Buckle up because this story is evidence of God's goodness and that His timing is perfect!

I had just moved to Charleston for school and started going to a new church (Shane was on staff there). Very shortly after, I got dinner one night with the youth pastor there and his wife. One of the FIRST things she asked me during dinner was "Are you dating anyone?!" ...I was single (not looking to mingle lol) and had just started college. She proceeded to randomly say during that dinner "Well I have someone for you...his name is Shane!" ...It's actually hilarious because I remember her also asking me what my type was (literally was trying to match make so hard) and I think I had said something like "a cowboy who loves Jesus" and she was like "oh he isn't really a cowboy" and then we all laughed it off. That was the end of that right?! So I thought (!!!)

Around that same time, I was invited to come to the youth group one night. This is the crazy part because Shane was there and I met him but did NOT remember meeting him at all! I'll let him tell that part to ya ;) It was crazy... All in God's timing.

Our church had a young adult small group (it was literally at Shane's house lol) and I went one night, in the hopes of meeting new people and finding community! And that was the night I met Shane. I remember him sitting beside me during small group lol and complimenting me on my shoes but that was it. I also remember thinking in my head...this dude is so awesome and on fire for Jesus -- I hope we can be friends! And then bam... we were "friends" :)

Halloween was approaching and our "small group" was getting together at his house to pass out candy to the neighborhood. I show up and it's only him and his roommates HA. Genius move right?! I was still clueless lol and was having the time of my life. That night, he asked me if I wanted to come to the fair with him and some people from our small group for his birthday and of course, I said yes! Why wouldn't I want to celebrate him?!

It was fair day. He bought my ticket, food...I think he got me a stuffed animal because we all know I will always be a kid at heart (lol), and was literally such a gentleman the entire time. And that's when I figured it out. He liked me and was trying to pursue me! And even though I was hesitant to admit it at first, I liked him too. That same night at the fair, he managed to get just the two of us on the chairlift and that's when he asked me on a date! Surprise.... I said yes.

Our first date was a literal dream. He picked me up and we went to Come Back Shack, got burgers, laughed til we couldn't breathe (I probably had mustard all over my face lol but I didn't care) and had a ball. Then, he was determined to get me coffee (even though it was like 8 or 9pm at this point lol). We drove around the entire city of Charleston trying to find a coffee shop that was open, and this is when I knew....he knew all the lyrics to T-Swift and proceeded to sing them all at the top of his lungs to me in the car. After driving for Lord knows how long, we stopped at Ye Ole Fashioned in downtown Charleston for ice cream and walked around Waterfront Park, and sat on the swings overlooking the water and watched the stars, talking about our dreams. It was the most dreamy first date.

From the night we met and to this very day, Shane has pursued me so well. I prayed for so long that the man God had for me would most importantly be unashamed of the Gospel and would love Him first before he loved me, that he would love and give sacrificially, and that he would also make me laugh and dance through life, even when things get hard. Shane is all of those things and more and is a steady reminder of God's grace and love. He is a big kid at heart, who loves so well and would do anything for his people! He truly is my best friend.

I remember thinking after our first date that if this didn't work out, what an impact he had made on my life already. And what a JOY and a GIFT it is that I get to do life with him now and until the Lord calls us into eternity with Him. Thank you Jesus for Shane Matthew!!

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