me someday.  Kept his promise!

LeahVB2011

I knew he was it when I saw how patient he was with me. Never in my life had any person sat down with me and my math and actually stayed for more than 15 mins. He was so pateint and even when I acted like a child, he still stuck it out. This really stood out to me especially since we had only been dating two weeks. I knew there was something very special about someone with this kind of patience. Even though I wasn't in love with him yet, I knew I would fall for him and one day marry him.

azdancer8

God told me. Literally.

I was VERY hurt by a previous relationship, and it affected me so deeply that I didn't date for 9 years. I didn't feel I could trust ANY guy. With help from my pastor, I finally got over it, and started dating again. I had literally just ended a relationship when DH asked me out. I almost said no, because I didn't want to rebound right into another relationship. (Plus, he wasn't what I thought was "my type".) But something inside me said to give him a chance. I did, and we clicked.

About six months into our relationship, I was at (then FI's) parents' house for the weekend. I had just found out something that confused me, and I was trying to figure out what it meant for us as a couple. I remember sitting in their kitchen while (then FI) was upstairs, praying for guidance. It was as if someone spoke directly into my ear, "You can trust M, he will take care of you." God spoke SO clearly to me that day, I knew DH was the one.

ChrislovesBarry

While helping my brother and sister in law plan their wedding, I had a conversation with my Grandfather.  I asked him how he felt about me being his only SINGLE grandchild.  He told me "God has the perfect man for you and you will meet him at God's perfect time."

It was then I realised that if I wanted a man to offer me the world, I had to have the world to offer him.  So I took some time to find a good job, get a great apartment, and make myself happy.  I remember pulling into my apartment after work and thinking "I'm ready to find that Perfect Man."  I met my FI that weekend!

iamjoesgurl

I love these posts!

For me, when I hit 35 and was not dating anyone, I decided that I needed to be content with that and be okay with being single for the rest of my life.  I just hadn't met anyone in the past 8 years or so.

A really good college had been praying for me for a long time and had tried to set me up with her BIL (I was not interested!).  Then she felt led to give her husband's cousin my email address.  I was so nervous but prayed about it a lot.  We emailed back and forth for about a month and had great email conversations.  Then he asked to come visit me and again I was so nervous.  But we got along so well.  I couldn't believe it.  I was attracted to him in a way that I had never been attracted to someone before (after 35 years - can you believe that?).  I just felt that God had prepared me for this man and He had prepared this man for me. 

mrandmrsbrist

Fantastic question, sessions! I'm loving these posts.

I'm not real big on "the one" thing. But I believe that there are people who are "right" for you. Does that make sense?

For me, it's been a ton of little things. Before we started dating, FI and I spent quite a bit of time in prayer. We'd known each other for a while because our parents were friends and we'd end up hanging out at get togethers, but we wanted to make sure that us dating was going to be okay with God.

Since then, it's been things like him being patient with me in school related things, health related things, and emotional/depression related things. There isn't anyone else that I've ever met that can handle and put with me, and still love me at the same time. We've worked through a lot of problems and we always handled them with maturity, patience and prayer. Seeing that added to the "sure-ness" of him being the one.

sessionswedding

Wow, I'm so glad I posted this!  These stories are awesome!

SuMmErKuTiE

I had been in a pretty abusive relationship that I finally got the courage to get out of a few years ago, and only two months later was when I met H. My best friend introduced us while we were all out one night since they went to high school together and he immediately was interested in me, but getting into a relationship was the last thing on my mind. So he tried asking me out a few times and I kept insisting we all hang out with our group of friends, then finally he said, "No I want to take you out.. just YOU". So I gave in, and we went on our first date and had a wonderful time. I was still nervous and didn't want him to get the wrong idea that I was looking for a boyfriend, so when he asked me out for a 2nd date, I kept him at bay for a little while again, but we eventually went out again. Again, we had a wonderful time and the conversation flowed so easily and he was absolultely nothing like my ex. Everything I hated and despised about my ex was the opposite with DH. He was so wonderful, gentle, kind, he was a good listener, we had a lot of the same values, etc... when I finally opened up to him about my past abusive relationship, he was angry at what had happened to me and promised me he would never treat me that way. We grew very close very fast, and were engaged 8 months later! It was crazy how things happened, but even my parents took a strong liking to DH and my dad took DH out a few times so they could get to know each other better and see where DH was at and what he wanted for our future. My parents adore him and call him their son now which is such an amazing feeling.

ReebokJ

Story in bio. Every prayer answered, every door opened, and everything fell perfectly into place.

ReebokJ

Oh, and I think this is the greatest thread ever posted. These are all such wonderful testimonies!!!

amongthelilies25

i am LOVING reading all these!!! (: 

AshNoel8

1. From the beginning, I felt a love for him that I didn't even know could exist

2. My family loved him from the start and they never liked any of my previous bf's

3... The big reason... As we grew closer to each other, we also grew closer to God. We both strengthened our relationship with the Lord- individually and together- because of each other. We helped each other to grow into the people we are today. Neither of us would be where we are now without each other. He is my best friend. 

