LOVE feature
Story by Ashley Elvington • Photography by Laura McBryde
PAUL
&
ELAINE
SEALEY
the total package
“OUR STORY IS SIMPLE AND COMPLICATED ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Only God can put two people together the way in which
we were.” When Elaine Sealey became divorced in 2005, it was a time of adjustment and heartache. But, she was determined to not let it get the best of
her. “One night in November 2006, while my boys were away for the weekend, God and I had a long talk. My prayer was to let it all go and put my future
completely in God’s hands. My prayer was to be thankful for three healthy boys, an education, wonderful family support, and a job that I enjoyed. After
that night, my life changed.” Whether God’s plan was for her to be alone or to meet someone at 60, she was content. He would provide what was best.
Little did she know at the time, God had already briefly introduced her to someone who would play an important role in her future.
In 2006, Paul Sealey was given a temporary UPS route in Lake City. That June, he began delivering to Carolina First Bank. “It wa s the first time I had
been in there, and I was looking for someone to sign. Elaine said, ‘I can take that for you.’ She was very beautiful but had a ring on her ring finger. It
wasn’t a diamond, but it was a ring, so that meant off limits to me.” While Elaine noticed there was something about Paul that didn’t make him the typical UPS delivery guy, their exchanges didn’t extend past signing for packages and greeting each other. That December, Elaine saw Paul at the grocery
store. “I didn’t even recognize him out of his brown uniform! He kept looking at me and I kept trying to place him.” Paul adds, “I recognized her immediately, but I sensed I made her uncomfortable, so I just told her, ‘Merry Christmas!’ I did notice, however, that she was not wearing a ring.”
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FEBUARY 2016
SHEMAGAZINE.COM