Yesterday, I mentioned the role books played in my romance with Steve. When he started talking books the first time we met, I was smitten. I love to read (mostly non-fiction), and meeting a man with a shared passion was thrilling. (Some of you may be wondering how anyone could use the words "passion," "books," and "thrilling" in the same sentence!) Thankfully, not everyone has to find books thrilling. That initial spark can be well, sparked, by all sorts of things. In the case of Kevin and Suzanne (our friends who came over last night for coffee), it was a wrist-encircling strip of leather with a few colored beads. I met Suzanne back in 2004 when I was editing Boundless. She submitted an article about surviving Christmas without the release of a new Lord of the Rings movie and when I finally got around to reading it (months after she sent it in), I liked it so much, I published it a few days later—evidence that letting email pile up unread can lead to missed opportunities!

Fast forward five years and forty-plus articles and you'll find Suzanne still writing for Boundless and helping single women have hope that God really is still in the business of making good matches. Talking with Suzanne and Kevin last night, I was reminded of God's creativity in forming new families. Their story is an encouragement to look with fresh eyes at opportunities you're tempted to write off— opportunities you may miss if you're not paying attention.

In the "Live Like You're Planning to Marry" chapter I write,

Steve looked different than the man I imagined I'd marry. When I first saw him I thought he was nice looking, but what really captured me was him. His intersts, his calling, his passion, his humor. All of him. And as we grew in friendship, I grew more attracted to his looks. (I know he'd say the same about me.)

Instead of asking, To whom as I attracted? start asking, Of my male friends, who would be a godly husband, strong partner, and good father? Thinking of men this way, yo might be surprised who captures your heart. Attraction isn't static. A man whose looks initially don't catch your eye may become a visual feast once you get to know his heart, his character, his personality. A face is just wrapping paper. You'd be a fool on Christmas day to discard gifts that had too much tape or reused bows, before you even looked to see what was inside. Sometimes the tackiest wrapping covers the best gift.