A Love Story Built on Shared Faith and Purpose: A Conversation with Sandra Hidalgo Cravens
On a sunny afternoon, Sandra Hidalgo Cravens’s warm voice fills the phone line. Her voice is as warm as the sunshine outside. “I am a mom, a wife, a stepmom, and a Spanish language coach,” she begins, her voice brimming with vivacity. My family and I have just moved to Florida, and we’re excited about all that God has for us here.”
Sandra’s husband, Will, is the other half of this dynamic duo. Their meeting is the stuff of romantic novels – a single dad and a Spanish teacher meeting in the corridors of their local private school, and from there, love blossomed. “After the fourth parent-teacher conference, I realized Will was interested in more than just my teaching,” Sandra chuckles, recalling their early days.
Sandra’s love for Will was founded on their shared faith, common purpose, and passions. Sandra talks fondly about their early email exchanges, their mutual commitment to mission work, and how they found common ground amidst their busy lives. “We were both involved in mission work and working in other countries,” she explains, “and I think that’s what really ignited the idea of us dating.”
Their shared faith, goals, and love for each other were the foundations of their deep connection. “We both wanted what God wanted more than what we wanted,” she shares, her voice filled with conviction. That was more important to us than our desires.”
Will’s unwavering faith inspires Sandra daily. She shares a poignant story of Will seeking out his homeless friend on the streets of San Diego and living amongst people experiencing homelessness to understand his friend’s plight. “His faith, his love for people, and his willingness to do anything for someone to come to know Christ,” Sandra says warmly. “That’s what draws me to him every day.”
Reflecting on their challenges as a Christian married couple, Sandra admits that the initial stages were tough. Integrating into an existing family unit as a stepmom was challenging, but they found their way by seeking mentorship from those ahead of them. Their faith strengthened their bond, and they found solace in each other during their struggle with infertility. “We had to commit to it together, which drew us closer,” she says, her voice filled with resilience.
Their advice for other Christian couples is simple: “Keep Jesus first. I don’t know how couples do it without God,” Sandra says emphatically. “Having Jesus at the center is fun. It’s our lifeline.”
Their dedicated effort to keep dating each other, to dream together, and to pray together has helped them maintain a strong spiritual connection. Sandra advises Christian women, particularly those whose husbands may not share the same level of spirituality, to “constantly hand it over to Jesus and trust Him to work.”
Closing our conversation, Sandra reflects on their love and how it has evolved over time. “Through the different situations of life, we’ve stayed together in the bumps in the road. That grows our love for each other,” she concludes. “And seeing my husband’s love for the Lord, knowing that he hears from Him, that helps me trust him and attracts me more to him.”
Their story is one of a shared journey, a shared faith, and a shared love. It’s a testament to the power of love, faith, and commitment. Sandra and Will’s love story is not just their own – it’s a love story that has inspired, impacted, and will continue to touch countless others along their journey.
