To talk about our story is to talk about God's love, sovereignty, and grace. In the years before Michael and I met each other we both had a rocky few years that tried our faith. Right before we met I found myself searching for spirituality through other means than Christ. It was through a conversation with my dad that made me realize I had been spending my time angry at a God who loved me and other people, deeply. I couldn't see that through my own sin. But God loved me enough, that while I was in sin, he sent my own father to remind me of who He is. And the craziest part about this story, is that the very next day after that conversation with my dad.. I went to a young adults bible study at the church I was attending for the first time.. and I met Michael. The young adults bible study was called MYPAC and it was at The Porch. Little did I know then, that The Porch would be the place Michael would propose a year and a half later, and the place we would be getting married.

Michael and I started a friendship shortly after we met, sending each other silly messages and funny memes via instagram. At the time of our meeting though, I was not ready to date him. I was very reserved and selfish in my decision making regarding dating. I had walls up and had my heart open to what I thought was love, but the love I perceived I wanted was not really love at all. It took months of getting to know each other and Michael's unwavering support and patience for my walls to come down. And boy did they come crashing down. His consistency in checking in on me as I repaired my relationship with the Lord, his ability to make me laugh, and his selflessness are a few of the many things I fell in love with.

Before we went on, what we like to call, our first "date, not date" I told him I wanted to fall in love with my best friend. Sitting here a year and a half after that "date, not date" I can honestly say he is my best friend. I wouldn't want to walk this life with anyone else and I can't wait to marry him.