Some journeys take a few unexpected turns before they land exactly where they’re meant to be. Grateful for every mile that led us here.
What happens when you think love has passed you by – only to discover that your greatest chapter is still ahead? Ameena’s journey is a powerful second chance love story rooted in faith, resilience, and the courage to try again. After divorce, health challenges, and the uncertainty of starting over as a single mother to Marcus, one hopeful swipe on Bumble introduced her to Nick – a man who would embrace not only her heart, but her entire world.
Her story also comes to life through her memoir, Path to Rebirth, a deeply personal reflection on overcoming life’s toughest seasons. Through unexpected love, health scares, and financial struggles, Ameena reveals how obstacles became steppingstones toward healing and renewal. Rather than a traditional hardship narrative, her journey celebrates resilience, the transformative power of love, and the strength it takes to believe that there is always a path forward.
For anyone searching for hope after heartbreak, navigating autism parenting, or learning to trust again, Ameena and Nick’s story is a reminder that second chances often arrive when we least expect them…and grow into something even stronger than we imagined.
Meet Ameena in her own words…
Couple: Ameena and Nick
Son: Marcus
After being with my ex-husband for 20 years (married for 18 of those), we separated in 2017 and our divorce finalized in 2018. The thought of dating scared me, and it never crossed my mind about getting into a committed relationship again, especially with my health challenges and my son, Marcus, having autism!
Fast forward to July 12, 2019, my sister told me to try the Bumble dating app one more time after many failed attempts. The next morning, I looked up and asked God, “please send me someone who will not only love and accept me, but will love and accept Marcus too.” On my first swipe, I swiped right on a guy named Nick. I thought to myself, “what’s this guy’s story? – He’s probably like the rest!” I sent him a message and about an hour later he responded. To my amazement, we hit it off instantly! We caught each other’s jokes and the messages flowed smoothly. After speaking with each other all day on the app, my sister asked me to invite him to the lounge we were going to later that night.
On the app, we exchanged numbers. I didn’t think he would call, but he did when he was on his way to the lounge. I was super nervous — I had never met someone so quickly after talking on a dating app. My sister scanned the front of the lounge and said, “OMG, if that’s him, he is definitely your type!”
Nick shook her hand first and then when he shook my hand, immediately I felt like an electric sensation throughout my body. His smile was everything! While we were dancing, my back towards him, he gently kissed me on the neck. I froze! He turned me around and kissed me! The entire night went perfectly — we danced, we laughed — we didn’t want the night to end! After getting to know each other for about a week and half, he asked me to be his girlfriend. Two weeks later, he asked if he could take Marcus (who was 13 at the time) to the movies. He was so calm and compassionate with him and that won my heart over! Little by little he accepted not only me with my health issues (diagnosed with DVT/PE in 2016 and I still have remnants of the blood clots in my chest and leg) but also Marcus. After only being together for a month, he stepped up taking days off from work to take me to my specialist appointments and even to the ER when I was scared that I would have a new blood clot!
In our sixth month together, he moved in after finding out that I would lose my home due to financial hardship. This was right before the pandemic hit! We only grew closer. I started a new job in May 2020, and he said since his job was still closed, he would take care of Marcus while I worked – which was a huge deal for me. Trust alone was something I had to build again after coming out of an unhealthy marriage.
Nick has proven to be a one-of-a-kind man who has taught me what love should be – patient and selfless. I have taught him that love should be kind and compromising. He loves Marcus as his own (he does not have kids of his own). We can see each other’s souls and can feel each other’s pain. Nick’s family loves and accepts me and Marcus, and my family loves and adores him. We got married exactly 2 years later on July 13, 2021. God willing, we will be celebrating our 7 years together (5 of those married) this July!
Best,
Ameena & Nick
