I had the wonderful opportunity to interview this lovely couple for my web talk radio show 7 years ago when they had been married only 8 months. They’ve been married almost 8 years now and thanks to a Facebook memory post, I was inspired to blog about them today. I only did the talk show for 6 months due to lack of time and other obligations, but I learned a great deal producing those 12 shows (2 per month.) There is so much to learn when we take time to reflect on our past and how all the pieces come together to make us who we are today. Just as I realized when I was writing what I thought would be my first and only book, it’s amazing to see how God so perfectly orchestrates our lives and prepares us for what is to come. All we have to do is acknowledge him, and he will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

First, let’s flash back to 2011 when I interviewed DeShun and Kyanna Beard. You can listen to the entire interview here: “Love and Marriage: Is It a Fairy Tale?”

The Fairy Tale Wedding – Is it possible to really live happily ever after? When you listen to their interview, you’ll discover that we don’t really live inside fairy tales, but we do all live inside testimonies meant to be shared with others. Their beautiful love story will inspire you to discover your own great love, and with God’s blessings, you can live happily ever after.

I haven’t listened to that episode from my talk show in 7 years, and I must say it was good to hear it again. Did you listen? If not, here’s the link again. Just click here… I really want you to hear this.

We can’t all be like Cinderella and find our very own Prince Charming, but I choose to believe in the sanctity of marriage and what it stands for. Cinderella is simply a fairytale. However, we can all live happily ever after with God’s blessings. Hopefully DeShun and Kyanna’s love story will inspire you to view your own marriage differently, perhaps view your spouse from a different perspective and treat them as if you are living inside a fairytale pursuing your own happily ever after. Marriage requires work, but it’s well worth the effort in order to enjoy the blessings that can only be found when you truly view your marriage the way God intended for it to be.

My goal is not to repeat what you heard on the podcast, but rather to encourage you to listen for yourself at how the interview unfolded. It’s such a sweet story, one that will truly bless you if you are one who thought true love just doesn’t exist these days. I’m here to tell you it certainly does!

The happy couple, Mr. and Mrs. DeShun Beard, along with DeShun’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Beard. You will hear my very special guest on the radio broadcast, DeShun’s mother, Greta Beard (far left) share an emotional and touching story. This is the mother-in-law all future brides would love to have!

When this interview first aired in February 2011, I also shared it on my Facebook page along with these pictures and captions to serve as visual aids when listening to the interview. I’m sharing them here with you now, along with the original captions to fully engulf you in this experience. Here’s the other 3 pictures to go along with this beautiful little story.

The wedding party at the Fairy Tale Wedding on DeShun’s parents’ estate. The Scriptures teach us that the marriage Union and relationship was inspired by God, instituted by God, is preserved by God, and can rightly be dissolved only by God. So God created man in his own image . . . ; [one] male and [one] female created he them” (Genesis 1:27). “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:9). Any two persons entering into the marriage union should realize that marriage is an institution of God and that the One who designed and authorized marriage has the authority to determine the standards of marriage.

I Corinthians 13 – THE LOVE CHAPTER. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”… The wedding rings: The ring could be the oldest and most universal symbol of marriage. There are many accounts of the meanings behind the use of wedding rings but the actual origins are unclear. The ring’s circular shape represents perfection and never-ending love. The early Christian church gave religious meaning to the ring by making it part of the wedding ceremony. “With this ring I thee wed, and this gold and silver I thee give, and with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly chatels I thee endow.” The thumb and first two fingers of the hand were to represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the fourth finger stood for the earthly love of man to woman.

The newlyweds began their wedded bliss as husband and wife while celebrating on their honeymoon cruise. Congratulations DeShun and Kyanna. May God forever bless you and your marriage! Your beautiful love story will bless all that hear it. Thank you for living inside the testimony with me!

Marriage really can strengthen your relationship with God and increase your faith in Him. Jesus will walk hand-and-hand by your side along with your spouse. All you have to do is make room and let him in.

DeShun’s advice: Put the Lord first in your relationship with your significant other.

Kyanna’s advice: Things may happen, but we know joy comes in the morning light… Know that God is always there.

As I said at the end of the talk show, a happy marriage requires work and commitment. I look at my husband as the man the Lord blessed me with, and it’s up to us to make it work. In our hearts we know without a doubt, we were meant to be together. I hope when you look at your own marriage, you can see it for what it really is. Don’t fantasize about anyone else’s relationship; just concentrate on the one that you’re in. Make it what you want it to be. Be committed to making it work, and it simply has to work. Make your marriage a great love story. After all, Walt Disney had to create Cinderella. You can create your own beautiful love story!

So once again, thank you DeShun and Kyanna Beard for sharing your beautiful story with us 7 years ago and again today. Thank you Greta Beard for being my very special guest on the program that day.

As a special treat, I asked Kyanna for an updated picture of her family now. Not only are she and DeShun still happily married after almost 8 years, they have also welcomed 2 precious little baby girls into their family. If you heard this story in 2011, just take a look at how the Lord has blessed this family since then.

Love and Marriage: Is It a Fairytale? Not at all. However, just look at what the Lord has done in DeShun and Kyanna’s lives. With God’s blessings, you really can live happily ever after. (From left to right: Kyanna, Harlow, Harper, and DeShun Beard)

Besides being inspired to blog about this sweet couple after the Facebook memory popped up today, I was also inspired to create a contest of my own. Like I said in the interview, I entered a “Greatest Love Story in the World” contest several years ago. Although William and I didn’t win, I still love our story and am happy to share it every chance I get. This is what I actually entered for the contest.

* * * * * Now I’m giving you an opportunity to win $100 in my Living Inside the Testimony – Greatest Love Story Contest!

Contest Rules:

1. Let’s keep this simple without a lot of written rules, legalities, and disclaimers. My desire is to make this sweet and easy.
2. Write one page to explain why you think your love story is the greatest love story in the world.
3. You must be a married couple to enter as I am trying to promote the sanctity of marriage as described in the bible between a man and woman.
4. Email your entry along with a picture of you and your spouse to me at livinginsidethetestimony@yahoo.com.
5. I will read all entries and select one grand prize winner to receive $100 (Visa gift card or PayPal)
6. Deadline to submit your entry is April 15, 2018.
7. Winner will be announced no later than April 30, 2018.
8. If you submit an entry, you are giving me permission to post your written entry and picture on my social media and website.
9. If you have any questions, please ask. You can leave comments/questions here on my blog, on my Facebook page, or email me at livinginsidethetestimony@yahoo.com.
10. I am the only judge for this contest, and my decision will be final. I will judge honestly and select what I feel is the best example of living inside the testimony in your own marriage and what makes it the greatest love story. Thank you for your participation and understanding!