He won’t buy the cow if he’s getting the milk for free. Most of us have heard this or some similar advice growing up. Advice from your loved ones was to wait until marriage, but society paints a different picture. If you go by television and radio, it’s not looking good for the home team, but I have proof that true love is worth the wait. Jeff and Sunni are one year into forever, and they did not only choose to wait to marry each other, but they also decided to wait, period. Jeff, 40, and Sunni, 36, were virgins when they married in 2018. Their story is not only one of true love but one in faith.
How They Met According to Jeff
Jeff first met Sunni at the St. Regis hotel while attending a friend’s wedding. The two talked throughout the night, and Jeff learned that Sunni lived close by, so he offered her a ride home. Jeff knew Sunni’s cousin, so he got her telephone number and called but couldn’t reach her. The two ran into each other twice over the next, wait for it. . .10 years!
How They Reconnected
A friend of Sunni’s family was also one of Jeff’s business clients. The family friend told Jeff that she knew someone that he should meet. The friend had no idea that Jeff’s and Sunni’s paths had crossed a few times over the past decade. As soon as Jeff heard Sunni’s name, he knew who she was. Jeff called Sunni to meet up for a casual coffee date at the St. Regis Hotel. The two met for coffee, and unlike 10 years ago, this time there was an instant connection. Even though it was a bit cold outside, Jeff walked to the hotel because it was close to where he lived. By the time the date ended, the temps had dropped even more. This time, Sunni offered Jeff a ride home.
How They Dated According to Sunni
Sunni remembers leaving the first date with thoughts of how much she enjoyed spending time with Jeff, a feeling she hadn’t experienced on other dates. From that moment, the two began dating regularly. Within months, they were planning a ski trip together.
The Wait
Jeff says he knew early on that Sunni was the one, which is why his vow to wait for marriage meant so much. He remembers chastity being easy in the beginning, but nine months into the engagement, the sacrifice was much greater. Sunni says the two of them agreed that they valued the sacredness of the covenant they were going to enter and that held them to a higher purpose.
The Right Time and The Right Place
Sunni shares that there’s no way they could have reconnected unless God had his hands in it. Jeff believes his client was the vehicle God chose to lead him back to Sunni again after 10 years.
True Love is Worth the Wait
Both Sunni and Jeff admit that 10 years prior, neither one of them were prepared for the love God had in store. Sunni admits that she dated a lot of clowns. Jeff says he believes they both had to undergo some less than desirable life experiences to prepare them for each other.
Two Days Before I Do
Jeff “I feel in many ways that she gave my life new purpose and saved me in a lot of ways.”
Sunni
“He is what I prayed for my whole life. He is things that I didn’t even know that I needed in my life. I prayed for someone to make me a kinder person, and he’s a genuine, kind soul. Waiting for true love is why I waited so long to get married, and I’m grateful that I did.”
One Year After Jeff
“Having someone to spend your life with is one of God’s greatest gifts. I feel so lucky to go through life with Sunni.”
Sunni
“Looking back on a year, we have definitely had many ups and downs as nothing is perfect, but I feel so lucky to go through those moments with someone by my side who I love with all my heart.”
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.--I Corinthians 13: 4-8
How I Met Sunni – The ‘Soul’ Reason for this Post
I believe God brings things full circle. After celebrating my sorority sister’s birthday with some spa treatments and brunch, we made our way to the lobby for the usual impromptu photo shoot. There wasn’t a willing soul in sight until Sunni came along with the brightest smile and sweet personality. Before we could ask, Sunni offered to take our pics. Afterward, we mentioned how refreshing it was to encounter such a sweet spirit. As God’s fate-by-design would have it, a few of us returned to the spa to detox in the sauna. What a pleasant surprise to find Sunni relaxing in the same sauna! We all chatted as if we’d known each other for years. We talked about friendship, love, men, men and men. I noticed Sunni’s ring finger sparkled so I had to ask. When she shared her story about Jeff, I knew it was worth posting. I asked for permission to share their story as we baked in the St. Regis sauna. This is the same St. Regis where Jeff first met Sunni at his friend’s wedding 10 years earlier and the same St. Regis where Jeff and Sunni had their first date after reconnecting. I don’t believe in coincidences. God placed us in each other’s paths for a purpose. I believe my purpose was to share Jeff and Sunni’s love story. True love does exist. God-ordained love is better than anything you can dream up on your own. God’s timing is always right on time!
*Names have been changed to protect our couple’s privacy.