The first time I ever really was made aware of Denae Abbott, I was riding with my sister-in-law and she had a CD of Denae in her car. We listened to that CD over and over and over again. I picked up the album and looked at the front cover and thought to myself, “Wow, she is pretty.” I didn’t meet Denae until years later, but continued listening to her albums.

The first time I remember thinking maybe there was a possibility was 2023 at the Antioch Conference in Glendale, Arizona. Denae walked past and stopped and talked to me for a few minutes.

Months later, I found an organ on Offer Up; I had been looking for quite some time. When I saw the name on the listing, I couldn’t help but notice there was a good chance it was coming from the Abbott’s church. When we went to look and to purchase the organ, I was wishing and hoping that Denae would be there; unfortunately I don’t think she was aware of this going on and was not there. People kept bringing it up that I should have Denae teach me how to play the organ, and I was very keen on the idea.

In January 2024, the Abbotts hosted a youth conference and I attended. The first night Pastor Garrett preached a sermon on God’s timing and waiting for God’s ‘now’. That night after the service we went to Rudy’s BBQ and I ended up in the line right with Denae and her niece. We talked all the way through the line. After ordering, we went our separate ways; but I couldn’t stop thinking that all I wanted to do was head over to their table and continue the conversation. I ended up positioning myself so that they had to walk past me to leave the restaurant. It worked! We ended up talking for a few more minutes before heading out.

The next service Denae was up leading the choir, and my Pastor walked off the platform and stood right in front of me. He leaned over to me and said, “Brother Josh, she can lead a choir. Brother Josh, she can sing. Brother Josh, she is pretty.” My response back to him was, “Pastor, you preached last night to wait for God’s timing.” Pastor said, “Brother Josh, how do you know this ISN’T God’s timing?”

I was able to talk to her for a few minutes that night, but not very long, unfortunately. About a month later, we saw each other at the Oneness Conference. Again, we ended up in line together and talked while our food was getting prepared. Once our food came out, we ended up going to a table and sitting together and talked for a few hours. After that conversation, I knew that I wanted to spend forever with Denae Joy Abbott. At our next church service, I went to my pastor and asked to start communicating with Denae and got the permission: hallelujah!

September 7, I made the arrangements and took her up to Sedona. I walked her down to a creek and got down on one knee and asked her to be my wife. She said YES and I couldn’t be more thankful! December 21, 2024 will be the most wonderful day of my life!