People believe that love will find you when you least expect it. That's exactly what happened to me when I met Stephanie Walton.

It all began with my sister telling me I need to step outside my box, my comfort zone, and see what the world has for me. I never would have joined a dating site had it not been for her advice. I liked some of Stephanie's pictures because she looked super cute with a hat on - she was just my speed! I was fortunate enough to have received a response from her and we started to message each other for a while. I finally decided to pull the trigger and I asked if we could exchange numbers and she accepted. We conversed a few times and there was a shared interest and commonality between us. So, we decided to meet at a local restaurant in Hampton for Brunch, The Grey Goose. I will never forget watching her walk up the sidewalk looking cute as ever and I told myself “This is it for me!” There was a peace and tranquility that followed her and it was captivating. I liked it!

We sat, ate, had some drinks and talked for a couple of hours. She gave me every “OUT” that you can imagine to not waste her time. I liked it! So we continued our journey that day and went to a tattoo convention since she is into body art. I liked It! We started to date, seeing each other every weekend, and quickly came to the agreement to not waste each other's time. Either we were going to move forward together or continue our life journeys separately. Not only did I like it and I started to love it!

Fast forward, after many weekend getaways, meeting our families, attending events together, traveling to Costa Rico, going thru one of the roughest times in her life with the passing of her beloved father, welcoming my first granddaughter into this world - all I could think and say to myself was, "This is 'still' it for me!”

On June 24, 2023, after one year of dating, I plotted to ask for her hand in marriage at about midnight, when she least expected it. We were visiting her friends in New Jersey and while in our hotel room, getting ready to retire for the night, I got my nerve up and asked, "Hey! Can I ask you a question?" She responded half sleep, “Yes”! I then got on one knee, beside the bed and asked, “Will you marry me?” She sat up with the biggest smile I have ever seen from her, and she replied “YES!!!”

Fast Forward a little more than one year later .... Here we are, planning our wedding for June 28, 2025 in St. Maarten. A PLACE OF HAPPINESS AND COMFORT!!!! and WE LOVE IT!!

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. (Corinthians 13:4-8)

This is what real, lasting love looks like - Our love!!

It is a kind, strong, patient, enduring and humble kind of love ... and WE LOVE IT!

St Maarten Tours & Excursions (UPDATED 2024) (viator.com)