he soft glow of twinkling white lights. Improvised music softly playing from an iPhone. And two people destined to fall in love dancing sweetly under a white wooden gazebo, its railings twirled with Christmas garland.
It was early in December 2010 when Paul and Rebecca shared a romantic date that ended with a moonlit dance. The two had been dating just a few months after meeting on the online dating website eHarmony in October. They had their first date at Three Sheets in Atlanta. He loved her dimples and eyes. She was charmed by his smile and was excited that he was so tall. Little did they know it would be their last first dates ever.
"All I remember is that when I first met her in person I couldn't stop smiling," Paul said."Since we got to know each other online, I had a pretty good idea of her personality, but when I saw her, it all clicked together in my heart, so in turn, my smile took over. If I had to choose my favorite thing about her when I first met her, it would be the warm, comfortable feeling she gave me."
It didn’t take long before Rebecca was smitten.
"It’s hard for me to pinpoint one moment but here is one that comes to mind when I think I fell in love with him," she said."On our fourth or fifth date, we went to dinner at Steinbeck’s in Oakhurst. I got up to use the bathroom and when I returned to the table, Paul turned his iPhone around to reveal rolling text, like in the credits at the end of the movies. I read the text word by word as it said ‘I want to kiss you.’ I smiled and he leaned across the table to kiss me."
For Paul, the life-altering experience of his father’s death cemented his love for Rebecca.
"Her devotion to me and the genuine love she showed to me, my mom and my family during a tough time made me know that my love for her was true and that she was the one I'd been searching for," Paul said."She showed me she would be by my side no matter what. Later on, my devotion to her was tested. God and my heart told me His path for us was meant to be traveled together."
Paul made their shared path official Feb. 25, 2012, when he proposed to Rebecca on a crisp winter day at Crane Creek Vineyards in Young Harris, Ga. They are excited for their wedding, which will be March 2, 2013, and they can’t wait to add to their family, which includes their fluffy, white rescue dog, Pippa, and orange tabby cat Annie.
"I am so excited to be marrying someone who makes me want to be a better person each day," Rebecca said. "And I am looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us on our journey."
_______
By Erika Anderson