GJones27

I can't believe we haven't had this topic before.  I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts and love seeing how God works in life.

I also felt God showed me the One, too.  I met my Brazilian FI while studying abroad in Germany.  To make a long story short, I kept ending up in very strange situations that brought me to FI, even when I was trying to fight it.  Example: FI asked me out, but thinking he wasn't looking for anything serious, I gave an excuse.  But when I went home that night, my German roommate said, "Hey!  I remember you mentioning a long time ago that you know someone from Brazil.  I'm studying abroad there next year and need help with Portuguese.  Can you introduce us?"  And that brought me back to FI.  Strange things like this happened five or six times!

After we started dating in Germany, we had to go back to our respective countries and finish our studies.  FI wanted to move to the U.S. and get a job here to be close to me, but since he's a foreign national, that would be virtually impossible.  It is possible to get an H1B visa, but Washington, DC doesn't have too many of those types of jobs, and many employers don't want to hire foreigners.  Well, FI got a job here despite all odds through the World Bank, which sponsors internationals.  It's pretty much impossible to get a job there if you're not 30 with a PhD or something, but someone was looking after us!

alyssajael

FI and I have know each other our whole lives, but did not hanging out and start getting close until about 5 years ago. I had been in a relationship and just ended it after learning I was not his only girl friend. I was really hurt and was not looking into dating again for awhile. But God had other plans. He brought FI closer into my life and we had a great friendship right from the start. I could feel myself starting to like him but I wasn't looking for a relationship. So I stared praying, and as hard as it was for me I prayed this. "Lord if he is not the one for me take these feelings away." After months of praying this my feeling for him just grow stronger and stronger. Till one day after a family outing at Disneyland, when he hugged me, kissed my cheek and said goodbye. I know I couldn't fight my feelings any longer. The real defining moment though for me was after we had both confessed to liking each other and he told me what he had praying, those months that we were just friends, "Lord if she is not the one for me take these feelings away." without knowing that I had been praying the exact same thing.  

DramaGeek

hoo boy, where to start?!  For us, there wasn't one thing, but lots of little things.  I'll try to get through the main story quickly though.

H and I were both dating other people when we met.  I was actually engaged and he was dating his first ever girlfriend.  We really were just friends.  One night we were on the phone and I realized that I wanted to marry a man like H, not a guy like my then-fi.  Then-fi was a recovering drug addict and alcoholic who dropped out of school our junior year of high school.  He had no direction, no real idea of what he was going to do with his life.  I loved him dearly, but I think I was stuck on who he was when we met and who I wanted him to be/knew he could be, instead of who he actually was.  H was his high school valedictorian, was in college on a full scholarship, was working full time...just the complete opposite.  That was what started it for me.

We had a rocky start to our relationship and I actually broke up with him a couple of months after our first date.  After about 6 weeks apart, we went out again.  We had a long conversation about what we wanted "us" to be - friends, more?  I told him that the reason I broke up with him was because I was scared to death of how much I was falling for him, and I realized if I stayed with him I'd marry him, and I wasn't quite ready for that. A little over 2 years later we were married :-)

kitkat610

I met FI when he was hired on to my project. I was very happily single, dating occasionally, but not looking for a relationship. Also, I have a strict policy against work romance (not that it was ever tested before).
FI was extremely persistent but never pushy. He wrote me poetry, some silly and a couple that made me cry, and brought me silly little gifts. We traveled together for work, and he kept making up reasons for me to come to the lobby and spend more time with him. We talked late into the night, and met again in the gym at 5am for our routine workouts, but I refused to go on a "date." Each time that we talked, I was more convinced that he was the most remarkable and inspirational man I have ever met, which scared me a lot.
After two months of this, I finally acquiesced because I felt like that is where God was leading me. FI is truly everything that I have ever imagined in a partner and never thought was possible.
I don't know when I knew I would marry him exactly, but the week before our birthdays (soon to be our anniversary as well) is when he goes to Houston for his semi-annual MRI. I told him that I loved him the night before we left because I wanted to make sure he knew in case something was wrong again. I was so nervous that I wouldn't be able to handle the appointment or the bad news if it came.
We drove down the next night, and I spent all day in the waiting rooms with his mom. I felt so loved and so at peace despite being nervous beyond belief. All the news was good, and I knew for sure that I could do this.  I knew God gave me that strength for a reason, and it is to take care of FI.
P.S. He takes care of me a lot too.

SpokenVows

I'll start off by saying hi to everyone on the board. This is my first post in this section, as I'm actually Pagan...maybe. Upon reading these stories, it makes me question myself even more, and realise new things. So, I'll share my story the best I can.

