True Love Stories: The Princess and The Dragon

"Once upon a time...," starts every great fairy tale filled with make-believe people searching for romance in fictional story worlds. But what if "once upon a time" in this real world, there was a real love story in the works? One better than a fairy tale?

Anybody who said happily ever afters do not exist in real life has not read today's featured true love story crafted so cleverly by a woman--or in the story sense "princess"--named Tiffany! :)

Curious to find out how a happily ever after can exist between married lovers in this day and age? Read this modern day fairy tale and discover why it's not only possible, it's beautiful! 

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The Princess and The Dragon

Tiffany Amber Stockton's true love story

Once upon a time a red-haired princess sat alone in her tower gazing out at a distant land. Though she was fair of face and form no prince had come to free her from her isolation. She dreamed of the time when she could escape the tower and live free. Her only relief came through the benevolence of a queen far away who let her attend a gathering of scribes once each year.

'Twas at the third one of these gatherings that she beheld a strange sight. A great blue-eyed dragon stood before the assembled scribes and spoke in a tongue most strange. Yet something about the dragon captivated the fair lady. Perhaps it was the longing she caught in his face or the quiet manner in which he held his audience of scribes captive. Thus, when once more in her lonely tower, she sought out the dragon through enchanted letters.

Now far away in his lair the great blue eyed dragon found these magical missives quite to his liking. Though he had been enchanted by other fair maidens who fled at his presence, and heard many frightful tales of princesses, he found this one to be far from threatening. At the fourth gathering of scribes, the sweet maiden and scaly beast formed an unlikely friendship, sharing merriment and meals together, and piquing the interest of the scheming madams of the land.

Something stirred in the hearts of the princess and the dragon even then. Though the dragon feared some sorcery might be afoot, he found the princess to be quite different from the ones he'd previously encountered.

The princess locked in her tower, sought to break the spells binding her heart through this connection with the dragon. Their messages continued to flow, and their friendship blossomed.

In the year of the fifth gathering of scribes, in the land of the lone star, the Unseen Hand who had been weaving the threads of these lives together quickened the loom. Though the blue-eyed dragon was loath to admit it, the red-haired princess had stolen his heart.

For three long months, the dragon fought against the tug of his love, and the princess did the same. Despite the counsel of several scribes in the far off land, the bond between her and the dragon could not be broken.

At last, wearied from his struggle, the dragon succumbed to the sweet bliss of the maiden's charms and flew to her tower. There, with a single kiss, the great dragon was transformed into a handsome blue-eyed prince with the gleam of the dragon still in his eyes. He swept her from her tower and carried her among the stars. From that glimmering sea, he plucked the brightest spark and pledged his undying love.

As it was proclaimed throughout the kingdom, from scribe to scribe, the fair princess, Tiffany Amber Miller, gave her consent to marry the noble prince, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, on the 28th day of the 7th month of the 2007th year. Festivities and celebrations took place throughout the kingdom, for this was the first marriage of two members of the esteemed scribes.

PART TWO

When last we left the fair princess, Tiffany, she had given her consent to marry the noble prince, Stuart Vaughn Stockton. Festivities abounded to celebrate the auspicious event, both in Princess Tiffany’s kingdom and in the kingdom of Prince Stuart. All were present to welcome her to her new castle where she now lives with her prince in jolly bliss.

Months passed as they adjusted to their new shared lives. The spells that bound her heart to her prince’s grew even stronger. The three-fold cord that ties these two together is stronger than any force that might attempt to break them apart.

After a year, their thoughts turned toward the flourishing of their new kingdom. After all, a kingdom cannot thrive if it does not grow. A few weeks later, the news they anxiously awaited finally arrived.

Do allow us to share that joyous decree with you now:

King Stuart and Queen Tiffany would like to announce the coming arrival of a wee bairn some seven months hence.

Thus, it was proclaimed throughout the kingdom and all neighboring lands, from scribe to scribe, in the early days of the 4th month of the 2009th year, we welcomed the arrival of the new little princess, and the child was christened into the world of the scribes.

