If you ask her.....

The first time I met Cohen was in our Stephens County Rec gym. Not the romantic setting most couples would choose! I was late and rushed, as I often am, just trying to get to my first 12U volleyball practice as a coach somewhat on time. I remember meeting the girls and the lady I would be coaching with. I can't tell you exactly when I noticed Cohen, but I know I was working with my girls on one side of the court and he was coaching his 12U girls on the other side.

At some point, I glanced across the court and I was immediately in love!

I'm kidding! I didn't really think much of him except that he was cute. I told myself I was not going to look over there but that I was going to keep my eyes on my side of the gym and focus on what I was doing. After practice I stayed to help with my dad's 17U team and for some reason this guy hung around too and started talking to me. I thought to myself, "Why is this guy talking to me?" I was thinking there was no way he was interested in me. Believe it or not, he stayed to help with our practice! Weird. At least he was good at volleyball so it was nice to have him there. Plus he was fun, polite, and had LOTS of energy.

After practice that night I told my dad I was going to the high school soccer game and that college volleyball guy heard me and started talking to me, again. He told me he had been wanting to go but that he "felt weird going back to his old high school and sitting by himself". I'm thinking yeah right whatever, but sure you can sit with me. Well.......I did not sit next to him! I hardly spoke to him! Both our younger sisters were there though and they worked their magic as all siblings do. Giggling and taking pictures, then exchanging numbers so they could continue to scheme even after we left the game that night. They do deserve some credit, so I will give it to them!

Well after a few days of volleyball practices and spending more time goofing off together than actually helping, he asked me for my number so that the next time we got a group together to play volleyball outside of practice I could let him know. I saw right through this excuse (who wouldn't?!?!?) and could hardly hold back my smile as I gave it to him.

After probably about 3 weeks of seeing each other almost every day, he had me. We started dating after about a month after first meeting each other and it has been an amazing journey. Lots of highs and lots of lows but the Lord has brought us through it all closer to Himself and closer to each other.

324 days after the first "I love you" that college volleyball guy asked me to marry him. I said yes and here we are! Looking back, if I had known what an amazing man was asking to sit with me at that soccer game I would have had a very different response. Instead of the "Sure, I guess" I gave him I'd have said, "Yes, yes, yes, please do! I will sit by your side for the rest of my life."

If you ask him.....

When I first met Kal, I was in the middle of my first 12u volleyball practice. And, well, I really didn't even meet her! I just saw her walk into the gym to help the team on the other side of the court. I thought she was super pretty like any other man with common sense would. I didn't think about it too much and finished my practice, but I couldn't take my eyes off this girl! The way she was with the kids just amazed me!

After my practice was over, I stayed with the 17u for their practice. A very nice man named James said he would appreciate the help. Well, Kal was there too!! We had fun at practice and I heard she was going to the high school soccer game. Soooo my genius self decided to make up the best excuse ever to go with her (Just ask her how good the excuse was). When we got to the game, she wouldn't even sit with me!! Not even on the same row! I offered her some skittles, to which she said no. BUT GET THIS! She took some from the kid sitting next to her! Truly, I felt betrayed. While this catastrophe of an attempt to talk to Kal was happening, both of our sisters were exchanging numbers and coming up with their plots and schemes to set us up.

We kept having practice most days of the week, and we started to talk a little more. Then one day, I decided to muster up the courage to ask her for her number. I had a great excuse for that one too, even better than the first one. We stayed up almost all night talking about any and everything! One thing led to another, and a month later we started dating!

I couldn't believe it really. I was not planning on dating anyone for a long time. I had just got home from college and was transferring schools in the fall. Well you can guess what happened after that...I never left! I stayed here to do my schooling because I had fallen flat on my face for this girl. I truly believed I was going to marry her, and I hadn't even known her that long!

But here we are! About to get married and do the rest of our lives together! Our journey so far has been wonderful, and I can't wait to keep going. It hasn't all been easy, and honestly, I don't want it to be. I want us to walk through all of life's valleys together with the Lord guiding our way. So that we may grow closer to Him, and closer to each-other as a result.

Lord, I ask that you be with us on this incredible journey. That we may fulfill the roles You have assigned to us, and that we will grow, and bear fruit to Your liking. May we bring You glory with our marriage, Lord. Let us obey Your will so that we can be an example to others. We thank You for the work You have done, are doing, and will do in our lives. I pray that You bless us and keep us, and that Your light will shine down upon us. Amen

C&K