Wedding portrait of Lela and Oji Fagan standing together overlooking Niagara Falls, featured on a blog graphic titled "The List Knew Before I Did," part of the Found in the Margins series about healing, faith, friendship, and God's timing.

The List Knew Before I Did: How a Forgotten List Led Me Back to Love | Found in the Margins Part 4

When I was nineteen years old, I wrote a list. Not a prayer list. Not a vision board. Just a handwritten list of qualities I hoped to find in a future husband someday. Then I forgot about it. Life happened. Grief happened. Healing happened. Years passed. What I didn't know was that God was doing a deeper work in me long before I would reconnect with the man who would eventually become my husband. Part 4 of Found in the Margins explores the surprising connection between a forgotten list, a season of personal growth, an old friendship rekindled, and the realization that sometimes God's preparation isn't about finding the right person—it's about becoming the right person.
Becoming the Elder: A Reflection on Legacy, Loss, and Self-Care

Becoming the Elder: A Reflection on Legacy, Loss, and Self-Care

This past week, I was reminded in a painful yet profound way: I am an elder now. I’ve carried this mantle since birth, but it feels different when loss reminds you of how precious and short time can be. My great-grand niece’s passing brought back memories of the elders I lost too soon, and it stirred in me a commitment to care for myself so I can be present for my children and their children. Legacy isn’t only about memory. It’s about presence.