They say love finds you when you least expect it. For me, it found me across an ocean, through a screen, in the middle of a global pandemic. This is the story of how Steve and I went from strangers on the internet to partners for life.
The Beginning
We met online during a time when meeting in person wasn't possible. What started as casual conversations quickly became daily video calls that stretched for hours. Time zones didn't matter. We made it work.
Steve was different from anyone I'd ever talked to. He was kind, patient, funny in ways that made me laugh until my stomach hurt, and genuinely curious about my dreams and passions. He listened—really listened—and remembered the little things.
The Long Distance Years
Long distance is hard. Anyone who tells you otherwise hasn't lived it. The time difference, the missed calls, the longing to simply hold hands during a movie—it tests every fiber of your commitment.
But we found our rhythm. Morning coffee for me was his evening wind-down. We watched shows together over video call, pausing to discuss what just happened. We sent care packages. We counted down days until our next meeting.
When Borders Kept Us Apart
There was a period when circumstances made it impossible for Steve to enter Canada, and for me to enter the United States. The borders that separated us felt crueler than ever. But love is creative, and we found a loophole.
The Peace Arch border crossing. This unique spot where the US and Canada meet has an international park—a place where people from both countries can meet without technically crossing into the other. We drove hours just to spend a few precious hours together on that neutral ground.
Those Peace Arch meetings became our lifeline. Standing there, one foot in each country, we dreamed of the day when borders wouldn't matter anymore.
Traveling the World Together
When we finally could be together, we made up for lost time. We traveled. A lot. Costa Rica became our remote work paradise—go-karting, spotting sloths, living the pura vida life. Every trip brought us closer.
Travel showed us how well we fit together. We navigate airports seamlessly, compromise on restaurants easily, and share the same sense of wonder when exploring new places. Some couples struggle with travel; for us, it became our love language.
Saying “I Do”
Our wedding was everything we dreamed of. Standing there in front of our loved ones, with the neon sign glowing “1 John 4:19” behind us—“We love because He first loved us”—I knew that every hard moment of the long-distance years was worth it.
At our reception, we held photos of our late fathers. They couldn't be there in person, but their presence was felt. The “Faith, Hope, Love” sign reminded us of what truly matters.
To Anyone in Long Distance
If you're reading this and you're in a long-distance relationship, I want you to know: it can work. The distance doesn't have to be the end of your story. It might just be the beginning.
The time difference teaches you to be intentional. The physical distance teaches you to communicate better. The longing teaches you to never take presence for granted.
Steve and I are proof that love doesn't need to be convenient to be real. It just needs to be worth it. And for us, it always was.
“We love because He first loved us.”
— 1 John 4:19