I Was Blind (Dating), But Now I See: My Misadventures in Dating, Waiting, and Stumbling into Love - Softcover

I’ve known Stephanie Rische primarily as a fine editor, but it was fun getting to know her as a skilled and entertaining writer! Not only singles but marrieds will readily identify with this engaging book. Stephanie is refreshingly honest as she addresses, with good humor, life’s awkward moments and unwelcome emotions. Her transparency, charm, and faith in Christ are magnetic. I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it! (Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven and Happiness)|If you’re struggling to hope that you will ever find “Mr. Right,” Stephanie’s story is proof that God is a good Father who gives good gifts to his children. In her book, Stephanie tells honest and humorous dating stories from her single days and the lessons she learned. An encouraging and thought-provoking read for anyone navigating singleness and dating. (Perry Noble, Senior pastor of NewSpring Church; author of Unleash and Overwhelmed)|This is not just a book about dating: It’s about living, about not putting your life on hold. But more important, it’s about surrounding yourself with a spiritual posse―mentors, friends, prayer partners, family―who will walk with you through the valleys and around the blind corners. Stephanie Rische is one of those people: honest, hilarious, and wise. Her book is a treasure! (Sarah Arthur, Author Dating Mr. Darcy: The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sensible Romance)|This book has a piece of my heart, and Stephanie now feels like a dear friend who knows my Starbucks order and shows up at my front door in her pajama-pants just to talk because she knows I’ve had a rough day. I laugh-cried through every inch of this book and felt every feeling right along with Stephanie. She has such a gift of bringing each “date” off the page and into full, living color for me to hold and learn from. I adore her vulnerability. And as I leaned into every story, I was once again reminded of the beauty found in life when we allow our relationships to teach us something deeper about ourselves and how we love. (Kasey Van Norman, author of Named by God and Raw Faith)|Bad dates, confusion in faith, real sin, fumbling around for grace: It takes guts to lay bare stories like these. It takes wit and charm to do it in a way that reads so endearingly. This book is a delightful telling of how God, in his kindness, allows himself to be seen. (Lisa Velthouse, Author of Craving Grace and coauthor of NYT bestseller Your Beautiful Heart)|Wise, warm, funny, and deep―Stephanie Rische writes in a way that will draw you in and keep you reading. Honest about the ache of being single when you long to be married, she has written a story that will deepen your hope and delight your heart. I loved traveling with Stephanie on her journey from one harrowing blind date to another, with loads of surprising experiences along the way. (Ann Spangler, Author of Wicked Women of the Bible)|I have known for several years that Stephanie Rische is a gem of an editor, and I’ve known that because she painstakingly and lovingly edited my first two books (which are all the better for her work, by the way). Given that, you can imagine my delight when I found out that she is also a gem of a writer. In I Was Blind (Dating), but Now I See, Stephanie’s funny, tender, and insightful words take the reader on a journey that points to God’s faithfulness and kindness at every stop along the road. You’ll have a blast reading this book―you’ll laugh, you’ll nod your head, and you may even cringe at some pretty spectacular awkward moments. More than anything, though, you’ll be encouraged by the compassion and the care of our very good God. Well done, sweet Stephanie! (Sophie Hudson, Author of Home Is Where My People Are and A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet)| Finally! An honest look at the journey we call dating. With the winsomeness of a “pit bull in a tutu” (her words), Stephanie opens her heart and soul to the twists and turns, the anticipation and disappointment of this daunting endeavor. She has the courage to let us in to the parts of her world that most of us work hard to keep hidden, and that is the best gift of all. (Nancy Ortberg, Author of Seeing in the Dark: Finding God's Light in the Most Unexpected Places)|If you’ve ever been brave enough to outright ask God for the desire of your heart only to be met with what feels like stony silence, this book is for you. Whether you’ve prayed for a husband or kids or dream job or healing or hope or home and haven’t heard back, this book is for you. Stephanie asked and God did not answer in any of the ways he could have. Through eight blind dates, God did not change his answer. Instead he changed Stephanie. And if you read her book, I’m pretty certain he’s going to change you, too. (Lisa-Jo Baker, Author of Surprised by Motherhood and community manager for (in)Courage)