PART THREE

Now, the fair queen, Tiffany, her beloved King Stuart, and the little princess Victoria prepare for yet another celebration. When last we met with this beloved family, the wee Victoria had yet to make her presence known to the world. Festivities abounded to welcome the darling to her new home. All came out to celebrate the much-anticipated event, and the details were recorded in the kingdom registry, preserved for all time.

Nearly seventeen months aft, the kingdom saw yet another addition to the royal family.

King Stuart and Queen Tiffany announced the coming arrival of a second wee bairn some six months hence.

And thus, it was proclaimed in the early days of the 4th month of the 2011th year, we welcomed the arrival of a new little prince, Richard. The child followed in the footsteps of the eldest sibling, joining Victoria in the world of the scribes.

And so they now live…happily ever after.

~*~
Bonus features: 

For more about Tiffany's real life, visit the "About" section of her official website, 
http://www.amberstockton.com/aboutamber.html

Engagement announcement slideshow, 
http://www.ritersbloc.com/surprise/announcement.htm

The Stockton's first baby announcement, 
http://www.eagle-designs.com/announcement/news.html

~*~
Author bio: 

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much.

Today, she has honed those childhood skills to become an award-winning author and speaker who has partnered with Nerium International in the anti-aging skin care industry, helping others look younger and live better. 

She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have one girl and one boy, a Retriever mix named Roxie and and Australian cattle dog named Timber. She has sold seventeen (17) books so far and is represented by agent Sandra Bishop of the TransAtlantic Agency.

Connect with Tiffany on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Buy books by Tiffany via www.amberstockton.com/books.html under the feature for Brandywine Brides

More about Brandywine Brides: Love and Literature Bind Three Couples in Historical Delaware

Nestled amid the beauty of historical Delaware, three generations of bookstore owners find love grows out of a shared love for great literature. Charlotte Pringle is pressured by her parents to marry advantageously, but while Richard Baxton loves her, he cannot provide for her because all his finances go to help his niece walk again. 

Grace Baxton is on the search for a missing heirloom book. Andrew Bradenton offers to help her, but his past mistakes cast him in a suspicious light, even while a dashing suitor catches Grace’s eye. After the loss of his friend and her brother on the Titanic, Aaron Stone encourages Lillian Bradenton to restore her hope by bringing a boarded-up bookstore back to life. 

Will each woman’s literature-inspired dreams lead her to the right man of faith and devotion?

True Love Stories: My Husband Ran Away with the Church Pianist!

The love story featured today is not as scandalous as you may think after reading that title. It's actually a very sweet and creative tale of how two small town residents found a big love. 

They say put God first in your romantic relationship and the closer you grow to God, the closer you'll grow to each other. I believe Carole's true love story proves that saying true. 

Read on to find out why...

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My Husband Ran Away with the Church Pianist!

Carole Brown's true love story

It happened one rainy night in the spring.

No, seriously, it was a warm September night that my hubby and I met.

I attended a small church in an equally small town and served as their pianist. I was also the Sunday School teacher for a group of precious and mischievous children which plays into our romantic story. In our church, we had a lot of special services, get-togethers and fun things throughout the year.

On this night, my hubby Dan showed up with his girlfriend and I found out later she was the one who wanted to come but tried to back out after they were on their way. He refused, and they attended. He was neat, well-dressed and nice looking. But he also came from a big family known as a tough, stick-together family. Not in my class by a long shot--or at least that’s what many thought since I was a wonderful example and a good girl (their description).

Two of those precious, mischievous children ran up to me and asked, “Do you like Danny?” Being the nice person I was I said, “Yes, of course.”

They promptly giggled and fled outside to spread the word unfortunately, in front of his girlfriend, that Carole liked Danny. He came back with, “I kinda like her too.”

