A daughter’s discovery of old photos of her parents’ early years of friendship has confirmed what she always suspected: they were meant to be.
The daughter, Rhema, 28, shared the sweet memory in an Instagram reel, which received over 675,000 likes. She wrote in the caption: "When your parents have been best friends for 36 years and it all makes sense when you see their old photos."
Rhema spoke to Newsweek about her parents' relationship, and what she has learned about love from watching them while growing up for nearly three decades.
Best Friends First
Rhema said her parents, Jennifer, 51, and Stephen, 52, met at church when they were 14 and 15 years old. They didn't start dating right away; instead, they began as close companions.
"They first became friends and then eventually that friendship blossomed into something more," she said. "The rest is history."
The decades-long strength of their relationship, according to Rhema, is rooted in their selfless commitment to each other, which she describes as an extension of their faith. The couple says the "number one thing that has kept their love so strong over all these years is the love of Jesus."
Rhema observed that their bond is sustained by their choice to continually prioritize one another: "They both love each other in a way that is not self-serving, but is sacrificial," she said. "They put one another first."
The Viral Love Story
Rhema said she was inspired to share their story after finding candid footage of the couple dancing together at home, noting that the clip was "so spontaneous." After sharing an initial reel of their love story a few years ago, she was "blown away by the response" and decided to share another one.
Jennifer and Stephen were equally touched by the reaction the reel received.
"They were also blown away," Rhema said. "Every comment, every share, every kind word—they love the sweet words and love that has been shown on the comments."
The most valuable lesson she has learned from her parents' marriage is the simplicity of true partnership. She believes that a strong marriage is not scary if you do two things: "Marry your best friend and love them like Jesus does."
She emphasized the importance of extending compassion and keeping the other person's happiness central.
"Have grace for one another and truly have the other's best interest in mind," she said. "I've seen this time and time again in their marriage and it is truly precious."
As a final word of encouragement, Rhema urged others not to give up on finding their own "magic of love," even if it takes work. She believes that "when you put the work in and decide to love selflessly…love can be found anywhere—whether this be in friendships, relationships or anywhere in life."
