New Segment: Guest Blogs from Former Couples

I've been kicking around the idea for some time of featuring more stories directly from my couples who are willing to share them. Meg reached out to me for a different reason, but it just seemed like great timing with their anniversary coming up to see if we can get started on this new endeavor! So without Further ado, in her own words, here's Meg McCarthy's Story.

Meg McCarthy

A Love Story Rooted in Faith: God's Plan for Us

There’s an age-old saying that “everything happens for a reason,” and if our story is any proof, I’d say God truly had a plan. Alex and I started dating at a time when, to be honest, we probably shouldn’t have. It was right before Alex left for boot camp with the Marine Corps, and both of us were at a crossroads in life. We were young, full of dreams, and not really thinking about long-term relationships. But as fate would have it, there was something undeniably magnetic about our connection.

Before Alex left, we made a simple promise to each other: we would write letters. It wasn’t anything profound at the time, but it was a small way of staying connected, of holding onto the thread that kept us tied together, even as distance separated us. 

And we did hold to that promise for a while. But, as happens with many young relationships, life pulled us in different directions. Slowly, through the passage of time and the challenges that came with distance, we grew apart. Our letters stopped coming, and life moved forward. I thought that chapter in my life had closed, and as much as I had cared for Alex, I didn’t expect to ever hear from him again.

Seven years went by. Seven long years filled with personal growth, heartbreaks, and learning. I had completely moved on in my mind, but as they say, when God has a plan, nothing can stand in its way. Out of nowhere, I received a message from Alex on Facebook. To say I was shocked is an understatement. There I was, living my life, never expecting our paths to cross again, and suddenly, Alex was back in my world.

That message was like a spark reigniting something I didn’t even realize still had a flame. It’s funny how life works sometimes. You think you’ve left something behind, only for it to come rushing back to you when you least expect it. Alex and I started talking again, and it was as if no time had passed. The connection we once shared came back stronger than ever, and we both felt it.

Our first meeting after all those years apart was nothing short of magical. It was one of those moments where words don’t do justice to the feelings inside. From the moment we laid eyes on each other again, we just knew. There was no doubt, no hesitation—it was like we were meant to be all along. That night, we realized that no matter how much time had passed, we were always meant to find our way back to each other.

After dating for a few months, Alex sat me down and told me something that weighed heavily on his heart. He shared with me that he didn’t think he could have children. He told me this with such honesty and vulnerability, and I could see the sadness in his eyes as he revealed a part of himself that he feared might push me away. But once again, God had a plan. Not long after that conversation, we got the incredible news that we were expecting a son. It was a moment of pure joy and disbelief. It was like the universe was reaffirming that we were meant to be together, and this was our reward for trusting in the process.

The Moment I Knew

There are certain moments in life that stay with you forever, and for me, that moment came when Alex kissed me in the driveway of his house on Johnny Mercer. It was a simple gesture, but in that kiss, something shifted inside me. I knew right then and there that he was the one. In my heart, I saw Alex as the father of our children, the man I would spend the rest of my life with. Of course, I didn’t say that out loud—I mean, who says something like that after a kiss? It would have been way too soon, and I would’ve come off as a little crazy. But deep down, I knew. It was a feeling I had never experienced before, and to this day, I still can’t quite put it into words. But that’s the beauty of love, isn’t it? It’s more than just words. It’s a knowing, a certainty that you’ve found your person.

As the days turned into months, my love for Alex grew deeper and stronger. Every day with him felt like a blessing. He wasn’t just my partner; he was my best friend, my confidant, and the person who brought me peace in a way no one else could. Life with him felt complete. He taught me patience—something I desperately needed—and helped me become the woman and mother I am today.

Vows That Reflect Our Journey

When it came time to say our vows, I knew I wanted them to reflect the journey we had been on, the trials we had overcome, and the love that continued to grow between us. Standing before Alex on our wedding day, I prayed for the right words, and these were the vows that came from my heart:

"I prayed for you. Every single day, I thank God for blessing me with someone like you. From the moment you kissed me in your driveway, I knew you were the one. I saw you as the father of our children, even though I couldn’t tell you that back then. It would’ve been too soon, but it was a feeling I’ve never been able to shake. You are the blessing I prayed for, and I know that God brought us back together all those years later for a reason.

Every day that passes, I fall more and more in love with you. You’ve already given me the two greatest gifts anyone could ask for: your love and our beautiful son. You are my best friend. You’ve taught me patience, and you’ve helped me become the woman and mother I am today. Your love gives me comfort, and more than anything, you are the strength I didn’t know I needed.

You always know how to calm me down when I’m overwhelmed or anxious. Being with you has brought me joy, comfort, and faith in knowing that I will always be loved and adored endlessly. Every time I get an 'I love you' text from you throughout the day, it brings the biggest smile to my face. With this ring, I promise that you will never have to face the world alone. I promise to take care of everything at home when you’re out working hard. I promise to love you for who you are and for who you are meant to become.

No matter how wrong you might be, I will always tell you that you’re right. I choose today and every day to spend the rest of my life with you."

Our Journey Together

Alex and I have built a life together that I could have only dreamed of all those years ago. He is my rock, my safe place, and the man who has given me the greatest gift of all—our son. Our love story is a testament to the power of faith and the belief that God always has a plan, even when we don’t see it.

Our journey wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it. Every challenge, every obstacle, every moment of doubt was leading us to this beautiful life we now share. It’s funny to think back on the years we spent apart, not knowing that one day we would find our way back to each other. But that’s the thing about love—it has a way of finding you when you least expect it.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing about our story. Every twist and turn, every detour, led us to where we are today. And as I stand by Alex’s side, raising our son together, I know that we are exactly where we are meant to be.

God had a plan for us all along. We just had to trust in it.