In December 2024, I decided to go work on final papers at the Center for Christianity and Scholarship near Duke's East Campus. When I walked upstairs to explore the space, I noticed two things: the gentleman across the room was cute, and the table he occupied was not. I was there to be aesthetically pleased by my study space, not by a man, so I returned to the (much nicer) table downstairs.

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A little while later, that gentleman also came downstairs with a couple other guys. While the other folks sat at the opposite end of the table, Ben sat by me. We can't remember who initiated the conversation (I might have offered an obligatory hello), but we do remember talking for a couple hours and sharing outlines of our stories. Ben showed me his poetry, asked about my hobbies (which include walks), and also asked whether I attended morning prayer at Duke Divinity School. I did attend prayer, a detail of which Ben took note as he remarked that he'd been intending for a while to attend prayer, but hadn't made it yet. Eventually, Ben had to move to another room for a Zoom call, and when my time came to leave, I had a choice to make. Would I follow up at all? I contemplated various options, but ultimately decided the ball was in his court. December passed, and I didn't see him again.

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January came, and ... Ben started coming to morning prayer. For six or so weeks, our interaction consisted of snippets of small talk in group settings after prayer, which was fine by me. I suspected he might be interested in me, but I didn't feel ready to reciprocate. So when he got my number at the end of February and invited me to go on a walk sometime, I panicked, called my mother, and told her, "Someone asked me on a date, and I'm not going to go." Eventually, my mom talked me into giving Ben a chance, and I agreed to go on a walk with him the following Saturday, March 1.

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When we set out for that walk along the Brumley trail, I quickly discovered an inner peace I couldn't explain. Ben was gentle and grounding and gracious, and I felt safe in his presence. I agreed to see him again, and as we spent copious time together over the next several days (allegedly studying, but mostly talking), I found my heart toward him changing at a startling pace. When he asked me, just days after our first date, if I would be his girlfriend, my yes was a no-brainer.

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Since then, there's been such a deep well of joy in the process of discovering how wise and kind and faithful and gentle Ben is. The Lord has been good to us, as God always is, and I'm excited to see how God will continue to be at work in us and through us for the rest of our lives.

L&B

Wedding Day