I have known Maggie for the last three years extensively. It was the summer of 2021 when we truly became friends with our summer project at Elevate. Technically, she was also my first prom date! Avery Johns, my leader and the man who baptized me, believed that Maggie and I would be a perfect fit in terms of Village leading together. In his mind, he saw too similarly minded people who were outgoing and eccentric and able to draw a unique blend of friends together for the sake of the Lord. He also later claimed that he knew all along that we would be dating but I don’t entirely buy that one :)

Seeing Maggie's passion for leadership and her willingness to sacrifice her schedule, resources, and energy to share the Gospel was immensely attractive to me. Throughout our friendship before dating, I was able to see Maggie's care for her roommates and her sisters and she was always so quick to help me when I was in need. She was so understanding and gracious during my difficulties as a village leader and the other obstacles in my life. Simple gestures such as buying me my favorite chips, coming on my co-created podcast as a guest, and inviting me to come take a tour of her work will always stick with me. Magnusson is so welcoming and joyful to be around.

Maggie is endlessly patient with me. Maggie is so kind to others through her servant’s heart. Maggie is humble about herself, and her interests, and humbled by the Lord. Maggie does not repay evil for evil and instead builds others up with her words. Maggie cares about justice and fair treatment for people and our environment. Maggie has childlike wonder and joy. Lastly, she has always said and I truly believe her, that she would fight for me. She even once said during my mental health struggles last year, “If it meant that I had to tell you every day a list of reasons why I want to be with you, I would do it.” It’s hard to swallow the pill of self-deprecation but Maggie is determined to ensure I value myself properly in all three aspects. Physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Maggie constantly shows several fruits of the Holy Spirit and while we as people can be fallible it is clear that she has the Lord present in her life. We can change for better or worse as people and it can be difficult to depend on one another through that but as Hebrews says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today, and forever.” We are aiming to build our lives on Him as the foundation (Matthew 7:24-27), and we want to show the same love and grace that He continuously has for us when we fall short.

It would be one of the best gifts, even the greatest, I could receive in this life to marry Magnusson Grace Mussard, and to learn how to grow in love and service to her in the many years to come.

Deacon and I really started to become friends at Elevate 2021 where we were in the same village. I didn’t understand his humor or sarcasm so I wasn’t super impressed by him 🤪

We were chosen to lead a village together in Ellensburg starting that fall and that’s when I really got to know him. I learned about his heart for students on campus, his desire to deeply understand the Lord, his need for Jesus in daily life and his honesty towards his struggles. We led together for a whole year as besties. Earning ourselves the “friendship" award by our leaders.

We continued to be friends but at a respectful distance as we were both navigating different struggles and life circumstances. I was learning to be single and content in the Lord and as soon as I had come to terms with that I realized I was crushing. (funny how God does that) We started our second year village leading together but there was a different level of chemistry going on. Deacon invited himself over to my house to help me bake (something I did not need help with) and he told me a lot of sweet things about my character and how he wanted to get to know me better and if I was interested in going on a date. I said yes (of course :) So we went on our first date, and then a couple more, and January 2nd he asked me to be his girlfriend!

We started out dating trying to navigate appeasing our community and learning what its like to look like Christ in that, which ultimately led to a breakup in March. We both had really important things to learn and God really used our hiatus to grow both of us and teach us that we are living to glorify Him not ourselves. In May 2023 Deacon asked me if I would be willing to consider dating again. I was over the moon because part of me knew (really wanted) that we were meant to be together, I just had to learn to be patient.

We started dating again May 7th, 2023 and the rest is history. We have learned so much about each other and our God through our good times, our conflict, and navigating life together. Deacon is so quick to apologize, quick to own up to his mistakes, he is emotionally intelligent and an excellent communicator (which teaches me how to do the same). He is also quick to explain his sarcasm or even tone it down. He is gracious, and so caring to put aside his grievances to comfort me and take care of me. I have so much hope for the future when I dream about a life with him. I look up to his leadership and trust him fully to lead me and our future family to the Lord instead of myself. I love catching myself saying his phrases and making his jokes. I can't wait for my friends and family to be so blessed by his addition to my life in a marriage context. I am so blessed and the Lord is so kind to bring us together.