This book has a piece of my heart, and Stephanie now feels like a dear friend who knows my Starbucks order and shows up at my front door in her pajama-pants just to talk because she knows I’ve had a rough day. I laugh-cried through every inch of this book and felt every feeling right along with Stephanie. She has such a gift of bringing each “date” off the page and into full, living color for me to hold and learn from. I adore her vulnerability. And as I leaned into every story, I was once again reminded of the beauty found in life when we allow our relationships to teach us something deeper about ourselves and how we love. (Kasey Van Norman, author of Named by God and Raw Faith)

This is not just a book about dating: It’s about living, about not putting your life on hold. But more important, it’s about surrounding yourself with a spiritual posse―mentors, friends, prayer partners, family―who will walk with you through the valleys and around the blind corners. Stephanie Rische is one of those people: honest, hilarious, and wise. Her book is a treasure! (Sarah Arthur, Author Dating Mr. Darcy: The Smart Girl’s Guide to Sensible Romance)

Bad dates, confusion in faith, real sin, fumbling around for grace: It takes guts to lay bare stories like these. It takes wit and charm to do it in a way that reads so endearingly. This book is a delightful telling of how God, in his kindness, allows himself to be seen. (Lisa Velthouse, Author of Craving Grace and coauthor of NYT bestseller Your Beautiful Heart)

If you’re struggling to hope that you will ever find “Mr. Right,” Stephanie’s story is proof that God is a good Father who gives good gifts to his children. In her book, Stephanie tells honest and humorous dating stories from her single days and the lessons she learned. An encouraging and thought-provoking read for anyone navigating singleness and dating. (Perry Noble, Senior pastor of NewSpring Church; author of Unleash and Overwhelmed)

Wise, warm, funny, and deep―Stephanie Rische writes in a way that will draw you in and keep you reading. Honest about the ache of being single when you long to be married, she has written a story that will deepen your hope and delight your heart. I loved traveling with Stephanie on her journey from one harrowing blind date to another, with loads of surprising experiences along the way. (Ann Spangler, Author of Wicked Women of the Bible)

I have known for several years that Stephanie Rische is a gem of an editor, and I’ve known that because she painstakingly and lovingly edited my first two books (which are all the better for her work, by the way). Given that, you can imagine my delight when I found out that she is also a gem of a writer. In I Was Blind (Dating), but Now I See, Stephanie’s funny, tender, and insightful words take the reader on a journey that points to God’s faithfulness and kindness at every stop along the road. You’ll have a blast reading this book―you’ll laugh, you’ll nod your head, and you may even cringe at some pretty spectacular awkward moments. More than anything, though, you’ll be encouraged by the compassion and the care of our very good God. Well done, sweet Stephanie! (Sophie Hudson, Author of Home Is Where My People Are and A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet)

Finally! An honest look at the journey we call dating. With the winsomeness of a “pit bull in a tutu” (her words), Stephanie opens her heart and soul to the twists and turns, the anticipation and disappointment of this daunting endeavor. She has the courage to let us in to the parts of her world that most of us work hard to keep hidden, and that is the best gift of all. (Nancy Ortberg, Author of Seeing in the Dark: Finding God's Light in the Most Unexpected Places)

I’ve known Stephanie Rische primarily as a fine editor, but it was fun getting to know her as a skilled and entertaining writer! Not only singles but marrieds will readily identify with this engaging book. Stephanie is refreshingly honest as she addresses, with good humor, life’s awkward moments and unwelcome emotions. Her transparency, charm, and faith in Christ are magnetic. I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it! (Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven and Happiness)

If you’ve ever been brave enough to outright ask God for the desire of your heart only to be met with what feels like stony silence, this book is for you. Whether you’ve prayed for a husband or kids or dream job or healing or hope or home and haven’t heard back, this book is for you. Stephanie asked and God did not answer in any of the ways he could have. Through eight blind dates, God did not change his answer. Instead he changed Stephanie. And if you read her book, I’m pretty certain he’s going to change you, too. (Lisa-Jo Baker, Author of Surprised by Motherhood and community manager for (in)Courage)