Hey everyone!

It's Noah here, and I am excited to tell you why we are really here today. It all started where most modern day love stories start, the DMs (that’s a social media term for direct messages for those on the older end of things). Elena had noticed me worshipping at church and had messaged me about it. Me, being totally oblivious, didn’t notice her initial advances and missed the opportunity. But, I am thankful that the God I believe in is a God of second chances.

For me, 2023 was a year of weddings! More-and-more of my close friends entered into the covenant of marriage, and I started earnestly praying that God would bring a woman of faith into my life. It was also the year that I met the love of my life Elena, at Crossroads Bible Church.

One Sunday morning, before church, there was a pre-church worship service being held by The Post (the young adult group). When the service ended, I wandered over to a newer guy named Phillip and introduced myself. There was a little over an hour before our actual church service so he invited me to breakfast with him at Wolfgang’s. Little did I know, Elena was also on her way to Wolfgang’s, with her roommate, Kat as she had invited Phillip to have breakfast with them as well! When I pulled into the parking lot, Phillip was talking with Elena and Kat. As soon as we all sat down for breakfast, Elena and I had instant chemistry. It felt right. All four of us ended up (unintentionally) skipping church that morning, lost conversation.

As soon as I got home, I looked her up on social media, as most people do these days, and embarrassingly noticed she had messaged me almost a year before! This time, I was NOT going to miss this opportunity, and I slid into her DMs. It was like a social media Uno Reverse Card. I fully expected her to ignore me. But she didn’t.

Our first official date was at a tea shop where we joked about animals and drew silly doodles on napkins while munching on tiny sandwiches. A little over a month later, I asked her to officially be my girlfriend. Fast forward a few weeks, I was in Oxford, England on a study trip and I felt a clear sign in my prayers that Elena was the one. Our love grew deeper, and a year after our first date, I was ready to take the plunge. I picked a special spot and standing in the rain I asked Elena to marry me.

Now, as we start this next chapter, we cherish the little things: pizza on the beach at sunset, cooking meals with friends, dancing in kitchen to old Italian songs, trips and cottage days with family, and growing together in faith.

So, here I am, Noah French getting married! I remember when I was little my dad used to open our family bible at dinner and pray for my future wife. All those years ago God was already writing my story, one full of mistakes and grace, but preparing me to step into this next stage of life.

So why are we here today? I am here today to commit to spending the rest of my life with the love of my life, Elena Emily Brownell. I invite each of you to pray for us, walk with us, and hold us accountable. God is writing our story, and each of you are a part of it.

To say I’m excited for May 17 is an understatement.