 They were worlds apart in all aspects of life. Damien was the hardcore criminal while Elise was made up of sugar and spice. Because of their obvious differences, neither of them expected to cross paths let alone spend the rest of their lives together. The unlikely couple explain how it all happened...
Damien’s story
I had given up believing that the right person existed. My parents and brothers were pros in failed relationships; so I had no reason to expect anything better. I went through girlfriends like hot dinners. I didn’t appreciate them and was only out for what I could get - it came with my crime-ridden lifestyle.
Just after my release from jail I met a girl who I became totally besotted with. For the first time, I was sure that I had fallen in love. Within ten months I had stopped the drugs and gangbanging and had got engaged to her. Everything seemed rosy and I would have done anything for her.
"We match so well; we have the same goals and
she adds so much to my life."
After five long years I found out that she cheated on me 14 times. I cried like a baby for about one year, I just couldn’t let go. At the Partner's 4 Life meetings I learned how to enjoy the love of a faithful person and be in a stable relationship. I found the strength to let go of the past and did this asking God to remove all the pain and any other emotional attachments I had towards that girl. Not long after, the right person came along my path.
We match so well; we have the same goals and she adds so much to my life. If God hadn’t helped me to drive away the bad memories of my past, I would have never been able to move forward and find true love.
Elise’s story
My mother started talking to me about waiting for the right person from when I was twelve years old. At the time it didn’t make much sense, but I listened to her and warmed to the idea of finding my perfect match.
As I grew older, I stuck by those principles and never had a boyfriend. The wait wasn’t easy and the offers were never too far away. But I just looked the other way and trusted that God would bring the right person my way.
At the HelpCentre I started praying for the right person to come along and also asked God to prepare my character so that I would make a good wife. When I was introduced to Damien we clicked right away. It’s funny because his bad boy past didn’t make him the ideal person to bring home. But the fact that he could put this behind him showed great strength and character. I like that in a man.
Today we are very happily married. We are at a real high point in life and have so much to share with others. It is really good to know that God wants us to have a happy life and is willing to help us achieve it. I encourage everyone to take part in the Partners 4 Life semianr. Damien and I are proof that regardless of where you’re coming from, God can give you a happy ending.
Elise & Damien Jackson |
