Spring 2023

We both were going through some rough times but came together through the Lord.

Colin was dropping his cousin off at youth group the night of March 8th, and was planning to leave just after. Kirsten had already known his cousin, so walking up to them before he left was the first time they had met. Word has it he was astonished by her manly handshake...anyways, after that night of connecting, they didn't see each other for a few weeks. A big conference was going on and they didn't speak until the 22nd of March. That's where it all kicked off.

Worshiping Abba and listening to messages whilst getting to know each other was the kick start of something that has now turned into a God-filled life with amazing opportunities.

It wasn't until Kirsten's graduation where just a few weeks later, on June 22nd, he asked her to be his girlfriend.

With parent's, and grandparent's approval of course :)

Fast forward just under a year later, in the middle of March, God spoke to Kirsten's grandparents to bring him to Alaska, where he would obtain his diploma, start a wonderful job and gain his welding certification.

In the mean time back in California, Kirsten was working at a construction company keeping busy doing equipment operations.

It was definitely a hard process not being able to be around each other but it was something God wanted them to go through, so they stuck through it until it was time for Colin to come back.

May came rolling around, and mothers day was just around the corner. Colin wanted to come home to surprise his mom, so they booked the tickets, but Kirsten had no idea what was happening...

The day before mothers day, May 11th, Kirsten and Colin had left for the lake with some friends to hang out on the water. This friend is also getting married next year and Kirsten happens to be one of her bridesmaids. The friend wanted to take individual pictures with her bridesmaids, so Kirsten got her nails done and wore a dress to the lake. Colin suggested he and Kirsten take pictures as well, considering they both looked nice.

A few pictures in, Kirsten's friend had her take a few steps forward, where Colin would then get on a knee and pop the question.

After tears of joy for a few days, and the shock of this wonderful news, Colin flew back to Alaska to finish his stay. For them, it was one of the hardest moments they had together. It felt like a tease of Colin being back home. Despite their setback, and after lots of planning, Colin was able to finally come home on July 8th.

As of right now, Colin works at Marques Construction, and is moving into an apartment where Kirsten will join after the wedding day.

They are both extremely excited to start a new chapter in their lives together as Barclay's in 2025