Jason

I met Geordan in August last year; we were sitting together at a college campfire, still new to Wisconsin and had just barely unpacked. I had brought my guitar (yes, because I'm that campfire acoustic-guitar guy) and was "serenading the ladies" ;)

Geordan was sitting to my right, and I remember her singing along with me as I strummed worship songs with the group.

We wanted to spend more time with one another. but because I had told myself I wasn't going to begin a relationship right at the beginning of the semester, we didn’t pursue anything more than friendship.

At the end of the semester, I was preparing to drive to Missouri to spend time with family. Before I left for the long drive that awaited me, Geordan caught me in the hallway between classes and told me that if I needed someone to stay up for the duration of the drive and talk, she would be willing to call me. So as I drove through the night, I belabored the notion of calling Geordan, which would potentially lead her on. I didn't want to do that unless I was willing to follow up and continue pursuing her. So after much prayer, I decided to call her.

Over the month of December, I think we texted every day. Eventually, I could tell that my heart was invested in getting to know Geordan, and that our conversations brought out the best in me. I wanted to know Jesus better because of her. So after staying up praying at my bedside on December 28th, I decided to revisit the conversation with her about pursuing a relationship more intentionally.The next afternoon, I called her and asked her if she felt a peace about getting to know each other within a dating context, and she said that she did.

I expedited my travel plans to Wisconsin in order to see her sooner and move back into my dorm room. As I was driving, I remember thinking, "I should make her dinner tonight so that we can catch up and have something to do later." So I drove to the grocery store first and picked up some ingredients.

I made her a coconut chicken curry over rice, and after eating together we drove to a nearby lake which was frozen over. We ended up on a bridge overlooking the lake, and just took in the moment together. After that date, we ended up going on many more, working on homework together, and talking about our futures. I explained that I was pursuing overseas church planting as a career, and by the Lord's grace and leading, she was also on that path.

Fast forward to around three months from then. I had been praying and seeking wisdom from mentors and close friends, asking them to speak into our relationship. Consistently through this time I was set at peace when I considered spending a lifetime with Geordan. We love to serve together, we love to build up one another as we pursue Christ, and we both have a heart for reaching those who have not heard the name of Jesus Christ.

So on March 14th, 2020, I had Geordan meet me in the lobby, where we began our first date. I had made her breakfast, (bacon, eggs, hash browns, cold brew) and set up a vase with roses and a note. We had breakfast together and then I took her back to the same lake we visited on our first date. After walking together and talking about how we had grown since the last time being at that lake, we came upon the bridge. I told her that over those months of getting to know her, I had received confirmation that she was the one I wanted to love for the rest of my life, serve, partner with, laugh with and grow old with. I knelt and asked her to marry me there.

She said yes!

Geordan:

The first time I met Jason was at a bonfire at Ethnos360 Bible Institute. I remember him playing guitar and showing off a bit, but the most memorable thing about that night was watching him praising the Lord and providing worship for the other new students. He was the one who caught my eye and I was already looking for ways to interact with him more.

We continued to be friends and check in from time to time. We had a couple of adventures with groups of friends which included checking out Pewaukee Lake and taking a road trip through Minnesota and Iowa. I noticed around Thanksgiving break that Jason seemed very run down and tired from trying to keep up with work, classes and leading worship. I asked him how he was doing, and he told me that he was feeling pretty lonely. He said he was having a hard time keeping up with friends and finding people he had things in common with. I told him that I was always willing to hang out and would be available when I wasn’t working.

The next day he invited me to join him for a camera test to compare his video cameras. The test turned into a walk and long conversation. It was then that Jason finally admitted to liking me at the beginning of the semester and I was speechless. We continued to talk and went to Culvers to eat dinner. We both decided to be praying and seeking counsel on how to move forward. I wanted a relationship, but I was also afraid of being hurt.

Then Christmas break came, and Jason called me during his 8-hour drive to Missouri. I was surprised to hear from him because I doubted that our previous conversation would lead to anything. But we talked for several hours and got to know each other better. We continued to text and call during break, and our conversations kept coming back to God, what we were learning, and the work he was doing in each of our lives. And during break on December 29th, Jason FaceTimed me and expressed interest in starting to date exclusively.

The first date we had was the day Jason drove back to the school. He made me dinner and then we explored Pewaukee lake. We joked around and had fun exploring together. We found a beautifully lit bridge at the end of the night before heading back to the school.

The next weeks were filled with playing music together, studying together, exploring new restaurants, and many long conversations. Our relationship with each other grew, as our relationship with God was growing. Jason encourages me to put God first, and to find my comfort in Him first. We spur each other on in our Biblical studies and our relationships with friends. It wasn't long before we started considering marriage.

Another month went by, and Jason told me to meet him in the lobby on Saturday morning. I had my suspicions as to what was happening (he had already asked for my ring size). We met in the morning and I was greeted with roses and a homemade breakfast. Jason took me to Pewaukee lake and re-created our first date together. We walked to the bridge and I heard our song playing.

Jason got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

I said yes!