James and I wrote this Facebook post on November, 2024. Our divorce was finalized in March 2022.
“On Feb 3rd of 2024, (happened to be our 6th anniversary if we didn’t divorce), Sheri attended a Gala Event for Carson’s school. There, Sheri bid on and won the biggest prize—a week long stay at a beautiful beach villa in Turks & Caicos. Several of Sheri’s family, Sheri’s daughter, Carson, two of Sheri’s daughter friends and myself were scheduled to go on this dream trip at the end of May.
Unfortunately, the day before, there was confusion on passport requirements for the kids. Sheri’s sister and older nieces still went, while myself, Carson, Sheri’s daughter and her friends would not go. Sheri decided she was going to travel on her own to meet up with her sister and nieces. But the morning she was scheduled to be picked up by a taxi at 3AM she overslept and missed it. So she ended up not going.
A month or so later, Sheri still wanted to go and asked me if I wanted to go (with Carson) as friends. Sheri daughter didn’t want to go. So we booked our trip with Seven Stars Resort.
We arrived to Turks & Caicos on Wed, Nov 20. Upon entering our beautiful multi-room suite , I was tired and gave Sheri a hug so as to say, “we made it.” She gently reminded me that we’re only friends, to which I knew but probably was letting my guard down more than I should.
The Day God Spoke Through a Buggy Tour
On Thursday, Nov 21, we went on the Love Buggy Tour. Carson and I were in one buggy and Sheri had her own.
We made several photo opp stops. Our guide Marvin, was taking pictures for everyone. As Carson, Sheri and myself posed for a picture, he asked Sheri to put her arm around me, assuming that we were married. Multiple times Sheri gently refused. But we still took the picture.
Afterwards, Sheri typed on her phone for me to tell Marvin that we are divorced. I told Marvin, and while he respected our marriage status, he asked if either of us were dating another or got remarried. We both replied no. He then planted a seed that there is still a chance for reconciliation. I appreciated what he said, but was content on Sheri and I being just friends. I assumed Sheri shared the same sentiment.
As we continued our tour, we made another stop at an old slave plantation—for a quick tour. Along the way, Sheri noticed an old sign hanging on the wall, “Feb 3,” thus coinciding with the date she attended the Gala Event and won the initial Turks & Caicos trip earlier this year, and what was our anniversary date. Sheri nudged me to the sign, and I recognized it as such, but being we were just friends I didn’t discuss it further.
The buggy tour finally ended. As we make our way to our rental car, Marvin (about 150 feet away) gestures to me by pointing to his ring finger—encouraging me to pursue Sheri. In my mind, I appreciated his sentiment but was content on friendship with Sheri.
Just as we were about to shut the car doors and drive away, Marvin came running over and insisted on saying good bye to Carson. He sat in the back seat of the car (with the car running) for about 25 minutes or so, getting to know us but mostly sharing his Christian faith, as we too shared that we are Christian. He shared the story of Gideon in Judges 7. How God is still in the business of miracles and how He intervenes to fulfill His purpose for His glory. Using an unlikely Gideon and a chosen 300 men, the vast army of the Midianites were defeated to preserve the Israelites, God’s people, all for God’s glory! However, along the way God’s will for Gideon was realized because Gideon obeyed and participated in His will. Marvin parlayed this story that God is perhaps not done with our marriage yet. He got serious and wanted to address marriage forgiveness, reconciliation, and trust; and reminded us that God can do a miracle to reconcile and preserve in what was seemingly destined for us to remain divorced…If we listen and obey God.
While he was sharing, I listened intently and my heart wanted to believe in the potential God miracle in our situation. But my mind was tethered to the current reality. I glanced over at Sheri and to my surprise, her facial expression said it all—she was locked on to every word Marvin was saying.
He invited us to his church service on Sunday as well as dinner with his wife and family at his home. We accepted. We finally ended our conversation in thoughtful prayer and went on our way, knowing we’ll see Marvin on Sunday at church.
On the drive back to the hotel, I could tell by Sheri’s demeanor and facial expression that what just happened moved her. I didn’t probe too much as, again, I stayed within the guardrails of what was realistic, regarding our relationship at the moment. We returned to our room; and after a visit to the pool, beach and then dinner—later that evening Sheri walked into my room while I was resting on my sofa bed. Carson was on Sheri’s bed watching his iPad. She sat beside me and hugged me and said, “I love you and you are my best friend.” Shocked by the sudden turn of events, I reciprocated what was hidden deep in my heart as I said, “I love you too. You are also my best friend.” Sensing a sigh of relief as the truth of how we felt about each other was just revealed, we talked and connected like we used to.
In fact, Sheri even shared that 4 days before we left for our trip, she had prayed to God if we should start dating. While she maintained a steadfastness in our friendship to that point, it was when God used Marvin to confirm to her the answer. And on Thu, Nov 21 we decided turn our friendship into a dating relationship. We prayed together that God’s will prevail in our new dating relationship. God’s miracle indeed!
On Sun, Nov 24, we attended service at Marvin’s church, New Life Worship Centre. Right before we left the hotel, he texted me and I replied while also sharing that Sheri and I decided to start dating. His response was rejoice and that he couldn’t wait to see us at church. Upon arriving, he gave us all a big hug!
He then asked me if we wanted to give a brief testimony of how we ended up dating. We agreed and I spoke to the congregation. As I ended the story with “Sheri and I decided to start dating…” before I could speak another word, the congregation erupted in praise. Hugs were exchanged and tears were flowing in that service—strangers to us, perhaps, but newly found brothers and sisters in Christ indeed! Shortly thereafter, Sheri came up front and the whole congregation prayed over her for healing and restoration due to her stroke in 2021.
Again, hugs and tears—but a sense of love knowing that God will heal—not just our relationship, but Sheri’s ability to speak. And not long after, Sheri shared with me that she would like to do speech therapy again. Praise the Lord! It was then I knew God is already working on our relationship and Sheri! God is good indeed! Sheri and I , know like Gideon, it will take obedience and active participation in God’s will. Thank you and thanks for reading. God’s blessings!”
If you ever go to Turks and Caicos, don’t miss the Love Buggy tour — it’s amazing! 😀 Islandstyletourstci@gmail.com
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and James. We are truly so grateful.
And the rest of the story… please read my next post below…God Is Still in the Business of Reconciling When God Speaks and We Obey.
Written by Sheri Fortes - Visit Website
Author of "All Natural Mom's Guide to the Feingold Diet"
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