Howdy, y’all! Now, don’t you dare skip to the end before I’m done telling my story. I built this up just for you, so hold your horses and listen for a spell. I know some of you might be thinking, “Mary, what on God’s green earth you talking about soulmates for?” But come on, even the biggest patriots have a soft spot for a good ol’ love story. Grab your favorite coffee mug and settle in for a chat you won’t soon forget.

Once Upon a Time in the Land of Romance

Oh, the stories I could tell! Back in my day, we’d sit with a needle and thread, stitching quilts while spinning tales of love so epic they might as well have been written by our Lord Himself. But, darling, let me tell you about my Aunt Hilda’s love story, which was more unexpected than a snowstorm in July.

Signs from the Good Lord Above

You might be waiting for that lightning bolt moment, but let me tell ya, sometimes, God’s plans are a tad more subtle. Aunt Hilda used to bake the meanest apple pie this side of the Mississippi, and she believed her soulmate was someone who shared her love of cinnamon and sugar. We once laughed ourselves silly when she told us about a dream she had, where a tall, dark stranger handed her a golden apple—it was like Eve and the garden all over again! Little did she know, that dream was a sign.

The Seasons of Waiting

Aunt Hilda didn’t meet her soulmate until she was 52, which is just a spring chicken in the grand scheme of eternity. She lived her life, praised the Lord, and enjoyed her time making the world’s best apple pies—well, until I came along, but that’s another story. Then one Sunday after church, a new member joined our congregation. He was a widower, with a twinkle in his eye and didn’t he just ask for a slice of Aunt Hilda’s pie! Fate? I think so.

The Funny Little Things

She saw a sign every time this man spoke. He said grace like he was in a personal conversation with Jesus; he loved country music just as she did, and he even had an affinity for plaid flannel shirts—she swore it was God’s way of wrapping him in the perfect package for her. Sometimes, these signs are as plain as day, but often, we’re too busy walking around with our heads full of worries to notice them. Or worse yet, some might call it “coincidence”—a word I’ve never put much stock in.

Stop Looking So Hard

You see, the irony in finding your soulmate, someone you haven’t met yet, is that sometimes the harder you look, the harder it is to find them. It’s like trying to find your reading glasses when they’re right on top of your head! Trust God’s timing and take a step back. Enjoy the sunsets, the autumn leaves, and every blessed day the Good Lord gives you.

The Good Lord’s Timing

Here’s another nugget of wisdom – God’s timing is perfect. If you start doubting, remember that He’s been orchestrating this world since before we were a twinkle in our parents’ eyes. Just as He knows when the roosters should crow and the leaves should fall, He knows when your heart should find its match. Now, forgive me for sounding preachy, but I’ve seen it happen too many times to say it’s not true.

The Heart Grows Ready

Your heart may not be ready now, but it’s a work in progress. My friend Betty Jean met her fella when she least expected it, just after her retirement party. All those years of thinking her ship had sailed, and then God sent her a fisherman! Sometimes, heartache and loneliness are just preparatory paths to true happiness. Finding your soulmate isn’t like ordering a burger at the drive-thru; it’s more like slow-cooking a tender beef stew. It takes time, patience, and a whole lot of faith.

A Humble Prayer and a Laugh

Lastly, never underestimate the power of a humble prayer. Aunt Hilda often prayed, not for a soulmate per se, but for God’s will to be done in her life. Her humility and unwavering faith were what brought her, eventually, to Mr. Forever Pie Lover. And boy, did we laugh at the way things turned out. If you’d asked her 30 years earlier, she’d have told you she’d end up an old maid with a houseful of cats. But God, in His divine sense of humor, had the last laugh.

So keep your heart open, your faith strong, and always look at the bright side. Because who knows, your soulmate might just be around the next corner, holding an apple pie or wearing a flannel shirt. Just don’t forget to thank the Good Lord and maybe, just maybe, bake an extra pie—just in case.