One day in 2020, I walked into the Massey home for worship. I saw Caleb outside, said hello, and walked inside. He walked in behind me. Minutes later, Mike Massey came to me whispering, “Did you come with Caleb?!” I remember being confused, and assuring Mike that we definitely were not together. I didn't know Caleb at all at the time, but this peaked my interest.

I started to notice Caleb more after this incident, and you could definitely say that I had a crush. It became a running joke with my roommates that we were basically dating, he just didn't know it yet. One day I caught word that Caleb told Mike Massey that I was cute. If you know Mike and his daughter, Rachel (who was my roommate at the time), you know they love to share secrets. Rachel found out that Caleb had said I was cute, and I vividly remember the two of us giggling like little girls because of this ground-breaking news.

I had many days where I prayed for Caleb and wrote those prayers in my journal, wishing for a date with him because I knew I would have fun just by knowing that he was funny (one of the top qualities for me.) But it wasn't until January of 2022 that he finally asked me out. We went out on a few dates, but I remember thinking, “You’re a little late now! Ive had a crush for like 2 years!”

I resisted thoughts of a relationship for a while out of fear, but once Caleb sensed this and things were fizzling out (AKA once I stopped receiving texts from him), I realized that although I had a lot of fear of relationships, God was telling me that Caleb was the one.

We had a clarifying phone call and decided to try another date, and it was easy from there on out. Since then, Ive had a best friend who is loving and bold in every situation and patient with my scattered brain. I am so thankful and excited for such a goofy, kind-hearted partner for life!

The setting is Fall 2020, I am slaving away at Lowe’s, and I get a text from Mike Massey, “What do you think about Lauren Cook?” I thought about it for a second and responded, “Who’s that?” I went to look her up on Instagram, and blew him off with a, “Meh, I guess she’s cute, but I’m good” not knowing that he had the inside scoop about her crush (Mike likes to play Cupid). I did not think much about her after that other than mentioning to a few people what Mike had said.

Fast forward to December 17, 2021. The Den (my roommates and I) gets a call from Mike with a last minute invite to his daughter's wedding the next day. While we were offended that we were not on the original list, we gladly accepted the duty of filling four spots at the prestigious table #2.

December 18, 2021 the wedding ceremony begins. The groomsmen are in place and the bridesmaids begin their grandiose entrance from the reception barn on the other side of the pond. Will, the groom, had his back to the barn as he did not want to see his bride until she was close enough for him to see her in detail (this is important for the next paragraph). The bridesmaids walk in to “Closer” by Brandon Lake, and Lauren, being the maid of honor, was the last to walk by. I did not see her until she was almost to the beginning of the aisle, and at that moment the Lord, after almost a year and a half, opened my eyes to Lauren. I got an immediate feeling of sureness that she was my wife. I knew what I was looking for, and she seemed to be the only person in the world that would be able to fulfill that desire. I knew that if I wanted a marriage that was full of the Holy Spirit, taking risks, having fun, laughing, crying, pushing each other to draw closer to the Lord in hard times, and knowing what it is to be loved, then Lauren was the one.

I called Mike a few days later admitting that “He told me so.” He was a little confused and intrigued about what I had to say. I explained to him, “Mike, I keep putting myself in Will’s shoes from the wedding. I have my back turned, and when I turn around, the only person I see is Lauren Cook. No one else feels right in that place, she’s the only one.” He laughed quite hard at the predicament I was in (I had a girlfriend at the time). I was in shambles for the next month trying to figure out why I experienced what I did at the wedding. Was I looking for greener grass on the other side of something?

January 20, 2022 comes around and I can no longer deny what happened that night just a month ago. I do what needs to be done and breathe. January 25, I asked Lauren to get coffee with me. After a few dates, she seems to want to blow me off and I’m quite upset, but also wondering if this will just turn into nothing. I told Abby that we aren't going to send her our daily Wordle score anymore (this turned the tables of who was upset).

We talked on the phone in an effort for better communication and decided for another date. The next day, February 14, 2022 I asked Lauren to be my girlfriend. That night, the Lord reminded me of what He said at that wedding. I knew for sure that I was going to marry her and I haven’t looked back!