They believe a push from deity placed the future husband and wife at a Salt Lake City homeless shelter several years ago this month.
Both are Navy veterans who had lost spouses, resources, goods and homes and were fairly destitute, he said, until they met each other.
Within three months, the couple wed, Derek said, and, eventually, got into a Veteran Affairs-provided apartment of their own in Sugar House, with $300 per month in food stamps, and Social Security benefits.
On Monday, the Mullins attended the annual picnic provided by the Salt Lake Mission for the homeless population at Pioneer Park in downtown Salt Lake City.