That was the beginning. Three months later, he showed up in my driveway with a box of candy for Christmas. Early the next month, we attended a church function together. He wasn’t a Christian and I knew my own convictions were to not be involved with a non-Christian. Before I could explain that to him and refuse to see him anymore, he accepted Christ.

I didn’t just accept his choice, however. Having an over-protective mother who warned me against this rambunctious family and Danny in particular, I went to God and prayed about our relationship. Sure enough, he whispered to my heart, “Danny is the one,” and I never faltered from then on.

Did Dan run away with the pianist? Oh, yeah, but I went willingly. We’ve had many years of adventure, traveling, and serving together. We raised two wonderful sons and God has blessed us with three adorable grandboys. We’ve seen some of our dreams turn into successes. We have memories galore, valuable experiences learned, sorrows and sadness trodden through, mountain-top glories enjoyed, and so far, a life-time of happiness. 

I predict, God willing, that we have much more to see and do and experience in the years ahead for us as we eye retirement and continued enjoyment of our own writing journeys and other creative interests.

Would I do it again? You betcha!

~*~
Author bio: Carole Brown not only has her award winning (nominated for an Epic Award, RWA International Digital Awards finalist in Inspiration, Laurel Award finalist, Selah finalist; Genesis semi-finalist) debut novel The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman available for purchase now, but a companion book called West Virginia Scrapbook: From the Life of Caralynne Hayman which is filled with tidbits of information about West Virginia, quotes, recipes from West Virginia and from Caralynne’s life, pictures and discussion questions for the novel. 

Released November 1, 2014, it is the first book in a new WWII romantic suspense series: With Music In Their Hearts. Three red-headed sisters. Three spies. Three stories. 

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

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Connect with Carole:

Personal blog - http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Twitter - https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Carole contributes to these blogs: 

Stitches in Time - http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Barn Door Book Loft - http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/

True Love Stories: God's Awesome Handiwork

He was Mr. Popular and a pothead. She was a sweet girl destined to be a preacher's wife. They were dangerously in love. 

How did God weave a true love story between a popular teen with bad habits that threatened his future and a teenage girl whose love for romance and stories would lead to a successful career as an inspirational romance author when she grew up? 

Read today's featured true love story to discover answers to your questions, a testimony of how when God's Hand is over your life, any bad situation can be turned around for the good (Romans 8:28). 

~*~

God's Awesome Handiwork

Shannon Taylor Vannatter's true love story

My first love was David Cassidy back in the Partridge Family days. I was five when the show began, but by the second grade, I had a wall in my room papered with pull out posters of him from Tiger Beat Magazine.

My second love was John Travolta back in his Welcome Back Kotter days. The show started a year after the Partridge Family ended. Do you see what they have in common? Can you say hair?

When I was fifteen, a new boy came to our school and what was I supposed to do when I saw all that hair? Fall for him of course. All of the other boys at my school wore buzz or bowl cuts. Neither was popular back then. The new guy had black, naturally wavy hair to his shoulders, and the greenest eyes I’d ever seen. 

(Shannon's husband, high school photo)

I decided on the spot that I’d marry him. Yep, it was shallow, but several other girls made the same vow and he was soon Mr. Popular.

I was very shy and quiet, but as the months passed, the new guy finally noticed me and we began going together. We didn’t go anywhere together, since I couldn’t date until I turned sixteen. As my birthday neared, rumors began to circulate that my boyfriend drank heavily and smoked pot. Raised in church, I never tasted alcohol or tried smoking cigarettes, much less marijuana. Of course, when I asked him about it, he denied the rumors. I refused to believe the gossip and gave him the benefit of the doubt.

Finally, after months of waiting, my birthday came and my parents allowed me to date. The rumors continued and a strange aroma surrounded me whenever my guy was near. When I mustered the courage to ask about it, he told me the kid sitting behind us in class smoked a joint that morning.

I think I knew, but didn’t want to know. As the school year ended, the truth could no longer be denied. We hashed it out, no pun intended. Given an ultimatum, drugs and alcohol or me, he didn’t pick me. I spent the summer in tears and prayerfully placed the relationship in God’s hands.

