“Our story started online on a dating app,” says Whitley Robinson. “I was so tired of going on dates.” A self-described Rom Com at heart, she watched countless movies, envisioning the way she would meet Mr. Right. She put herself out there on an app, praying to God, “If I don’t find him, I will take matters in my own hands.” 

 

Twenty-four hours later, God answered. The only problem? The man she wanted was 100 miles away. It didn’t make sense. “I put my restrictions as no more than 15 miles away.” Then, Edward sent a “super like.” 

 

“He went all out,” says Whitley. This man was invested. 

 

“Do you mind if we do FaceTime?” he asked her. 

 

They FaceTimed the next day and started dating. Whitley was impressed. “He’s a man who knows what he wants.” 

 

The road to finding Ms. Right wasn’t easy for Edward either. “I had been going through a divorce and pulled myself up from my bootstraps, digging into my soldier Basic Training mode. Divorce can be debilitating,” he admits. “You have to decide if you are going to fall in love again or give up.” He went back to his structured schedule as a soldier. From 4-6 a.m., he started his day with personal training, followed by personal hygiene and breakfast from 6-7 a.m., and getting ready for the call of duty (the workday) from 7-8 a.m. His workday lasted until 5 p.m. “That’s how I got through my divorce.” 

 

His sister flew in from Africa to help during this debilitating time. “She cooked for me and helped me get back to better.” She told him words that inspired him to try again, “You deserve love,” she urged him. Even though Edward didn’t feel like he had “his game” anymore, she encouraged him. That’s how he decided to go digital to find love. One catch? His sister got on the app for him. 

 

“I put my search bandwidth to 100 miles,” he says. “100 miles isn’t that far. I thought I was being more flexible. And then Whitley popped up.” 

 

He was impressed from the start with her professional-grade pictures, which caused him to send the “super like.” He explains, “It costs $1.99 and costs more than a regular like.” It also prioritizes someone’s email to the top of their inbox. 

 

“She was the real deal … and it was only $1.99,” he laughs.

 

Their relationship grew after FaceTime to meeting at a seafood restaurant at a mall in Santa Clarita. “The rest is history,” says Edward. He was pursuing a master’s degree at Baylor at the time, and they would alternate weekends to make their relationship work.

 

Five years and one long-distance relationship later, this couple is happily married, tying the knot on October 12, 2024.

 

“We just hit our one-year anniversary and it’s been great,” raves Edward. “She’s a very sensitive soul.” He has learned to actively listen to his wife. “She can be speaking from a much deeper place than you think and wants an intimate, deeper response.” It’s a vast contrast from his days in the Army, with no emotion and no conversation. “I had to adjust my mindset to respond to that,” he candidly comments. 

 

Their faith is the anchor to their marriage. 

 

“We both acknowledge that God has a plan here,” he adds thoughtfully. Edward is a deacon and Whitley is a clergy person at the Church of God Bakersfield, where she is the Director of Special Events and Communications. “Faith is the strong foundation of everything,” says Edward.

 

When not enjoying life as a married couple, you can find them actively involved in the community. Edward is the founder of the Kern County Veterans Chamber of Commerce and The Social Servant, a veteran-owned business. 

 

This innovative business is a mobile social services office serving the needs of the unsheltered population. He got a Mercedes Sprinter, made it wireless, and plugged people into homeless services that were available to them. He distributed information on behalf of Kern County as part of his private practice as a social worker. His proposal was voted for and approved by the board, which covered all expenses, including the vehicle and supplies. Best of all, it makes a genuine difference in people’s lives, meeting them on their level. 

 

He understands the challenges of transitioning from the military to civilian life and wants to offer others a helping hand. “We come in and help them access government support and available benefits,” he explains. “We help all business owners, focusing on attracting veterans.” It’s more than just legal matters, however. If someone needs help getting a wheelchair or finding a nursing home, Edward helps them identify resources. Or if they need to change the title on a house after a loved one has passed away, he springs into action. “We also have workshops for Kern County Healthcare, and I help them access that,” he adds.

 

Edward, who spent 8 years in the Army from August 31, 2004 – April 3, 2012, knows firsthand the challenges that servicepeople face. He worked in the First Second Infantry Division in Washington State in the Third Stryker Brigade at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He explains, “We were one of the first units to use the Stryker in Iraq on a 15-month tour as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.”

 

As for Whitley, she founded her own company, Myrie Media, a creative marketing agency, in 2021. The agency helps business owners with their branding and aligns their stories with visuals. “We’re not just creating graphics, but building out campaigns for them,” she explains. “It helps them save time, money, and gets them what they need.”

 

When not working, you can find Edward and Whitley at their church. “I like hanging out with friends from church and having date nights,” says Whitley, who hails from Jamaica. She likes visiting her family as well, who lives locally. “My Dad is a Navy vet and that makes me a Navy brat,” she smiles. Edward’s family resides in Michigan. 

 

Together, they enjoy going to wineries, good restaurants, and are always up for a movie.  “I love Rom Com movies, Married at First Sight, and all things love,” laughs Whitley. “Prior to meeting Edward, I was obsessed with love and finding my husband.” 

 

Edward enjoys being involved in men’s ministry at church and Whitley does a lot in the women’s ministry. “I also like hanging out with the kids in the church,” adds Edward. “We want to have a pushup competition,” he laughs. “Stuff like that is fun for me.” He and Whitley have been talking about having kids in the near future. “Building our life together is fun.”

 

“People don’t find their husbands on an app,” says Whitley, “but this really was our story.” 

Seeing how they complemented each other was priceless. “There is no one else I would rather do this life with than my husband. I love this man with everything in me. I respect him and his journey,” she smiles.

 

Edward sees God at the center of their relationship. “We have the foundation of our faith to move us forward, trusting in the Lord and the regimen He gave me ultimately led me to her.” He had to “dig deep” in his faith and trust in the Lord. Had he not listened to his sister and the people in front of him, he would have never met his wife. 

 

“She is great,” he raves. “She restored my faith.”