My family (seven of us, at the time) attended church every Sunday. We had a family meeting and prayer session in our living room every Wednesday night. Our bed time stories were from the Bible. Shortly after turning 6, we moved from Ohio to Maryland and gradually stopped going to church. Family problems started to form and life did a complete 180. By 9, I can honestly say I stopped believing in God. He was no longer a part of my life, and I was angry at Him for the hurt in my family. As I got older, I ran into a lot of trouble, had horrible body image issues, etc. and only found my way out through religion of a different nature. For as long as I can remember, I'd stuck close with my Pagan religion and never questioned it. In turn, I also grew a sort of hatred for anything Christian and spat at the mention of God. Skip ahead a bit.
About two years ago, I met FI. He was raised Catholic and attended Mass every Sunday. Every time he mentioned God (which was quite often), I immediately shut him down...talk about unfair. Over time, he stopped going to Mass and slowly started looking more into my religion than his own. Shortly after I met him, though, I started having strange dreams about Heaven and Hell. But they only happened once in a blue moon. About six months ago, the dreams started to happen a lot more often. And one day, it hit me. All that hate I had previously started to go away, I started to see things I hadn't before. FI is an amazing guy who loves me no matter what, tells me I'm beautiful no matter how I look, and sticks by my side. He ended up adoring my mum (she's in a nursing home due to MS) as much as I do, as well as the rest of my family. And my family actually likes him (which has never happened before). My total body image changed, I started setting goals for myself, and things just seem right. And most of all, I've come to realise that religion is something I want to learn and experience with him. It's a whole new light, and I don't know completely how to take it all in. I feel awful that I've pulled him so far away from his religion. I'm going to church on my own free will on Sunday for the first time in I don't know how long. FI is coming with me. And I can't wait.

Sorry that was so long! But it felt great to type out.

fpaemp2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_did?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:3939db26-6279-4766-b5f2-567704dfc752Post:500493f5-3183-4ecb-8c4f-4faa1e7131fb">Re: How did you know...</a>:
[QUOTE] I'm going to church on my own free will on Sunday for the first time in I don't know how long. FI is coming with me. And I can't wait. Sorry that was so long! But it felt great to type out.
Posted by SpokenVows[/QUOTE]
That's great!!!  Let us know how it goes!


As for FI and me, there was never a time when I didn't think God had brought us together. There have been so many instances over the past 2 1/2 years that have made me realize that God's hand is totally covering our relationship. If I hadn't decided to step off of student leadership and move off campus, I never would have rearranged my class schedule, and we would probably have never even met.  We can't think of anything else that would have put us in the same room. 

The same weekend my great-grandfather died, FI's home church (his dad is the pastor) was going through a total shake-up with the worship pastor.  He was stressed for his dad and his worship pastor and I was heartbroken over my great-grandfather.  We had been "official" for about 2 weeks and he came over to my house, watched a chick-flick with me and my roommates, and just held me.  I never expected him to do that...he just knew what I needed.  (Side Note- I quickly realized afterwards that he is not a mind reader, and I do actually have to tell him what I think/feel/need every once in a while).

The first time he came home with me was for my birthday, and my entire family, cousins and all, came over.  I was helping mom in the kitchen with some things and looked into the living room to see FI, on the floor, playing with blocks with my (then) toddler cousins.  I just stared...heart melting.  One of my cousins has several severe special needs and it can be hard to know how to interact with her, but she was sitting in his lap just as cozy as can be.  That's when I KNEW I couldn't let him go anywhere. 

KristyIan11

I planned to go to college in Ohio, FI planned on going to a big-name school. We both got a postcard in the mail about a Christian college in PA with an awesome scholarship for Ohio residents. On a whim we both applied and met on the day we were interviewing for that same scholarship. Thankfully, they gave two scholarships that year. One to me and one to him.
Because we both had the scholarship we were invited with a group of scholars to come to campus before orientation to do some team-building and leadership training. From the first day on campus we were good friends.
A group of us spent a lot of time in his dorm room with he and his roommate playing guitar and all of us singing worship songs late into the night. FI was always a gentleman and walked me back to my room every night and we (both physical touch love language people) would hug goodnight and he would run back to his room.
After the first semester, I knew it would break my heart if he dated someone other than me so we had that "what are we?" conversation, and after many tears and Christmas break, we were dating. He jokingly refers to me at that time as a vortex because he really didn't want to date at that time but God just kept pushing him closer to me and he couldn't get away (the first time he told me that analogy I cried, but I find it funny too now).
It had always been my philosophy that I would only date if I planned on potentially marrying that person, so we really began planning for marriage right away. The focus in our relationship, led by him, was laying a Christ-centered foundation. We both agreed that our relationship, then and forever, is not primarily for our happiness, but ultimately for God's glory. That really helped us take selfishness out of our relationship.
I think the really big sign for me, above all the others, is that when I am sinning, he isn't afraid to point it out and when he does it is in the most loving way. He is willing to risk our relationship in return for me being closer to God. As a result, we have both gotten so much closer to God through our dating relationship.
And 3.5 years after dating, we are getting married.

sessionswedding

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_did?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:3939db26-6279-4766-b5f2-567704dfc752Post:2fea5457-3f02-43fd-8e35-fac2e5e48867">Re: How did you know...</a>:
[QUOTE]We both agreed that our relationship, then and forever, is not primarily for our happiness, but ultimately for God's glory. That really helped us take selfishness out of our relationship.
Posted by KristyIan11[/QUOTE]
Wow, that is a really good way to look at things.