Wedding Day

Ceremony

American Lake Conference Center

Reception

Winter

Our Wedding

Ben: Our story starts at Government camp at Mt. Hood. Grace: We were both attending a young adult conference hosted by Reformation Covenant Church in Oregon City. I was NOT going wanting to meet my future spouse... And I was. I saw Grace, and instantly wanted to talk to her. I introduced myself to her the first moment I could. Though I wouldn't have admitted it at the time, I noticed Ben the minute he walked in the room. I thought he was very kind and I began to notice he was always in my general area. That evening, I initiated a conversation with Grace that ended up being four hours long. It was so effortless. I was amazed at how much we had in common and how like-minded we were about everything. I noticed how open, fun, and passionate he was. Honestly, I started to get scared...I didn't want to like anyone. And I was very interested. The rest of that weekend consisted mostly of Ben trying to talk to me and me reallllly trying not to give him the time of day. (I didn't want to like anyone, remember?) I left that conference weekend with no idea about how she felt about me. Probably because I had no idea how I felt about you. I got Grace's dad's email and phone number from her Pastor, Tyler Hatcher. After a couple days of prayer, I took a total shot in the dark and reached out to see if Grace might be interested in getting to know me better. I agreed and we proceeded to talk on the phone every day for the next two weeks or so. Our first phone call was over four hours long. I remember telling my mom after those first phone calls, "He must be reading a script...there's no way we think this similarly about everything." I was still in disbelief. I drove up to visit her family in WA and left totally convinced that I was going to marry her. I'd say I was 110 percent 'in.' It took me slightly longer to get to '110 percent,' but it didn't take much time before I was completely convinced that Ben was the man that I wanted to marry. Honestly, our love story would be an adorable Hallmark movie but, long story short, we got engaged October 27th, 2022. It was an incredibly romantic proposal I might add. Both of us had never told each other we loved each other and we had never kissed...it was pretty amazing. We are both completely humbled, amazed, and grateful for the beautiful story God has given us. We have seen His sovereign hand in the way He brought us together, the way He drew our hearts together, and the things He has taught us along the way. We are convinced more than ever that we serve a good, kind Father who works all things together for the good of those who love Him. We know and have seen that if you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart. All glory to God! We can't wait to celebrate with YOU on February 11th!

Our Story

Photos

Victoria Beasley

Calvin Hanson

Haley Nuckols

Eli Emmons 

Olivia Moore

David Leal

Olivia Hanson

Aiden Smith

Izabell Hanson

James Jackson

Rachel Hall

Joseph Pates

Amy Hall

Andrew Poling

Trinity Pates

Jesse Pates

Abigail Pates

Jeremiah Pates 

Jubilee Pates

Joshua Pates

Wedding Party

How to get on Ft. Lewis: -Arrive at 1:15-1:30 pm at the Ft. Lewis Main Gate. -Take Exit 120 off I-5 and follow signs to Visitor’s Center which is on the right hand side of the road just before the Ft. Lewis Main Gate. -Park and go into the little building with the following information:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Driver’s License&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;or passport&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Vehicle Registration&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-Proof of car insurance*None of these may be expired or you will not be allowed on base! -All adults in your car will need to show a current driver’s license or passport to get on base. -Children will be allowed on base with their parents without ID, but if they have a passport, driver’s permit, or driver’s license bring it because it will expedite the process. -Everyone invited to the wedding will be on a roster that the visitor’s center will have. This is also expedite you getting your pass to get on base. -We hope that this small inconvenience will not deter you from celebrating with us and that you will enjoy seeing Ft. Lewis!

Q + A

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Tacoma DuPont

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Whether your coming from the north or south, exit I-5 on 120A and follow the blue sign to the visitors center. You’ll take a right into a small parking lot. Go inside the visitors center and receive your pass after showing ID and vehicle registration. Take a LEFT out of the parking lot and show your pass at the gate. Follow GPS directions from this point to American Lake Conference Center! :)

DIRECTIONS & INSTRUCTIONS 

Ben & Grace

Ben & Grace

Q + A