The week before school started again, my ex-boyfriend came to my house. Claiming to have quit drinking and drugs, he wanted to get back together. Though cautious, I could soon tell the difference in him. He even started attending church with me. We dated throughout high school and graduated together.

Fast-forward. After fourteen years of marriage, my husband answered the call to preach. Though we were both Christians and had consistently attended church, I didn’t feel up to the task. But I supported him and stumbled into my new role.

Another change came when we entered into parenthood after sixteen years of marriage, our son was born. He was planned, he’s ours, and we never separated. We waited until we could afford for me to stay home.

Shortly afterward, I began attending monthly writer’s group meetings for my Mom’s night out. While I learned to write, my guys hung out at a local bookstore and Wal-Mart.

On a typical night, they dropped me off, then went to eat supper at their favorite restaurant before visiting their regular haunts. As usual, my meeting ran late. By the time I strolled across the parking lot, they’d been waiting thirty minutes. Once in the truck, hubby told me of his evening. At the restaurant, secured in the highchair, our little guy threw up. Not just a little, but apparently everything he’d eaten, all day long.

My husband wiped our son down, detected no fever, and ordered their food. Both ate, then raided our emergency clothing stash, and went on their way. Though he’s always a very hands-on father, I would have expected him to grab our child, pick me up early, and head home. I would have.

That night, thoughts of my high school boyfriend made me wonder if he would have coped so well with the events of the evening. You see, that long ago pothead and my incredible husband are one and the same.

During the intervening years, he recommitted his life to Jesus. That pothead I dated all those years ago is now a Baptist pastor. Though, he still has the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen, his hair is buzzed and thinning. He wears it well. In fact, he’s even more beautiful to me now. Not only does the heart of a father beat within him, but the heart of a man of God.

And after thirty years, we’re still going strong.

~*~
Author bio: Central Arkansas author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife. She lives in a town with a population of around 100, if you count a few cows and once climbed a mountain wearing gold wedge-heeled sandals which became known as her hiking boots. Vannatter won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award in the short contemporary category, The 18th Annual Heartsong Awards 3rd Favorite New Author and #1 Contemporary Award.

Shannon has ten published titles and is contracted for five more. Her books are available at christianbook.com, barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com and barbourbooks.com. 

Learn more about Shannon and her books at http://shannonvannatter.com and check out her real life romance blog at http://shannonvannatter.com/blog/.

Connect with Shannon:
Facebook - http://facebook.com/shannontaylorvannatter
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/29672798-shannon-vannatter, Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/stvannatter/ 
Twitter - @stvauthor.

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Buy Shannon's book Rodeo Family:

Tori Eaton is ready to start over.  

She's beginning a new chapter in Aubrey, Texas, away from her abusive ex-boyfriend. As she picks up the pieces of her broken life, Tori's surprised at the helping hand the church's new song director, Brant McConnell, offers her, and at the warm emotions he inspires. 

Brant is drawn to Tori. And as their friendship grows, so do his feelings for her. But Tori is still hounded by her past, and the walls she's built around her heart are high. Can he convince the wounded beauty that he's exactly the kind of man she needs—and deserves?

Purchase links for Rodeo Family:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1AElZjC

Christianbook.com - http://bit.ly/1DSIr9u

True Love Stories: When God Orchestrates Your Love Story

“Just let God do His thing. It’s easier for me to say that now but I really had to embrace that. Once I embraced that I wanted to focus on me and be sure that I was a whole person and I was enjoying my life as me, that’s when I met my husband.” 

~Mrs. D’Anya Brezzell

~*~
When God Orchestrates Your Love Story
D’Anya Brezzell’s true love story

He met her at a Friday night mixer hosted by a church in Maryland. She lived in New York at the time and was in town to visit her sister-in-law. The date was July 2011. He was the photographer for the event.

