His Version 

I was on Facebook and came across this picture of Tiffanie. I knew I couldn’t just scroll by her picture and not say something. I just knew. I was attracted to her smile and her beauty. We weren’t friends or nothing, but I was able to see a little bit of what she was about. It didn’t take me long, I just had to think about what to say. 

I introduced myself and told her I wanted to get to know her. She didn’t say nothing, but I knew I needed to let her know what kind of person I was. We’re adults and I wasn’t here to play games. I assured her I’d be consistent and respectful with her. She hit me back.

Without me even knowing her, she seemed really peaceful and down to earth. I could tell she was a no-nonsense type of person, and I wasn’t trying to disrupt her peace. We talked for a long time over text and facetime. I wasn’t rushing, I just loved talking to her. She just felt good and right.

We talked on the phone back and forth for a while and then finally met up. I had just moved to Dallas to be closer to my sister, I loved my job, and was really good where I was in life. But Tiff was making it even that much better. I knew she was concerned about the distance, but that really wasn't a thing. I told her that and I told her I wanted more.

I knew how she felt about her family, Godchildren, businesses, and church, and it was no way she was moving. I wouldn’t even want her to consider it. I was willing to give up everything for her. It was the only way I could show her my commitment. I prayed long and hard for her and about us, but God had already showed me she was the one from the beginning. I not only fell in love with her, but with her family and she with mine.

She’s easy to love. I knew we were serious; it was just about me acting on it. I’ve known since the beginning I wanted to marry her because of the person she is. Asking her to be my wife was one of the easiest and best choices I’ve ever made. I just pray God continues to show me how to lead and love her as He would.

Her Version

I saw a message come through in my Facebook Messenger from a contact I didn't know. I didn't open it, but did notice the profile pic was of a cute guy in a white baseball cap. I figured it was business-related or an 'unwelcomed solicitor' trying to run some lame game. 

A couple of days went by, and I mistakenly opened the message (I thank God that He doesn't make mistakes, though). The message read, "Hello, my name is Jay and I'd like to get to know you." It wasn't the typical "What's up, Pretty Lady" rhetoric so I didn't block him; instead, I browsed his profile some and saw post of scriptures, family, career, and of course vintage cars nestled in his timeline. I still didn't respond.

A few days later, he wrote, "I promise to be consistent and respectful, if you respond." I replied, "My name is Tiffanie, what more would you like to know?"

We communicated solely through written messages for some time. He was refreshing. We then decided to face-time because I wasn't ready to exchange phone numbers, yet (I could still block him on Messenger if I wanted. Lol. But I didn't want to). I was relieved that the cute guy in the white baseball cap wasn't catfishing me - he was actually cuter. The first thing I noticed was how long his eyelashes were. Secondly, he was tatted -- sleeves, neck, and all (and I definitely liked that!)

After months of writing and facetime chats, I finally gave him my number. Jarvis was a breath of fresh air. He loved God and loved his family -- my two non-negotiables. Everything else can be figured out! Through long, consistent conversations, I found him to be one the kindest, most gentle men I had ever met ... even though we hadn't yet met.

I wasn't looking to go any further than a friendship because he just moved from Illinois to the Dallas to be with family (and I certainly wasn't moving from my family in San Antonio). When I expressed my concern to Jarvis, he said "What's that got to do with anything? Why would I let distance get in the way of what's developing." He assured me, and we continued talking. 

After a long period of writing, video chatting, and phone conversations, we agreed to finally meet in person. I felt like I had known him for a lifetime. We traveled back and forth, from Dallas to San Antonio for another long period of time; but when he made the choice on his own to move away from his family and relocate to San Antonio, I knew, I too, needed to be fully committed to him.

God shows me His love through Jarvis. He cares for my heart through prayer and with gentleness. He displays his love without reservation. He is holding true to his promise of being a consistent and considerate man. I hear him praying over my soul and see him loving my family. He is a caretaker, a tremendous father to his/our children, and he respects himself as he does others.

We are flawed and far from perfect. We are yet works in progress. However, we don't allow our past to dictate our future, and we are clear-eyed in our love for God, humanity, and each other.

I thank God for trusting me to be Jarvis' wife. It is an honor to become Mrs. Day. I am so grateful I waited on who God had for me and not being persuaded to my own understanding. Cheers to #foreverandaday and to the cute guy in the white baseball cap!

When I began to realize what our relationship was becoming, unbeknown to Jarvis, I began to take quick screenshots of our facetime calls - I knew it would eventually be part of our story. Here's a few dozen of those facetime calls that I snapped along with some of our first dates!