What Makes a Love Story Worth Sharing
A February Reflection on Faith, Love, and the Journey God Writes
This month began with something simple—but sacred.
Cody’s birthday visit.
As we celebrated another year of his life, I found myself reflecting not just on him, but on what truly makes a love story worth telling… and what makes a journey worth sharing in the first place.
Because it isn’t attraction.
That’s only part of it.
It isn’t having everything in common.
Shared interests matter, but they aren’t the foundation.
What makes a love story holy—what makes it last—is the moment two people decide, as Christians, to put God front and center and trust Him with the story. When love isn’t built on convenience, compatibility, or interest alone—but on a shared devotion to Christ.
That kind of love doesn’t rush.
It doesn’t perform.
It remains steady.
Valentine’s Day Was Never About the Candy
When we look at Valentine’s Day through a biblical lens, we realize something important:
It was never about candy.
It was never about cards.
It was never about proving love through gifts.
Love, as Scripture teaches it, begins in the heart of Christ.
“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19
The love Jesus carried in His heart and spirit is what transforms us—and it is that love that teaches us how to love others well. Valentine’s Day, at its best, should remind us not of what we expect from people, but of what Christ has already given us.
Why I Love Cody
When I think about Cody, I don’t think first about his looks (though that’s a bonus).
I think about the way he lives.
I love Cody because of the way he looks at life with cerebral palsy—not as something that defines or limits him, but as part of a journey God has used to shape his faith, strength, and compassion.
There is a daredevil spirit in him. An adventurous heart. A refusal to let anything stop him. But more than that, there is a deep, genuine love for Christ.
He treats people the way Jesus treated His church—with kindness, patience, humility, and care.
And I am incredibly grateful that God gave me the gift of loving someone who loves Christ just as deeply as I do. Loving Cody has reminded me that when God is at the center, love becomes something safe, steady, and sacred.
If you’re reading this, Cody:
I love you more than you know. Thank you for your faith, your heart, and your spirit.
What to Look for in a Partner When You’re Disabled & Christian
If you’re navigating love as a Christian with a disability, I want you to hear this clearly:
Scripture never asks you to settle.
Love rooted in Christ looks like this:
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Someone who loves God first
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Someone who treats your disability with dignity—not pity
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Someone who practices patience without resentment
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Someone who protects your heart and your worth
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Someone who walks beside you, not ahead of you
“You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14
You are not a burden.
You are not “too much.”
You are worthy of a love that reflects Christ.
February Writing & Ministry Updates
Stories God Has Allowed Me to Share
This month has been full of writing that reflects exactly what I believe about love, faith, healing, and dignity. Below are all of the books currently available, each written prayerfully and intentionally.
📚 Faith-Centered & Christian Romance
The Surprise Ride Home
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHZG9SBQ
A middle-school Christian love story about online friendship, prayer, and the quiet way God answers when a seat is saved at just the right time.
I Am Able by Grace
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5LRSKTR
A powerful story of disability, recovery, faith, and redemption—about two broken people learning that grace still calls them home.
The Cheese Curds He Saved Until February 14
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCQM8KT8
A slow-burn, long-distance Christian romance centered on patience, prayer, and trusting God’s timing with love.
The Retreat Badge With His Last Name
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHPHL5MH
An early-2000s love story about online faith, shared Scripture, and discovering that the person you prayed for is real.
The Groundhog Day We Stopped Running
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8VRQGS2
A faith-based teen romance about cycles, second chances, and choosing to stop running when God invites you to stay.
The Valentine’s Day Drill
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DL4T3M3M
A late-90s Christian YA story about courage, disability inclusion, and choosing faith over fear in the middle of crisis.
Halftime Healing
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8BGTXKL
A Super Bowl youth-group second-chance romance about vulnerability, repentance, and letting God heal what fear broke.
The Mascot Who Stayed
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKBB2QZG
A tender story about friendship, honesty, and a boy who stays behind—literally and emotionally—until love is revealed.
♿ Disability-Centered Love Stories
Hallelujah in Quiet Places
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ6HVHPD
A story about being seen beyond words, finding love in silence, and discovering God’s presence in quiet faith.
The Girl He Saved Dunkaroos For
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G43ZMGZS
A youth-group love story built on kindness, patience, prayer, and the smallest acts that change everything.
The Communion He Held for Her
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G36B4P7J
A tear-jerking Christian YA story about church hurt, disability, belonging, and a love that fights for dignity at God’s table.
Grace in the Park
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNPQXGS9
A college-age Christian romance about fear, community, and discovering God’s grace in unexpected places.
The I Love You That Never Finished Loading
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKJ4C4YT
A slow, sacred love story about patience, online connection, and trusting God when words don’t come easily.
📝 Faith, Identity, & Healing
Quiet David
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G61L9VKS
A faith-filled YA romance about identity, pressure, online anonymity, and love that grows in quiet spaces.
The Map He Kept: Marked by Grace
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY3YHMVC
A second-chance story about faith renewed, forgiveness, and trusting God’s direction again.
The Plush Cucumber He Gave Me During the Storm
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJ5L2LN8
A hurricane-week love story about anxiety, comfort, and the person who stays when the world goes dark.
The 7th Heaven Episode That Made Us Fall in Love
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5LV4NL4
A nostalgic faith story about forgiveness, letting go, and trusting God with an ending you didn’t expect.
Hallway Crossroads
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF8126LJ
A story about accountability, repentance, and learning what it truly means to love your neighbor.
🔥 Adult Fiction & Poetry
Forbidden Words
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5Z2JPKB
A mature novel about boundaries, desire, self-worth, and refusing to settle for emotional neglect.
More Than Millions
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5Z3CR9P
A high-stakes romance about prejudice, power, and choosing love that honors God over status.
Seasons of the Heart
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F47DXJP8
A poetry collection spanning a decade of love, faith, grief, healing, and resilience.
🎙️ February Podcasts
Faith Over Fried Chicken – February Episode
👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/2nF61IfAmvC9m5Xnn4Ohb7
A faith-centered conversation about Scripture, everyday life, and walking with God.
Palsy Power: Cody & Tylia
👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/6f4tfqw8eK3632W7SvpPgH
An honest discussion on cerebral palsy, resilience, love, and faith lived out daily.
Able by Grace Ministries
Able by Grace Ministries continues to be a space for devotionals, reflection, and encouragement—especially for those navigating faith and disability together.
👉 https://ablebygraceministry.blogspot.com/
Closing Reflection
A great love story isn’t the one that looks perfect online.
It’s the one where two people keep choosing God.
Keep choosing gentleness.
Keep choosing faith.
Keep choosing love that reflects Christ.
And if you’re still waiting, still healing, still wondering if love will find you where you are—
God does not write pointless stories.
And you are not an exception to His goodness.
With love and grace,
Tylia L. Flores 🤍
