Today’s guest blogger is Mysterious Ways associate editor Diana Aydin.
Valentine’s Day is one of my all-time favorite holidays.
Not just because of the abundance of candy hearts (though that certainly gives it an edge over Labor Day!). I’ve just always been fascinated by how people meet their soul mates–maybe because my own parents met in the first grade.
So, to get in the Valentine’s spirit, I went around the office collecting staff “How We Met” stories for our Facebook page. At first, some of my colleagues were hesitant. “I don’t really have anything interesting to share!” was the typical response. But once I dug a little deeper, it became clear: Not only did everyone have a good story, but there was usually some divine force at play, bringing couples together in truly mysterious ways.
Here’s what else I learned about love from this little exercise:
It really does happen when you least expect it. I know, I know. Everyone always says that… but it’s true. Our contributing editor Sonya despises all holidays. Yet she found love on the very last holiday of the year, New Year’s Eve.- Sometimes God will do anything to get your attention. Our copy editor, Kate, had a number of suitors when she met Michael. So God used a ferryboat crash to single him out. (Those other guys never stood a chance!)
- God uses people around you. A mutual acquaintance. Your mother. Your doorman. Practically everyone you encounter has a part to play in your story. That’s what happened to our managing editor Adam. His grandfather gave him $50 with one catch–”I want you to use this to take out a girl,” he said. “Not just any girl, a special girl. The one you’re going to marry.” A few months later, he found her–the girl of his grandfather’s dreams.
- It’s all about the details. For our administrative assistant, Sharon, it all started with the color turquoise. There was just something about that particular shade of blue she absolutely loved. So when she went to a Tai Chi class one afternoon and spotted Norman in a bright turquoise belt, she knew it was meant to be.
- Love defies all reason. There is a touch of the unexplainable in each and every love story. Like this one from our February/March issue: When Paul found a dollar bill with the name “Esther” on it, he thought it was a funny coincidence–he just happened to be dating someone named Esther. When he presented it to her, though, she had a strange reaction. Two years later he found out why…
What about you? Do you have an unforgettable love story? Email us or share it with us on Facebook!
