My love story with Mackenzie feels nothing short of God-ordained. It was too intentional and perfectly aligned to be anything but His doing. Through this relationship, God has shown me more of His love and His complete control over every detail of my life. I give Him all the glory and praise for His goodness. My prayer is that Mackenzie and I continue to use our relationship to glorify Him for the rest of our lives.

It all began the summer before college. Mackenzie was on summer staff for Lighthouse Family Retreat, and I served for a few weeks throughout the summer. During my second week there, I arrived early with my mom to help set up — but then COVID hit and shut everything down. Ironically, that disruption ended up being one of the biggest blessings in my life. Because the current retreat was canceled, volunteers had more free time and got to hang out with the summer staff — and that’s when I really talked to Mackenzie for the first time.

I wasn’t looking for a girlfriend that day, much less my future wife — BUT GOD had other plans. The more we talked, the more I noticed how special she was. She loved people so boldly, was incredibly genuine, and had this ease and warmth about her. Something just felt different, though I tried to stay focused on why I was there: to serve families.

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something special between us. By the end of the week, I started praying about the possibility of a relationship, even though we were about to start college 3.5 hours apart. I felt a deep peace about it —which, for me, was a big deal. Just as I was looking for a way to get her number, she came up to me and asked for mine so she could send a photo of her and my family. So yes, technically she got my number first — but I was definitely going to ask for hers!

We started talking right after camp, and it just clicked. Not long after, she planned a visit to pick up my sister from her first day of school (they had grown really close during the summer). She asked if I’d be around, but I had my first day of training at Chick-fil-A and didn’t think I could see her. I prayed, “God, if this is Your will, make a way. If she’s the one You have for me, open the door.”

Within an hour, I got a text from my trainer saying something had come up and they had to reschedule my training. That moment felt like one of the clearest answered prayers I’ve ever experienced. It gave me so much peace and confidence about moving forward with this relationship.

That day was incredible, and by the end of it, I knew I wanted to pursue her. We started dating soon after — and the rest is history.

Long-distance hasn’t been easy, but it’s made us stronger. We got to fall in love with each other’s hearts states apart and invest deeply in our own communities before building a life together. Now, I’m so excited and full of hope for what’s ahead in marriage — and for the fruit we’ll get to see from a relationship that’s been centered on God from the start!

M&S

Wedding Day