“Do you want to go on a blind date?” Aside from saying yes to Jesus, this is the best yes that Luke and I have ever given to any question...

It was a sunny day in mid October of 2023 when my good friend Natalie first asked me (Shelby) this question. We were on a walk, catching up, and laughing about the weird date I had just gone on with the cashier from Trader Joes. I told her how even though it was now a funny story for me to tell, I was feeling sad because I really just wanted to meet someone who loved the Lord and would love me from the overflow of that love. I had no clue where I would meet a guy like this organically, seeing that even the grocery store was no longer a good option. No pun intended. “Hear me out,” Natalie said. “I just joined a kickball intramural. There’s this really sweet guy there. He goes to my church too. Maybe he’d want to go on a blind date…”

Fast forward to the end of November 2023. Thanks to our scheming friends, Natalie and Avery, Luke and I had exchanged numbers and planned to meet for our first date. I remember walking up towards the restaurant, feeling filled with fresh hope. And maybe a few nerves. Seeing some tall guy standing outside the door all by himself, I thought to myself, “Hmm, that’s probably Luke.” I was right. The next three hours are just a warm memory in my mind. Conversation came easily as we talked about our families, jobs, ski trips, and Luke’s explosive port-a-potty experience (ask him for the story if you want a great laugh). Leaving dinner to go for a walk, we were so disappointed when it started raining and we had to cut our date short!

Over the next month, we saw each other as often as we could. It was clear to both of us from the very beginning that we wanted to know the other person more. That we cared for them. On the last day of 2023, Luke asked me to be his girlfriend and things kept rolling quickly from there.

Meeting each others' families, going to church services with one another, and spending lots of quality time biking, hiking, surfing, or just being at the beach we got to know each other very well. We were even lucky enough to travel together to see my family in Lake Tahoe and Utah and to see “whale sharks” in Mexico with Luke’s family (another great story).

All along the way, there has been a resounding sense of peace for the both of us in being together. And, if there’s one thing that we’ve each learned since we’ve met, it’s that God, as our loving Father, truly delights in blessing His children. All we did was say yes to one simple question: “Do you want to go on a blind date?” And since then, it’s been such a sweet ride. But that’s how our God works, isn’t it? He honors our obedience and blesses us simply because He loves us. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with all of you, God’s incredible blessing to us, this coming September. Thank you for all your love and support along the way!