In the great city of Fayetteville, NC, two souls unknowingly shared the same space and air. Eric Taylor and Michelle McDonald Cavanagh grew up on either side of town from one another. Our lives were intertwined in ways that we would only come to realize much later. Eric, a Westover Wolverine, Michelle an E.E. Smith Golden Bull were high school rivals and had no idea that we shared both friends and experiences!

As we both knew that we would draw away from Fayetteville to begin our lives as adults, Michelle moved to Norfolk, VA to attend school while Eric joined the Navy and was stationed there. Once again, our lives ran parallel, separated by a thin line of fate. We both frequented the same night clubs, walked the same beaches, and yet, our paths never crossed.

Years later, we both found ourselves relocating to Charlotte, NC. Michelle had transferred her job in banking, while Eric had transitioned to civilian life. Unbeknownst to us, we lived twelve miles apart. Michelle frequented a nearby cigar lounge and Eric found himself there on weekends as well- again, never meeting. Our lives continued to brush against each other without ever fully connecting. We shopped the same grocery stores, dined the same restaurants, went to the same parties, even shared mutual friends, but fate kept us out of each other's reach.

On July 7, 2023, Michelle's cousin, Elisha, invited her to a kick back that her "big brother," Eric was having for her birthday. Begrudgingly, Michelle decided she'd attend for the sake of her cousin (due to the fact that she was just finishing up an hour-long deep tissue massage and wanted to go home and go to bed). The gathering was meant to be a simple kick back of friends and family, with no intention of Elisha playing matchmaker. However, love often finds a way when least expected.

Michelle arrived at the kickback with her mind preoccupied with not staying long so she could get home and go to bed! They introduced themselves and exchanged pleasantries; however, it wasn't until we started talking that we realized we had several connections and near-misses that we've shared over the years. Over the next month our conversations deepened, and we had a "meet up" at our local cigar lounge until Eric officially asked Michelle out on a date. After a couple of phone calls to Elisha and Alexis (who was with Michelle on their first encounter), she decided to agree to a date.

During the first date, Eric was a complete gentleman, we spent over two hours at the restaurant talking about our time in Fayetteville, Virginia and now Charlotte. Our shared history created a bond that felt both familiar and excitingly new. We worshipped together at church, prayed often and shared some of our deepest darkest secrets. Two months into dating Michelle had a health scare and Eric supported her and stayed by her side every step of the way. This was good, it was refreshing, and it felt different. It was from that moment that Michelle knew that Eric was THE ONE!

Our story is a reminder that love often finds its way, even if it takes a little longer than expected- God's timing is perfect! We often hear that sometimes the person you're meant to be with is right under your nose. Well, we were...waiting on God's hand to direct us to one another for the perfect moment for us to step into each other's life. Oh, what great joy of finding the love of your life. The kind of love that makes you feel safe, where you can be authentically YOU, where laughter comes from the belly, where prayer is the center of all that you do and the joy of the Lord is within us!