“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Pictured above, you will find our first ever photo taken together. It was a frigid cold evening, with a vibrant golden sun- and under it, were two people soaking it all in... the light, and the love. This moment, along with so many other moments, would come to build the foundation of our story: a story of friendship, of change and growth, of patience timing, and a story of God's overwhelming love.

The first two scriptures focus on God's timing. They illustrate how we desire to create our paths, our timelines, and our destiny, but often without considering that God has all of it under His dominion. There is a time for all things, and God, out of His overwhelming love, has made it so. And so He has done in our lives, even when we could not perceive it.

Lauren and I have been in the background of each other's lives for quite some time now. From being at the same PMEA concerts, to our high schools playing each other during their Homecoming where she was announced Homecoming Queen (which means I would have inevitably heard her name over the loud speakers), to our colleges singing Mozart's master works together- we have always been there... just in the background... unaware that the other existed.

It is a good thing because knowing who we were then and knowing who we are now, we just wouldn't have been compatible. Our beliefs were less thought out, our patience was less tested, our hearts were big yet sometimes misplaced, our character was great yet lacked depth. God kept us away from each other until we were ready to see each other, and ourselves, for who He had planned.

Lauren and I actually met through her Aunt, who is a parishioner at the church where I am employed. After meeting me through my work as her Director of Music, her Aunt was astonished that Lauren and I had never crossed paths. We both studied music, were interested in the same hobbies, and we both had even studied opera in Italy. How could we have never crossed paths?!

After being inspired by her Aunt, I reached out to Lauren and we became fast friends.

Every single day we would talk. We would talk about anything and everything, and it seemed as if we could never run out of conversations. To this day, this is still the case. Every 6 hour car ride is never enough... every walk, every adventure can never be long enough for us to get through everything we need to talk about.

The first night that we came together in person was at Slippery Rock's "North Country Brewery." I was so nervous. I remember feeling that version of love that sends jitters all over your body; giddy. I got a call from her and she was wondering where to park, so I jumped up from the table and RAN outside to make sure she could find it. I'll never forget how she looked after she parked and was walking up the alley towards me.

We had the best dinner. We laughed, and talked for two hours. I was so nervous that I didn't even finish my food (which is SUPER unlike me) and yet, she slammed her entire burger and beer. It was at that moment, I knew she was the one ;)

I then, very nervously, asked her if she wanted to take a walk. Our food was gone, but our conversations were far from it.

So we walked around Campus under the stars for about 3 hours before planting ourselves under a gazebo for more conversation. I remember seeing her under the dim glow of the string lights that outlined the gazebo... I knew at that moment: she was my person.

From there, we fell deeper into friendship, and deeper into love. The rest is truly history... a beautiful history, with a bright and exciting future.

Now, we await our marriage day where we get to promise ourselves to each other's company forever, and thank and praise God for His overwhelming love. He has trusted Lauren and I with each other, and given us each someone to grow beside and praise Him forevermore- and we couldn't be more blessed.

Thank you for taking the time to read part of our story. We can't wait to celebrate alongside you. And, thank YOU for being a part of our story.

With much love,

Chase and Lauren

Timeline