After a few years of not-so-patiently waiting, we each arrived at training ready to move abroad for the next 2 years as singles. The Lord had other plans in mind.

Logan and I met the first few days of training and immediately hit it off talking about our soon-to-be homes. While we were moving to completely different countries, it quickly became obvious that there was mutual interest between us. At first it looked like lots of pickup volleyball games and "accidentally" ending up on the same team, and then it progressed to eating meals and studying together. As we started getting to know each other more intentionally, we each realized that the relationship could be special. After weeks of holding out for as long as he could, Logan attempted to bring clarity to the situation. We finally discussed our feelings, but the distance and unknowns of the future still felt difficult to overcome for the both of us. We weren't sure what our relationship would look like moving forward, especially when I had to change countries last minute, but Logan had proven to be a shoulder to cry on (literally) and we decided to see where the Lord would lead us! We left America pretty unsure of the future, but excited for the possibilities ahead.

After settling in to our separate countries, we began texting when we could and FaceTiming weekly. It was hard not being with one another after all the weeks we had spent together at training, but it meant everything that we were still able to talk consistently. Some days the 2500 miles between us felt like worlds apart, but we're grateful for how God used those times to draw each of us closer to Himself and to each other. And sometimes, we got to visit each other in person!

Every 5-6 months we met in different countries and saw some incredible things! The sights and experiences were definitely amazing, but we were mostly just happy to be together. It was hard to focus on anything else during the days that we were together and we truly cherished every moment we had, knowing they would soon be gone. The airport trips to return to our separate countries were always filled with tears as we said goodbye for another 5 months, and then it was back to texting and FaceTime. We continued to trust that if God wanted us together in the future, then He would make a way for it to happen.

After 2 years of long, long distance, we moved back to America! We had made it! We had great time with our families, and then after a few months, we both moved to North Carolina for master's degrees. Now we live across the street from each other and it's never been better! We don't take any moments together for granted as we know how hard it can be to be apart. The last 8 months have looked a lot more like normal life, cooking dinner together, going on walks, and balancing jobs and classes. It's been a sweet time of reassurance for both of us and by the end of our spring semester we agreed that we were ready for the next step! We got engaged June 28th and are so excited to take on even more of life together!!