I believe that every good story connects to God loving us so much that he gave His Son up for ransom, so that we would be able to dwell with Him forever despite our brokenness and sin. When I think about our story, I can't help but think of how His perfect love will forever cover and transform us until we see Him face to face.

I want to thank you on the front end for being willing to read and celebrate with us what God has put together for His name sake. Now let’s get started! The story truly begins with an 8 month discipleship program called the Forge. I was the Men's Director for the Forge for 5 years. My last year working in that job I got to have Delo there as a student. I knew about Delo before she got into the Forge through EJ Hibbler and once she was a student, I will say I did think she was really pretty, but I didn't have interest in pursuing her. I promise. However, I did remember being impressed and challenged by her security in Jesus. Halfway through the program I started my current job as the director of the Outback, Pine Cove's middle school camp. Later into the summer Delo's really close friend and Forge sister who worked on staff asked the leading question "Dexter if you could ask anyone on a date who would it be?". It didn't take me long to answer. I thought through all the girls that I knew and she was the first one to come to mind. I thought she was really pretty and so secure, but I didn't think she liked me, so I told Anna "I mean Delo, but there's no way that would happen." Little did I know what was to come.... Anna smiled and said "Well if you see her, I really think you should ask her out."

A few weeks later once summer was over Anna asked me if I was ever going to ask Delo on a date. I told her that my plan was to ask her out during the Pine Cove Baylor tailgate. Delo ended up coming to the Baylor tailgate. My heart was racing! We got to spend some time talking with our friends then somehow we found ourselves alone for a moment. Once that happened you know what I did... I decided not to ask her out yet. I know I know I know. I was really in my head about it. I went to the game with Garret Ward and for the entire game I couldn't stop thinking about it. I just keep thinking Dex she's awesome. You've got to ask her out!!! So once the Baylor game was over, which they lost, I got on the phone and called Delo. Once I had her on the phone all of my nerves really went away. I truly felt at peace even though I was standing in the heat all day and really dehydrated. We talked for a bit and I asked her out. When she said yes I was so hype!!!

I won't forget that first date. I got to take her to Caffe Capri in Bryan, TX and I just remember sitting there with her and for the first time I got to truly see her beauty. I loved the way she spoke about her family, how beautiful her smile was, and how she cared about knowing me for who I really was. From that moment I knew she was different. Every date from that point, I got to see more of her compassion and genuine love for others. She's helped me to love myself, and to believe that God loves me. Through dating we got to work through conflict together, serve one another, and laugh with some of our closest friends. I discovered that loving her meant serving her even when I didn't feel like it. She began to learn that loving me meant trusting the love the Father has for her more than anything else. While we were dating she walked with me in grief with the passing of my Aunt Kim whom I loved. She brought comfort to me in helping me believe that we have a God who is good and acquainted with grief. While she was helping me through this grief, that's when I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

I was so excited to work on the proposal, and praise God that I didn't have to work on it alone. I got together with Marshall Wallace, Rebecca Smith, and Mitch & Lindsey Hartt to come up with a plan to celebrate the beginning of the rest of my life with Delo. We planned for months and had to keep Delo in the dark about it. I will say that was so hard to do. I mean it is so difficult to not share with her what I was working on. During this time of us dating it became really hard for Delo. I didn't propose during the time she thought that I would and because of that she didn't know if I was having cold feet or not. All the while I was ready and eager to get on a knee for this girl! In this, we got a clearer picture of how God knows all things and is intricately working in our lives, never forgetting us or every one of His promises He's made. We even had a good bit of conversation about counting the cost, and having a deeper consideration of what comes with allowing each other into every part of our lives. We also began to process that we were moving toward giving up certain freedoms that we had in our singleness, and that what made it worth it for us was knowing that we were getting something greater in return.

The day before the proposal Delo came to College Station having no idea that the next day I was going to be getting on a knee. I was so nervous the day before. All I could think about was how exciting and life changing tomorrow was going to be. Delo just had a good time and only slightly noticed that I was acting really different that day. Now comes the big day. The plan was to have Delo eat breakfast with Rebecca Smith and during breakfast Rebecca would give her a letter that was written by me telling her that the day had come for me to propose to her. Then Rebecca would drive her to the location where we would get engaged. Little did I know Delo was planning on doing free yoga that morning. We had to adjust some things because of that, but we were ready to go. Guys I need you to know I was so nervous. I checked my heart rate right before she showed up and it was at 130 BPM!!!! Crazy!! Just like when I got nervous before asking her on a date. Once she got there I started to relax, knowing I'd get to spend to with my best friend. Delo was so confused and was struggling to take in that it was our big day! I walked her to the spot and I got to tell her what it means for me to say that I love her. I got to walk her through me realizing that loving her is sacrificing and believing that I'm sacrificing for something greater and that is her, and the last thing I told her was that I wanted our lives together to be for God's glory alone. I got to ask her to marry me and praise God that she said yes. Once we finished our time at the proposal spot we got to get lunch with our parents which was the first time our family got to spend time with each other. Later that night we got to have a big party with the people we love. Now Delo and I are getting ready for October 27th. Our prayer is that our marriage would point people to the love of God. A God who fully sees us, knows our every thought, and how we've fallen short of His glory. Yet and still, who calls us His own and continually invites us to experience fullness of life. Abundant life, given to us by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ alone.

We are looking forward to you joining us on our wedding day, but even more so, we are wanting you to join us at the wedding feast when Christ returns for us- His bride. If you have never trusted Jesus as your savior. Today is a great day to do so. Praise be to God that even in our brokenness He loves us more than we could comprehend, and that in His faithfulness He's given us the precious gift of growing in demonstrating that love for all of our days together.