Fieldstone Grill

Rehearsal and Dinner

The Bridge - Portage

Rehearsal 

Rehearsal Dinner

The Bridge Church - Portage

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Lord Willing…   Daniel often uses this phrase to indicate that we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but that he has hope and faith that God will lead us where He needs us to be. I’m blown away by all the pieces that had to be in place before Daniel and I could meet - the growth, the hurt, the open doors, and side quests. It all had to be there for us to be the people we are now, and then to find each other. I see God’s hand knitting together those threads throughout our lives to bring us here.   I reached a huge milestone in my weight loss journey in December 2024 and decided to reward myself with something totally different. Membership on a dating app. And just after a month I had had enough - too many creepers and limited quality matches (or, rather, NO matches with my strict parameters). I cancelled the subscription but was told I could finish out January. Sure, doubt it would work, but hey. Why not.   My prayer changed. I prayed not just for a good man. I prayed to our Impossible God for an impossible man, with qualities so rare these days I knew if I saw him I would know it was God who put him there. Lord willing.   Then there he was. Impossible.   We chatted online. We talked on the phone for hours. We met in person. He took me, appropriately, to a church on our first date—his dojo. We pray together, walk through Bible studies together. He led me to his church, now my church, and a life group with life-changing friendships. I have grown, am challenged, ugly-cried and flourished in the short time we’ve been together. I climbed a mountain! And in each moment our Creator was there, weaving the threads and strengthening the fabric of a new life He has been planning for ages.   So, Lord willing, we’re finally ready and able to follow His path for us.   Thank you for being a part of our story.

Our Story

Photos

Rebekah (Beki) Hodgman

Matthew (Matt) Smith

Jeff Wenke

Bethany’s amazing, beautiful, and talented niece! Basically, she’s in charge. 

Maddie Hodgman

This gorgeous gal will be my new niece! Eliza is a sweet, compassionate young lady and we’re so blessed to have her in our lives!

Eliza Smith

A girl with magical hugs! Eme is as sweet as can be and such a fun, sassy kid!

Eme Popovich

Wedding Party

Q + A

The Bridge Church - Portage Campus

Free hot breakfast, indoor pool, pet-friendly, fitness center. Rates from $108 to $136

Homewood Suites By Hilton Kalamazoo-Portage

Indoor pool, free breakfast, on-site restaurant. Rates from $114 to $129

Fairfield Inn Kalamazoo West

Indoor pool, kids eat free. Rates from $74 to $116

Daniel & Bethany

Daniel & Bethany

Wedding Party