Our relationship has always been a little different. The best kind of different. Let me share just a few things to help you get the idea. . . I was the one teaching him science. Our friendship was born out of a car accident. Jay gave my friends flowers and my sister jewelry before he graced me with either. The wedding dress was bought before the ring was on my finger. Our first date was the day we started courting. And our first kiss will be on our wedding day. The list could certainly continue and much laughter would accompany a deeper explanation of each scenario, but the story we really want to share is the story of how God brought us into one another’s lives through the different, the special, the painful, and the beautiful of our separate lives brought together - soon to become one.

Sarah: The journey was long that brought me to be standing before 45 students in the Science 137 lecture hall on the campus of Bob Jones University. In one years time, I had left my pursuit of a career in Biology in Canada, changed my major to nursing, moved to SC to attend BJU, settled on a new home church called North Hills, learned the art of extroversion, and met many incredible people. The Lord’s gentle providence allowed for a brief relationship that taught me all that I did and did not want in a true partner for life while also drawing me closer to God’s heart than I had ever been. God was my peace and my all. I was satisfied with a life with him and no other. Meanwhile, I got an email from Dr. Chetta who was my previous anatomy course professor, asking me if I would like to teach a study group for him. This had been a dream on my mind since starting his course. So, with a prayer of thanksgiving, I accepted.

Jayson: After an arduous process of searching and praying for the right major, I arrived at the conclusion that a career as a physician assistant was exactly the place God was leading me. On the first day of my anatomy class for my new major, my professor, Dr. Chetta, announced that “Sarah Scott” would be teaching his study group. I was hesitant to attend at first (I had experienced my fair share of less than ideal study groups). But alas, I thought, I’ll give it a shot. Upon arriving to the study group, the teacher walked in. It was her - that annoying happy girl! I had seen her around campus for a year and simply could not understand how she could possibly be so joyful during this stressful time of life. Thus, my journey began. A journey of learning about and loving this amazing, joyful young woman - my Sarah.

Sarah: I think he’s that guy that always comes to study group. He looks lonely, I thought. I should go introduce myself - we are at church after all, and I’ve always wanted to be the person to welcome others as I was welcomed at North Hills. I moved an inch in his direction, but a fear held me back. No, I can’t do this again. Kindness seems to be the start of all my social trials, I said in my heart. As soon as that thought surfaced, another from the Spirit washed over it. Yes, but is this about you or is it for him? He’s my child. Go take care of my kid. With that purpose, I was moving again.

My phone vibrated in my pocket as I walked out of church. It was Jay offering us his services as a driver if my friends and I ever needed a hand. That was so thoughtful. Wow. Someone looking out for others’ needs proactively. That’s a rare quality these days. . . I wondered how I could thank him. Maybe I can pray for him. . . I should reply and ask him what he needs from God right now. . .

And so our friendship began in the word, in prayer, in deed, and in transparency.

Letters of scriptural encouragement and personal sharing over text, sitting together for church, an ice skating adventure, and a new church life group taught us much about one another. The more we knew, the more we wanted to know. Time and time again the Lord was working in and through our ever deepening friendship, and we both knew it. When Jay texted me that he had just gotten hit and was waiting to go to urgent care, the feeling I experienced told me something had formed for Jay in my heart. A zealous, passionate heart for him had grown in the soil of the semester - a heart to care for him under any condition. When he walked into the Mack building a few hours later, dripping wet from his trial in the rain, I knew in my spirit that he longed for my friendship as deeply as I did his. A summer of long early morning drives to visit me on Sundays in Greenville, SC from Brevard, NC and spend the day together confirmed this mutual desire again and again. Not one word was spoken of being “more than friends” during these many months of close relationship, but a peace from God’s own wealth kept our minds at rest.

Then, the beginning of our Junior year arrived, our families met, and my mom gave Jay my parents’ blessing. Yet, still no word was shared between Jayson and myself on the topic. In both our minds - we had been devoted to one another since the summer began - but the Lord continued to whisper patience and trust. The first Artist Series of the semester came, and Jay asked me if we wanted to go with our friends as a group. Joyful at the prospect of bringing our worlds together, I happily agreed. The day of, Jay asked what we wanted to do for dinner before the performance, adding meaningfully, “If you even want to get dinner. We’ve always done things different.” Dinner was happily planned (Wendy’s to-go in the gazebo), and my heart was racing - are we a “we”?

Fall Break was right on the heels of this lovely evening together, and we had exciting plans. . . but only God himself and Jay knew how exciting. . .

At Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park, we officially began courting. . . And the rest is history. . .

Well, not quite. On a canoe ride down the Loxahatchee River, we shared with each other an idea the Lord has laid on both our hearts separately - to get married before Senior year. A dozen deep conversations, hours of prayer, godly counsel, tears and laughs, highs and lows, Christmas break, and a new calendar year later - marriage was decided upon. A day later, the question was asked on one knee and the promise was made. . . Yes, I will marry you!

Now. . . the rest is history