Nick the photographer walked over to D’Anya and introduced himself. He wanted to take her picture. After the photos were taken, D’Anya and Nick had their first real conversation and in the moment, D’Anya realized for the first time that was “it.”

“It was one of those things and it was funny because we’d both been in long term relationships and it didn’t work out,” she said. “We both were at a point where we said we need to just focus on ourselves and stop trying to find somebody.”

Nick took a step of faith and asked D’Anya for her phone number. Thirty minutes later, Nick approached D’Anya again, asking for her number because he did not save it properly in his phone. It was a courageous action that to D’Anya spoke volumes about Nick’s character as a man.

“Nick is what I like to call, ‘A man’s man’. He reminds me so much of my dad,” said D’Anya. “Little girls want to marry a man who has the best qualities of their dad. Nick takes on what I call the ‘three-P’s’ that are non-negotiable when finding a mate: He’s a provider. He’s a protector and he’s a priest.”

After their first telephone conversation, D’Anya and Nick spent every weekend together. D’Anya would often visit Nick’s church in Maryland to perform special music on stage during the worship service. One Saturday morning after performing, D’Anya sat down and had a serious, silent one-on-one conversation with God.

“You know, God, I moved to New York without your permission and where I really want to be is here,” D’Anya said. “But I want to be here knowing that You have orchestrated for me to be here.”

D’Anya is a teacher and wanted to stay in that career. So she filled out online profiles for school systems located in Maryland. Soon after, D’Anya received a phone call from a representative from a charter school in Washington, D.C. who wanted to arrange an interview. D’Anya was certain of God’s leading when this school system she did not fill out an application for decided immediately to hire her which moved D’Anya to another heart-to-heart with God.

“Wait, God, this is going too fast. I got the call on Monday. Here it is on Tuesday and I’ve got the job,” D’Anya said. “And He (God) was like, ‘Listen, if you want me to do something, it’s on My time, not on your time.’”

D’Anya filled out the paperwork and went through the necessary employment procedures. Meanwhile, she said another silent prayer.

“I told God if He wants to me be there, I need a financial blessing as well,” she said. “So the school exceeded my expectations and gave me a signing bonus. So I knew I had to move to Maryland.”

The Week Before the Proposal

After two months of dating Nick said to D’Anya, "You know, we should just get married. We’ve been there, done that. It’s like when you know, you know."

The marriage conversation happened in November 2011.

“He said he’s from a traditional family like me so he needs to talk to my dad to ask for my hand in marriage,” said D’Anya. “My dad is a tough cookie—no man is good enough for his girls and he has this like, sternness about him even when he has his idle face on. He’s very intimidating.”

A fearless Nick and a cautious D’Anya traveled to Massachusetts so Nick could meet her dad.

“My dad and Nick bonded over a common love—fishing. My dad told Nick before they finished fishing that he was going to give Nick his blessing even before he asked based on the good character he (my dad) saw in Nick over the past weekend spent with family,” D’Anya said.

It was the first week of December 2011 when Nick set up the scene for the real marriage proposal. He asked D’Anya to come over to his house in Maryland and bring her dog so they could take Christmas photos. Nick turned the living room into a studio with his professional camera equipment. He set the camera on a timer and began the photo shoot.

“As we’re taking pictures together, he kisses me for the first time and it was caught in the cycle of pictures,” D’Anya said. “He’s got the camera going every seven seconds and that’s when he proposed so he caught my real reaction. I was surprised!”

The wedding dress

Finding the perfect dress to fit her short and petite body frame was a concern for this bride, until she found the dress that was made just for her in David’s Bridal.

“I tried the off-white, one-shoulder dress. It was really pretty and I was like, 'This is really beautiful,'” said D’Anya. “But my sister-in-law was like, ‘Try on the pink one.’ And I was like, 'Pink?! No one’s going to wear a pink wedding dress! That’s so non-traditional. I’m a traditional girl.'"

