Our Love Story: From Shyness to Lifelong Commitment

Freshman Year Beginnings

Travis and I first met during our freshman year at George Fox University, living on Gulley Three. Our perspectives on how we met differ slightly, but both are deeply meaningful. Travis recalls my RA entering his room and urging him and Joses to meet me, describing me as "a super shy girl with no friends." Intrigued by the idea that there was someone out there so shy that they were going to him for a friend, Travis couldn't resist meeting me. Upon entering the living room area, he immediately noticed me and thought I was beautiful, feeling an instant connection.

I have a vague memory of this moment as well. While I don't remember his face distinctly, I do recall praying for a friend—someone who would be with me through both joy and hardship. My RA's encouragement stemmed from this prayer.

My Rendition On a pancake night in our dorm's lobby, I was deep into a swing dancing phase. My friend Anna and I were playing Just Dance when a boy with his hood up sat down on the couch. I remember thinking that if someone were to choose to sit in a loud living room, they wanted someone to talk to them. Without much more thought, I approached him, pulled his arms, and insisted he join me in a dance. (Looking back, I cannot believe I did this, I had not even known him yet) Despite turning bright pink, he started dancing with me. Immediately, I felt drawn to him. Over the following weeks, I went out of my way to talk to him, growing closer with each interaction. I even asked his RA for his number and began calling him whenever I drove. Travis was the sweetest person, and I knew early on that I loved him. There was one particular day when it dawned on me just how much this boy meant to me. My friend Hailey and I were with him in her room when we both went to use the bathroom. When we got in there I looked at her and said “I think I could really love this boy”. She thought I was crazy—after all, it had only been three weeks, so I thought it was crazy too—but I was certain.

The Journey to Us Travis and I didn't start dating immediately; our relationship was a journey. God was intentionally guiding our hearts every step of the way. There was a period of a few months where we barely spoke, but I continued to pray, asking God if it was His will for us to be together.

March 2023 - The Drive to Wendy's During a particularly challenging time in my life, I was struggling with a family member's diagnosis, commuting from Corvallis to Newberg, and feeling distant from God. At a friend's party, despite being surrounded by people, I felt incredibly lonely. I needed a moment to breathe and asked Travis to drive me to Wendy's for a Frosty. As we sat in the car, he asked me if I was okay, and I poured my heart out to him. In that moment, I knew I didn't want to lose him.

November 2024 - The Proposal Over two years later, in November 2024, Travis proposed! From the day we started dating, I knew he was meant for me, and that we would spend our lives pursuing God's heart while building a beautiful life together. On the night he proposed, Travis shared that during our time apart, he had prayed to God, asking if he were to marry someone, that it would be me as he never loved someone more. Now, here we are—celebrating our love and praising God for bringing us together. Thank you for reading our story and joining in our joy. Praise be to God!

J&T

Wedding Day