After the wind tore a piece of trim off of Laura's roof, she and Josiah tried to figure out a way to fix it. Unfortunately, neither of them do well with heights. So Laura called someone she knew who has no problem with heights at all - Mike. After the trim was up, they talked in the kitchen for about 3 hours.

Laura and her Rooted group remnant start the Discerning the Voice of God study. Laura's prayer was around relationships.

After church service was over, Mike and Laura were chatting about how much of a pain online dating is and Mike said he was looking for someone who loved others as a Christian, fun, and a good mom, who liked to be outdoors... and eventually said "like you"... but he thought it would be awkward to date someone on the same team at church in case things didn't work out. Laura took that completely at face value and thought it wasn't to be. But then she took a walk with Jen, who pointed out that Mike might be testing the waters to see whether Laura was interested in dating or not. Spoiler alert: Jen was right.

Laura and Mike install the light frames in the new set build for church. They were at 'hanging out' stage at this point, and it was a fun non-date.

Mike had a lot going on at home, so he came over and together he and Laura cooked several lasagnas for meals for his family (and one for Laura's family too)!

The day after Mike's birthday... even though they had talked on the phone for more than 2 hours on the previous day, Mike never mentioned that it was his birthday. Laura woke up in the wee hours and saw that his birthday was the previous day, and of course made him some cupcakes for his birthday. Mike was excited about the chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. Soon after this day Laura became known as the "Cupcake Lady" to some of Mike's family!

Our first official date!

More hanging out, this time at Makayla's dance class at the church. She wasn't feeling well so she fell asleep on Daddy's lap.

An important part of our dating was spending time with kids and bringing everyone together. This was at Makayla's dance recital practice, and Laura's kids came to watch the show.

More nature walks, with Laura's kiddos.

Laura styled Makayla's hair when she was the flower girl in her older brother's wedding.

Mike came to see Serafina's school show.

Mike started to get to know Laura's extended family during Charissa's birthday party.

Laura got to meet more of Mike's extended family too, at another summer birthday party.

Our first selfie! We took a bike ride from Mike's house down to the park.

As their relationship progressed, the kids got to know each other as well. They're enjoying treats at Frankenmuth.

What do you do when you're nurturing a new romantic relationship and kids are trying to get to know each other? Put them in a Suburban (aka Goliath Van) and travel across the country! If a relationship can survive this, it can survive anything.... ;) Spoiler alert: everyone survives!

You can't take a road trip without getting burgers at In-n-Out. First time for Laura and her kiddos.

While Laura and Josiah were both already on Mike's production team at church, Laura started 'hanging out' more at events with Mike. This is at the Barn 45 Women's worship night with some amazing ladies!

Charissa even joined the production team at church with Josiah and Laura.

It's tough to get time for just the two of us. This was our first dinner date together without kids.

Laura wasn't the only one doing more helping... Mike helped clean up Laura's Aunt's yard when Laura's cousin was getting the house ready to sell.

Laura helped out with the risers for the drums and keys at church.

One of Laura's favorite places to hang out is the Michigan Renaissance Festival (she's got a season pass). Mike tried it out that summer and liked it so much that he went back several times.

Mike even bought a pirate outfit to wear at the Renaissance Festival.

Mike has made a valiant effort to try a lot of foods he wouldn't have tried before being in this relationship. He took Laura out for Ramen on her birthday at a local restaurant.

Ring shopping! Not official, just to get ideas....:)

More time together to bond as a family. We're making Nutella cinnamon rolls!

Family dinner night at Mike's house playing Pac Man and Uno.

Mike and Laura took the older kids to see their first professional performance for Les Miserables.

Laura is definitely a forward planner. As the relationship became more serious, and the timing was more evident, the house where Mike and Laura would be living had to be made ready to house not only Mike and Makayla, but also Mike's mom, Marilyn. Construction began in Laura's basement in January 2023 to prepare the house for a family of 7.

Mike took Laura to the Fred Meijer Gardens and then out to eat at Wolfgang Puck's Kitchen Restaurant. After a beautiful carriage ride through Grand Rapids, he proposed and Laura happily accepted!