Written by Jolie


I’ve been meaning to write this for a while, but I keep finding myself putting it off. It’s uncharacteristic of me. I had been looking forward to writing this, too. I’m passionate about words and even more passionate about my relationship with Max — how could I ask for a more perfect writing assignment!


But I realized what it is holding me back — it’s daunting to even attempt to convey what words will never be able to express.


So where do I begin? How do I explain the incomprehensible goodness of God that He has revealed to Max and me by orchestrating our relationship so perfectly? What words could explain the indescribable feeling of peace and security that Max and I have been lavished with since we fell in love?


I’ll begin with a memory from middle school. I was at a summer retreat with my church’s youth group and the speaker was talking about relationships. I believe he gave the best dating advice I’ve ever heard. He told the room of sixth- through twelfth-graders that before they are ready to date, they should first pursue Jesus. He told us to run towards the cross with all our strength, first and foremost. When we want to begin our search for a life partner, we should look to the left and the right and see who is keeping up in the pursuit of Christ.


While it was presented as a metaphor, I got to live this out somewhat physically. When I looked around at Powerhouse (Thursday night worship at Messiah), I would always see Max, his arms raised in worship. I always saw him at my Bible study, pursuing knowledge of God’s Word alongside me.


We did not fall in love at first sight. In fact, we were acquaintances all of freshman year and for the better part of the first semester of sophomore year.


When I say it all fell into place perfectly — we both noticed each other in a new light at the exact same time, which proved to be the exact right time, we went from barely pursuing each other as friends to rapidly falling head over heels in love in a matter of weeks.


In October of 2022, we went to a Casting Crowns concert together with mutual friends. After spending time getting to know each other and bonding over our shared love of worship, we both had our first thoughts that day of pursuing the relationship.


On November 10, 2022, we had a two-and-a-half hour dinner, immersed in conversation, attended Powerhouse together, and then spent about three hours together, during which Max asked me to “pursue a deeper relationship.”


A week after that, he told me he was in love with me.


Since then, our love has intensified, our friendship has deepened, and together, we run towards the cross.


I found myself tangibly living out the metaphor again on January 14, 2024 when Max asked me to marry him — at the foot of a wooden cross in Hostetter chapel (the chapel on Messiah’s campus where Powerhouse is held). He chose this location as a symbol of the way God has worked in orchestrating our story and a promise that we will center our lives on Christ.


There is nothing more beautiful in this life than the love of God expressed through His Son, Jesus, and through the relationships He gives us. And we believe there is no human relationship as beautiful as the one between soulmates.


“I have found the one my soul loves” — Song of Solomon 3:4