Corey and I met April 23, 2016 at a wedding of mutual friends after being set up on the dance floor by the DJ. Corey was a groomsmen in the wedding and I was a new friend of the Bride & Groom through our Renew Communities church. After being introduced on the dance floor, we danced to a few slow songs including "God Gave Me You" and "My Girl" (both now seem so fitting!) Corey and I chatted the whole time while we danced and lingered for a few minutes after. We connected the following day after the wedding over social media and began sending long messages back and forth for several days.

Corey asked me out for first date just a week after we met. We had dinner in Ohio City at the Black Pig on May 5, 2016. The dinner lasted for nearly three hours, we practically shut the place down! There was sweet conversation and sharing of our hearts over dinner. That same weekend we met for coffee before Corey left town. Our messaging continued daily and the dates continued steadily after that!

I'm continually amazed and in awe with how the Lord brought this man into my life, so graciously allowing our paths to cross and how He has moved our hearts since, in ways we both didn't see coming. I'm so grateful for God's plans, plans formed long ago in perfect faithfulness, (Isaiah 25:1) plans that are greater than my own.

Corey asked me to marry him and I said YES on October 21, 2016. He proposed on a Friday evening at Lakewood Park almost exactly six months after we first met. It had been raining all day, it was windy and the waves of Lake Erie were crashing over the breakers. Corey still convinced me to take a little trip to Lakewood Park, because it is such a special place for us. Just a few blocks from my apartment, we have spent many evenings watching the sunset over Lake Erie, having late night conversations sharing our hearts, faith, dreams and seeking God's will for our future. It was also the place we had our first kiss, almost the exact same spot he proposed. For the proposal, we were embracing, taking in the captivating waves and weather, sharing our hearts and next thing I knew, Corey got down on one knee. It feels like a little bit of a blur and I think it took me a few minutes to say yes because I was in shock and filled with pure JOY. I of course said YES, the second easiest decision we both have ever made (aside from saying YES and professing our love & faith in, Jesus Christ our Lord & Savior).

Following the proposal, Corey had made reservations for us to return to the location of our first date at the Black Pig in Ohio City. We had a lovely dinner and celebration, taking in the memories of where it all began. Next, we traveled to Strongsville for an impromptu engagement party and my parent's home. Corey's parents joined us along with my brother and some of his friends, we got to celebrate with some champagne and excitement!

There is such a sweet peace and contentment in our hearts that Jesus desires for us to join our lives together in marriage. The ways of the Lord are so loving and faithful, we are so in awe of His loving faithfulness in our sweet love story. Corey is more than I ever could have asked for and beyond all that I have prayed for in a husband, I deeply love him and can't wait to be his wife! We are so filled with joy, excitement and praise!