HIS POV

During my last semester of college, I would routinely eat dinner with a friend of mine every Monday at around the same time and place in the dining hall. While eating with him one of those weeks, I remember looking across the room and seeing this beautiful girl with the prettiest smile, that girl was Jodi Lester.

I had never met her before so I initially tried to brush it off, but for some reason couldn’t stop thinking about her and hoped I would see her again. The very next week I attend dinner and sit in the same spot I had the weeks prior, and to my surprise, when I look up, there she is. She also routinely ate with her friends at the same time and so after a few weeks of seeing her in the dining hall, I knew I had to meet her.

I began to ask around to see if I had any mutual friends that could introduce me to her and eventually I found one. I asked that friend to set something up that would allow me to meet her. When she asked me why, I told her point blank, “Because I have to ask that girl out.” Eventually the plans were set, and on February 16th, 2024, Jodi agreed to go out with me for a cup of coffee.

I met Jodi a few days later for our first date and was immediately swept away. She had such a kind and loving spirit, and clearly had a heart for the Lord. What was supposed to be a short time together on that first date quickly turned into several hours where we talked about anything and everything. From that point on we began to continue going out and getting to know each other. Later that semester we began to officially date and started growing closer to one another in our relationship.

Looking back, it is crazy to see how the Lord has orchestrated every step in our relationship. Now we are engaged and are ready to continue to grow with one another in marriage. God has truly blessed me by bringing Jodi into my life and I can’t wait to spend a lifetime with her!

HER POV

One day last February, I was talking with some friends before chapel. A certain friend told me she knew of a guy that was asking about me, but she refused to give any information about who this supposed guy was. After finally convincing her to talk, she said, "It’s Ethan!"

I knew Ethan had been the student body chaplain a few years prior but we ran with different crowds and there was no way he even knew who I was. No way did Ethan Granata want to meet me. Sure enough, about a week later, I met Ethan at dinner with some friends. After we ate, our friends mysteriously disappeared and Ethan intentionally redirected the conversation to why he wanted to meet me. He then asked for my number and asked me to coffee. I went to coffee the following Tuesday excited but unsure how it would turn out. Instead we talked and laughed for hours and unbeknownst to him, I skipped a video class to stay and talk even longer. From there, we kept finding ways to hang out and spend time together.

We officially started dating in April and it was clear to me that Ethan was a man who sincerely loved the Lord and had a passion to serve Him. Conversations about the Lord flowed effortlessly into our daily conversations and I began to realize that I could easily spend the rest of my life with him. As we continued to date, Ethan kept amazing me with his heart for people, thoughtfulness, and gentleness. He is always looking for ways to surprise me or make me laugh. The biggest surprise of all was when he showed up in Pensacola after I finished finals to propose! God showered me with blessings when He brought Ethan into my life, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for us!

E&J

Wedding Day