God created one race–the human race.

Acts 10:34-35 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'”

Ever since I was little, I've always dreamt of one day living that "fairytale" and having a relationship like the ones that I saw in all the love story movies. As I've gotten older, I've realized that those fairytale love stories are nothing but a script that some author dreamt up and wrote for actors to portray. No relationship is perfect because no human being is perfect. But let me tell you, at 20 years old, I found a love that's perfect for me. Now I'll be honest–growing up I never imagined that the man I'd end up with would be the opposite race as me, but of course, God had a different plan for me. And for this I'm thankful.

As you might have already suspected, yes, we get judged for being together because of our skin colors being different. Do we let that change how we feel about each other? No. And we shouldn't. Love shouldn't discriminate. Why would we pass up on something so amazing and God-centered because of a few pointless remarks? A lot of people might say that us being together is "ungodly" and that we're sinning. I'm here to tell you that this is not true. God has been in our favor since day one and I am blessed to have met my soulmate at such a young age.

You see, Justin and I knew each other in high school. We had tons of mutual friends and we saw each other almost every day at the lunch table. At this time, I only saw him as the guy that I shared my lunch with and then went about my day. Little did I know that years later, he would turn into my absolute best friend and man that I will marry.

After high school, I began attending 318live on Monday nights. This is a young adult ministry held here in Shreveport. Justin also attended and this is where our friendship grew. We became inseparable. We began to hangout, text each other constantly. And finally he grew up the courage to ask me out. Today, we've been together for about two and a half years and I wouldn't change a thing. I'm not going to sit here and make it seem like everything has been peachy keen between us. Because what relationship is perfect? But, God has definitely worked in us and our relationship, and looking back I can definitely see growth in us individually as well as together as a couple.

I am a firm believer that the fact that our skin color is different plays a big part on us being such a strong couple. We have learned to lean on each other in the hard times, to trust God when everything seems like it's going wrong, and to know that our love for each other is all that matters.

I'm writing this article in hopes that someone else who might be going through the same thing- who may be judged for doing what makes them happy, or who may be scared to do what makes them happy because of the judgement they may receive, will see this. I want to inspire people to do what makes them happy and to ignore all the rest. Trust God and know that His judgment is the only judgment that matters. You might lose friends along the way. But just know that if the people in your life love you and care for you, they will want nothing but for you to be happy and will support you no matter what.

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

One of the things I love the most about Justin is the fact that we are literally the same person. I have never met someone who looked so different than me on the outside, but on the inside we're practically the same. There is not a dull moment between us. We can be completely silly and crazy one minute, and the next we can be super serious and giving each other advice about something. He truly is my best friend and this is one factor I've always wanted in the man that I spend the rest of my life with. I know without a doubt that our lives together will never get boring. I know that 50 years from now when we're old and wrinkly, and have lived our lives to the fullest, we will still be laughing hysterically about something that only we would find funny.

Another one of my absolute favorite things about Justin is his pure, Godly heart. He makes it a point to pray over us and our meal before we eat. And whenever I have an issue that needs prayer, he always makes sure to pray over me. I fell in love with this amazing attribute and I am truly happy that God created him for me.

I say all of these things because his skin color is only that- a skin color. It's not a threat, nor a deciding factor of our future. It's just something he was born with. He just so happens to have more melanin in his skin than me. But in my eyes, he is the man I've chosen to grow with, love, and spend the rest of my life with.

I prayed for a man like Justin to come into my life, and I've learned that if I just trust in God, He will give me the desires of my heart.

So, for those out there needing a little boost of confidence in your situation, just listen to your heart. It would not happen if it wasn't meant to happen. And God would not have laid it on your heart if it was something He didn't want for you.

As for me- I'm choosing happiness. I'm choosing love. I wouldn't want to endure life's struggles and hardships with anyone else. I have God's acceptance. I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, I close by saying- don't let the best thing that ever happened to you slip between your fingers because of something other people might think about it. You will look back one day and wish that you would've just followed your heart.

Sincerely, the white girl who's in love with a black man.

First Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”