For well over 25 years, Hilde prayed for her future husband. She traveled land and sea to find him, at the same time serving God wherever she went, but God's humor is great. He sent her back to the start, Lyngdal, where she was born and grew up, because Thomas thought that if he only stayed in Mandal or Vest-Agder (with a two-year trip to Denmark) then the lady would probably fall in caught on him! He wasn't entirely wrong either! Hilde and her sister moved together to Lyngdal after Hilde had lived in Spain for 5 years. They ended up in one part of the semi-detached house where Thomas lived. It turned into many funny neighborly meetings in the street outside the front doors, which then developed into walks, hundreds of messages and tiiiiiiiiii hours together where they chatted, prayed a lot, came up with different activities and got to know each other. They were both overwhelmed by God's goodness and how all the things they had on their wish lists for their future lovers were fulfilled! But not everyone in the local community was satisfied. We faced massive resistance from people who didn't want us to be together because even though they didn't really know us, they still wanted to be a deciding factor in who we would end up with or not! BUT, what God has joined together, man shall not separate! We got to test the relationship and the love we had well. Despite the fact that it was a tough start, the love lasted, and it only grew! It also carried us through these difficult battles, against lies and accusations from people around us who we thought were for us, but who turned out to not really know us and didn't want us well. We just had to focus on us and what God has for us, and with a heavy heart close some doors behind us. But the love it blooms! We have managed to travel to and in 5 countries together. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania and Spain. We have a great time on a trip together! In the summer of 2023, we made a big effort to meet each other's families. Family is one of the most valuable things we have and this is a value we both share. It was a round trip to Mandal, Oslo, Moss, Ålesund and Bergen in a few weeks. On 02.12.23 we stepped up to Vigeland together with a few witnesses, Thomas' fiance, Hilde's sister and two intercessors to get married civilly at the office on Kulturtorvet. It was a beautiful and cold day, the ground was covered in white shiny snow, but the sun was shining beautifully. There was a small dinner together for those present at Egon in Kristiansand and intercession for us at the end of the evening, before we went to bed in the hotel we had booked for the night. We started our marriage with a hugely painful prolapse, illness and an operation and were driven again, but in a new way. But also through this we have really seen how right it was that we found each other. The patience and love of both is great, and everything we've been through has only brought us even closer to each other and we revel in each other's company! ❤️ We are very much looking forward to the continuation and further life together, and we are also extremely looking forward to being together with you all for our wedding celebration on 20.04.24!