Laura and I were not close, but knew of each other for a few years before dating. In August of 2018 Laura and I both moved to Wake Forest, NC to begin attending Southeastern Seminary. Soon after, we both also joined Imago Dei Church in Raleigh which is where we would periodically cross paths.

The first time we would meet each other was at a wedding shower for some mutual friends in 2019. where we discussed Tim Keller, NYC, Germany and Seminary. After that wedding shower though, we didn't really get to cross paths except for occasionally having a bit of small talk at church.

One Sunday at the beginning of 2023, we both happened to park near each other and walk in to church at similar times. It was this time that we exchanged phone numbers and connected regarding a potential counseling job. Laura was leaving a school counseling position and was curious if I was interested in the job. We initially connected about the job, but I would soon ask her to dinner.

Our first date was at a Korean restaurant in Durham on May 1st and Laura was then a part of my interview at the school on May 2nd. Glad I made a good early impression! I brought a flower with me on our first date and kept it in my car. If our date went well, I would give it to her at the end. Well... Laura kept that flower and now has it in her room. Our story is fun and timely in a way only the Lord could construct.

Nate and I met at a wedding shower, in 2019. It was almost four years later that we went out on a first date. We've joked in recent months "wow, what were we waiting for?" Surely we could have figured this match out sooner? Yet, it worked out exactly as it needed to and not only because of the individual personal growth that happened (though there was a lot of that too.) In four years of being acquaintances, I got to observe Nate in his interactions with others, where I saw his kindness. I got to observe his service to our local church, where I saw his faithfulness. I heard others mention his name and speak so highly of him, and I began to trust his character. And in our sporadic conversations over those four years, I saw his humor and genuineness. So, when we happened to park next to each other in the church parking lot last January, I was excited to see him. When he asked me out on a date a few months later, I said yes without hesitation. And when he asked me to marry him 9 months later, it was an easy yes again. God knew, and we eventually figured it out. Just had to take the longer route to get here.