But the sales associate convinced D’Anya to try it with one simple compliment.

“You have the personality to wear this dress,” she said. “None of the brides that come in here have the personality to pull it off. You however, my friend, do.”

D’Anya tried on the pink dress and emerged from the dressing room in love with it and unexpectedly caused quite a stir.

“The people in the lobby stopped looking at their brides and looked at me when I came out of the dressing room,” she said. “Everyone there said “yes” to the dress!”

Wedding Day News

“We actually got married three weeks before our wedding in Maryland on March 9 which is my birthday,” D’Anya said. “The pastor prayed with us at the office in the church, talked with us, signed the marriage license and that sealed it.”

D’Anya became Mrs. Nick Brezzell for the second time in April 2012 during their wedding ceremony held in front of family and friends at D’Anya’s church in Springfield, Massachusetts.

“I knew I should get married at home—the church was free, the church was beautiful,” D’Anya said. “It was free because I grew up there, my parents had their membership there and my grandma had been the organist for like 80 years. So it only made sense and then my grandmother really wanted to play me down the aisle.”

A baby born on Valentine’s Day

“She was our surprise baby,” D’Anya said of her and Nick’s firstborn child, Payton who will turn two years old today. “She’s a firecracker in attitude, stature and all of that. She’s not a pushover by any means.”

Payton was born on Feb. 14, 2013. The Brezzell’s second child, a boy named Cole, was born on Sept. 30, 2014 which made the Brezzell’s a family of four.

“He is a miracle baby like Payton. He was planned. We wanted to get it done and get it out the way,” D’Anya said. “I think Nick really wanted another girl but he’s happy with Cole.”

Advice for single ladies on Valentine’s Day

“Don’t get so caught up in finding someone. Embrace your singleness. Embrace God working on you because you can’t be in a relationship with two broken people,” D’Anya said. “You need to be a whole, happy person paired with another whole, happy person to have a whole, happy relationship and a happy marriage.”

God Loves You Always and Forever

Jesus Christ is Your Forever Valentine

True Love Stories: My Endless Love

I believe the classic song from 1981, "Endless Love" as performed by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, could easily be the perfect soundtrack to encapsulate today's featured love story.

It's the story of how God brought together a man after His own heart named Paul and a beautiful broadcast journalist named Debra. The introduction happened at church, the courtship began in high school and after being apart for years, a "spontaneous kiss that made time stand still" ignited a romance that led to marriage. 

Paul and Debra's story is not one free of tests and trials but because of their consistent faith in God and devotion to Him, theirs is a story of triumph and true, endless love.

Read on to have your faith in true, lasting love renewed...

~*~

My Endless Love

Chaplain Paul Anderson’s true love story

We met at church one Summer, Sabbath morning because I was standing at the rear entrance of the Ethnan Temple church with Chris, greeting people and she was late. Her mother sped through the light in her green Ford LTD, then screeched to a stop in front of the door. Out of the car crawled two cute young ladies, twins. Chris introduced me to Denise and Debra.

I was smitten but could not tell them apart, nor remember who was whom. After several months, I could finally distinguish them and felt my heart beat differently when Debra came around. I was 15 she was 14.

Our affinity for each other jelled at a church social. Somehow, we wound up on the same team playing Pit, a game that mimics the stock market.  We won! She looked at me with an admiration that I crave to this day. On November 19, 1972, I asked Debra to be my girlfriend. She said yes. I let her wear my Letterman jacket that I earned in Junior High school as a member of the Track team. With prescient arrogance, I told her that if she stuck with me, I would show her the world.

Our early teen romance was a bumpy path through most of high school. After my first semester in college, my father was transferred to San Antonio, TX. The move abruptly ended our courtship. Subsequently, I joined the Navy and spent the better part of four years overseas. I saw Debra occasionally when I came to Pittsburgh to visit my brother David.

