My Dear Future Husband,

Before you really read this, I need you to know that I am not perfect by any means. Yes, I'm sure you probably have the "perfect" picture in your mind about the "perfect" woman for you, but I want you to know that I'm really not your version of "perfect". If you mean I'm "perfect" from God's point-of-view, then we are on the same page; therefore, you can continue reading this personal letter dedicated for you.

Now, I'm sure you've already gotten the sense that I'm a believer in Jesus Christ (absolutely). If I wasn't, I would not have had the opportunity to write this letter to you, because I probably would have been long, long gone (that's another story worth sharing when we meet). Anyway, I just wanted to write this for you to know what I expect from you as my life-long partner. Before I get into the nitty-gritty stuff you would want to know, I hope my usage of the word "expect" does not elude to some kind of dictatorship sort of companionship you would assume I could be referring to, because I am not. I don't believe in that. The day I say "I do" to you at the aisle in front of our friends and family, know that I'm also saying "I do" to what our marriage is supposed to look like from God's eyes. After that sacred moment were we both say "YES" to each other, know that I will be completely sold out to you as your wife. Know that I would have set you as my second most important priority in everything I do under God. Only under God, because He is priority number one for me. If you have understood everything I have said up to this point, I'm confident you understand where I'm coming from...and it's a good place. I promise. It's a good place, because I know our values and morals will align accordingly--something that is truly important to me. Honey, I want you to be a God-fearing man who sets his eyes on Christ's mission. I want you to love Him with all your heart, because that's how I'll know you and I are meant to be. That's how I will know that you truly understand who I am to you.

Ever since I was a little girl, one of my biggest dreams was to get married to someone identical to the stereotypical "prince charming". Oh, I had high hopes alright! I had hopes that one day prince charming would rescue me, and we would live happily ever after. This was way over a decade ago! Now after doing A TON of growing up, I realized that the "real world" prince charming was probably not going to show up armored and ready to sweep me off my feet just yet. The "real world" prince charming was going to be a man who probably went through a lot of "figuring things out" and most essentially, figuring out the value Jesus brings in his life and others. The moment I came to terms with that, my "perfect" world was disoriented into a world of questions, questions, QUESTIONS (some of which I'm still figuring out). But, as of this very moment, I feel confident that God has led me right where I need to be, and I'm perfectly okay with that. It's fine, because it's His plan that matters, not my own. Going back to my fairy tale spiel, the whole point in me rambling on about that was to tell you that I kinda do want a "prince charming"...to some extent. I definitely want a confident, intelligent, and humble man (not a boy) who will value me, bring happiness to my life, be chivalrous in many ways, and will even help me understand Christ more in a way I never thought before! I'm most attracted to that. I want a man who is not afraid to show his weaknesses and learn from them to become a better man whole-roundedly. Honestly, there is nothing better than a real man with real ambitions, a real heart, and a true passion for Christ. Nothing better.

Ultimately dear, I want you to be you. Be free to be yourself around me, and I will do the same. Right now, I'm on my own individual path to continue to get as close as I can to Christ and honestly because of that, I feel like my purpose has become crystal clear. I've finally discovered that "thing" that gets me pumped every morning, and that makes me feel so content. I feel pretty darn good about that! On another note, all these years I wondered why I couldn't find you sooner, but I'm glad things turned out the way they did. If we met earlier, I wouldn't have been ready spiritually and mentally. I had other priorities, plus that old chapter of my life taught me valuable lessons, which have all made me a stronger and confident woman--I thank God for that.

My dear future husband, I hope this letter didn't catch you by surprise because I know you probably understand everything I've said. I hope this letter gives you a greater sense of certainty that you are God's version of perfect for me--a specially tailored and uniquely created fit for me. As I write, I write with the upmost confidence that one day God will officially unite us and bless our marriage with a profound love I'll never understand. Until then, my future husband, I hope you write this verse on your 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." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

I will write this on my heart as well and remind you again the day we get married.

Love,

Your Future Wife