Our love story begins on a spring day about 5 years ago.

My (Annalise’s) younger brother had mentioned a new friend of his named Steven a couple of times. One particular time, he said something along the lines of, “Anna, you should really meet Steven at some point - I think you guys would get along.” I didn’t think much of it, but a couple weeks later, my brother informed me that Steven was coming to watch one of his soccer games. Sure enough, at the end of the game, he introduced me to Steven.

I remember Steven’s kind handshake and the direct eye contact we made as he politely introduced himself with a smile.

By the Lord’s providence, we met again at high school prom some time later. I had gone without a date (planning to remain single until after college), and was more than surprised to find myself deep into a 2 hour conversation about faith, life, and our callings with the same boy I had met weeks earlier at my brother’s soccer game.

By the end of the night, I was astounded by Steven’s gentleness and tender spirit. We danced to the last song at the event and departed after he had asked me for my number in order to send me worship music. (Haha)

After a couple months of talking over the phone, Steven moved 14 hours away to South Florida.

Both of us were devastated. The move introduced to us a profound amount of hardship. Very quickly, we were faced with the decision to either pursue a long-distance relationship for the foreseeable future, or say goodbye.

We continued to keep in contact, and took many opportunities to pray and seek the Lord’s will for our lives.

In the meantime, I was in the process of healing from a severe form of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) that very much affected our relationship.

Though it took many years, I experienced a miraculous deliverance from the effects of OCD within our relationship through Abba Father's kindness.

Through much prayer, the Lord revealed to us that through every trial, He was expanding our minds to perceive His goodness and opening our hearts to receive each other.

Beneath every moment of weeping, every season of suffering, just beyond the threshold of every difficulty we thought there was no way through, there was an intrinsic knowing…perhaps even an invisible, unwavering inclination:

“This is the way, walk in it”.

It took me a long time to learn from Father's gentle and lowly way of giving me this indescribable gift in Steven.

When I ask Him, "Lord, how could You give me such a grand love?"

I am reminded that His great love is my answer.

Through Steven He has extravagantly loved me.

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Below is a passage I have felt spoken as a banner over our wedding.

"For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song."

Isaiah 51:3

We are so excited to celebrate all the Lord has done with you!