In April 1981, I came home from a tour of duty in Japan. I visited Pittsburgh and went to church where I saw Debra. She did not speak to me. I came back to visit several times. Debra did not speak to me on either of those occasions. I was compelled to go back again, specifically to see and speak to her. My mission failed until Sunday afternoon. I had decided that if she did not speak to me, I would never return with an intent to see her. As I was pulling out of David’s driveway on Sunday afternoon, he came running out the door with the phone. Debra was on the phone. We spoke. She said that she was leaving work and asked me to wait for her to come by. 

She drove up in a red sports car. She climbed out of the car wearing white painter’s pants and a white tee shirt. We greeted each other with a spontaneous kiss that made time stand still. That kiss reignited all of the repressed passion of our unresolved, teen romance. Our courtship was a long distance whirlwind. We married in September 1981. Our commitment to love and cherish each other in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better or worse was almost immediately tested.

Our first child, Jared, was born in July 1982. I got out of the Navy and returned to school in September 1982. In March of 1983 I had a near fatal auto accident. Debra worked full time and nurtured me back to health. I was installed as the pastor of my first congregation in January 1985.  In February, D’Andria was born. In March, I had a near fatal illness. Debra worked and nurtured me back to health.

In September, we moved to the Seminary in Michigan. Debra left her lucrative job as a news reporter and moved to Michigan. That phase is where the poorer part of our vows was tested. For three years we lived on my student stipend and the GI bill. We survived the pressures of financial and emotional poverty. We have a testimony!

My dream of pastoral ministry budded when I graduated from the seminary. Debra proudly stood beside me as I was installed as a professional pastor and subsequently was ordained in ministry. Our path has had ups and downs, but the trend has always been upward and onward, never backward.

When the Navy called Debra did not hesitate or flinch. She celebrated the fulfillment of my life’s dream. We packed up and moved to Japan. Her enthusiasm calibrated the children’s response. Once again, she left a lucrative broadcasting career.

The adventures that I promised her began to unfold. Okinawa, Tokyo, Seoul, Guam, Hawaii. She became a fearless traveler and a world class shopper.   

Through the years we have supported each other’s dreams. God has rewarded our faithfulness with favor. My career as a Navy Chaplain has been a dream come true. God has fulfilled her career dreams in media, broadcasting and working on Capitol Hill. 

Thirty-tree years, two kids and three grandchildren later, we are still very much in love. God has been good to us and time has taught us many things, among them, the five pillars of marital success: God, Commitment, Respect, Intimacy and Forgiveness.

We have also learned that covenanting as partners in a holy purpose to enhance the world is the catalyst for miraculous impact. 

The purpose of marriage is to prepare for heaven by working together to make a positive difference in the here and now.When we work together to facilitate each other’s dreams, a synergy is created that makes the sum of our efforts greater than the parts thereof. That is the magic of triune oneness.When God is invited into and included in the marriage, He makes of the two, one force for good that can make the world a better place. He has done it with us. He can do it for others. 

~*~

Author bio: Chaplain Paul Anderson was born in Washington, D.C. He is an alumni of Pine Forge Academy, Columbia Union College (B.S.), Andrews University (M.Div), University of Maryland (M.Ed.), Boston University (STM) and Wesley Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He is a pastor, professor, chaplain, naval officer and a gentleman.

Paul's early career in ministry was in the Allegheny East Conference. He served in Pottstown, planted the church in Reading and completed renovation of the Southwest Philadelphia church. He also served in the Potomac Conference at the Sligo and Seabrook Seventh-day Adventist churches. His life dream was to be a Navy Chaplain. He is and has served a total of 25 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy. That career will end on February 21, 2015 when he retires. 

His fourth career will be as the Director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

He has been married for 33 years to his childhood sweetheart Debra. They have two children Jared and D’Andria. Jared is married to Anika. They have two daughters Noa and Quinn. D’Andria is married to Jermaine. They have a son Brayden and another under construction.

Chaplain Anderson’s favorite Bible verses are Psalm 37:4, Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 John 1:9 and Romans 8:28.