Barbara and Gil (Photo)

Categories: Dating, Pen Pals, Friends: Success Stories
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Submitted by: Nannette | View Member Profile | View Other Posts
Created: 4/25/2003

Dear Nannette & Larry,

I am happy (and still very surprised) to tell you that Gil (Gilbert) and I (Bella43) have now been married one month, after meeting on your service.

Gil lived in Bakersfield and I live in Indiana. The day after I joined, I dashed off a friendly hello in response to something funny Gil had written in his profile, without any expectation of a reply. Gil had an ironclad rule that he wouldn't pursue someone without a photo, but for some reason we struck up a friendly banter in spite of the fact that I didn't have a photo online. I was also rather skeptical that I could meet anyone, after several online near disasters.

When he asked about me, I told him that I hate children, can't cook, live in a pigsty, and walk in my sleep with an ax! He was undeterred.

Our first phone conversation lasted for over six hours and it was soon apparent that we enjoyed each other's company. One problem was the distance between us. Neither of us wanted to move because of our obligations, so at first it seemed like a really bad idea to even get involved. We decided to pray and give our relationship some time to see what would develop.

Our first meeting was at the airport. Gil knew that I had a sense of humor and got off the plane wearing fake "Bubba" teeth--he looked hilarious and we both burst out laughing when he grinned at me with what looked like tobacco stained, buck teeth. And we were both thrilled with each other.

I ended up having unexpected major surgery and Gil flew in to help take care of me when I got home. He won my heart by being the most concerned, solicitous "nurse" anyone could have. By the end of that visit we were discussing wedding dates. He was rather vocal about how smitten he felt, too.

One of his emails read, "You are what dreams are made of and I hope I never wake up." It doesn't get better than that!

Last month we had a private wedding in a park overlooking a valley and mountains in Southern California. I'm still pinching myself, wondering if this really happened to us. Gil has relocated to Indiana and is getting settled into life here.

Why did this service work for us? Probably because of God's perfect timing and the prayers we prayed asking for a Christian partner. God has been very good to us. I still can't believe the wonderful emotional fit Gil and I share, nor the similarities in our backgrounds, our likes and dislikes, and basic approach to life.

I am truly blessed and just wanted you to know. And as my last email to Gil on this service ended, I can say again, Praise God to whom all blessings flow.

Thank you for this wonderful service.

Barbara Hernandez