Through Cole’s Eyes

During the long, lonely months of the pandemic, I received a text from my high school crush, Abby Rhodes. It was a picture of a dog, also named Cole, followed by the message "I didn't know you were a dog." It caught me off guard and I had no idea how to interpret that. I responded, she responded, and we began talking every day, anticipating every photo, message, or phone call (we are a very millennial couple).

On August 22, 2020, Abby confessed her feelings for me (if you could believe that!) and I responded "feelings mutual," followed by weeks of regret for that terrible reply. Our first date consisted of homemade pizza at her house and a movie, Second Hand Lions. The following Sunday she invited me to First Baptist which began my connection with the First Baptist Church family. From the beginning, Abby has been there for me and supported and encouraged me in all I do, from Nursing school to my relationship with Christ. She has proven herself to be the biggest blessing given to me and I just knew the Lord led her to me.

After saving up throughout the school year and winter break (and lots of praying), I finally bought a diamond to seal the deal with this one-of-a-kind girl, bringing us to the present, and the rest is history.

Through Abby's Eyes

I felt a little gutsy sending a text to, at the time, a stranger. Now we weren't complete strangers; we were friend-of-a-friends. When I sent that picture, the most interaction we had was when he sent me so many unopenable links that my poor little phone couldn't keep up. I knew then that he was a person that teases a lot (still true today), but what I was too naive to realize is that he was "throwing pebbles". When a little boy likes a little girl, instead of confessing his feelings he proceeds to pick on her, and in some cases that can be throwing pebbles just to get on her nerves. All of the little things he did to make me roll my eyes or huff were his way of trying to get my attention.

Fast forward a few months and we have been texting back and forth every day. I was talking to God because I had never felt this way about any of my friends in the past. This was so different, and a little scary. How was I supposed to know if this guy I had only been texting with, not even talking to face-to-face, was someone I saw as a potential boyfriend? I prayed, gave the issue to God, and honestly forgot about it. One day, I was struck with this gut feeling that I just had to tell him how I felt. So naturally I put it off for a few days because what if he said he didn't feel the same way! That would be all sorts of embarrassing. In the end, I had nothing to worry about because, and I quote, "feelings mutual".

Over our years together I have learned so much about him and he has grown to be my best friend. I am so excited to begin this new chapter of our lives with him by my side.