Childhood Friends

Mary and I met in our mid-teens. Our families shared mutual friends and often ended up at the same get-togethers. I have great memories of playing Hide and Seek, Capture the Flag, and having sword fights with homemade wooden swords or sticks. I wasn’t into girls back then, but I remember Mary jumping right in and having fun with everyone. Over the years, our families saw each other a couple of times a year.

Following God’s Call

At 19, Mary felt called by God to serve as a missionary in Nicaragua. She moved there for a year, then her family followed. I was pursuing God’s very different call, becoming the best knife maker I could and sharing that passion with others.

A Sister’s Heart

Fast forward to 2024. My sister Anna had been Facebook friends with Mary for years and thought we might hit it off. In August, she reached out to Mary, who said she’d be open to talking. A day or two later, I texted Mary to ask if I could call her and she said yes! I’m so grateful to Anna for helping us connect and to Mary for being open to it.

Building Our Relationship

Mary and I talked on the phone twice a week for the next four months, each call lasting three or four hours. We talked about everything, our past, future hopes, families, God, struggles, victories, even politics and conspiracies. We laughed a lot and became close friends, building a strong foundation.

Our First Date

In December, we spent our first day together on Christmas Day! It was rainy, so instead of a long hike at Alley Springs, we took a short walk, then had lunch under the pavilion. I brought cheeses, meats, crackers, and my new solo stove. We cooked and melted cheese over the fire, brie on bread was our favorite. Later, we visited Mary’s house, had her homemade yogurt with blueberries, then spent the evening with her family. I asked Mary for a hug before heading home and received the first of many more to come!

We Are Official

A few days later, Mary mentioned that a friend asked if we were “official.” That led to a conversation where we defined what that meant to us and on the next call, I asked if we could be official. She said yes! We started spending every weekend together, cycling, hiking, attending parties, eating out, and enjoying each other’s company. After about six weeks, Mary took me on a hike up to Balancing Rock. We sat and talked for hours, saw deer in a sunset field, and I finally told her, “I love you, Mary.” She said she loved me too and that she’d been feeling the same way for a while.

The Proposal

Even before we started dating, I half-joked with my family that I’d marry Mary. By month four, I was sure. But I waited to propose until month six, when Mr. Lee, returned to the U.S. so I could ask in person. We had lunch, and after hearing about my beliefs, he gave his enthusiastic blessing!

That evening, I took Mary to Balancing Rock without telling her the plan. I scattered rose petals in the car, packed food similar to our first date, and hauled a heavy duffel, cooler, and backpack, which surprisingly didn’t raise suspicion. At the top, we ate, relaxed, and as the sun set, I asked her to put on a blindfold. While she waited, I set up 132 feet of fairy lights, 60 flickering candles and 300 glowsticks! I read Mary notes I’d written about her, marriage and love every few minutes while I was setting up lights. Finally, I took off the blindfold, led her to the blanket, knelt down, and asked her to be my wife. She said, “Of course I will!” We hugged long and hard, soaking in the moment.

Hopes and Prayers for the Future

I give full credit to God for bringing us together in His perfect timing. Mary is the greatest blessing in my life, second only to Christ’s sacrifice for me.

We pray for our marriage to reflect Christ’s covenant with His Church, a loving, grace-filled union. We hope to build a warm, welcoming home centered on Christ. We know we’ll stumble, but with God’s help, we’ll walk this life together, hand in hand, heaven-bound together.

Dear friend or family member, thank you for reading our story! I'd like to ask you for something, if you would, please pray for us:

~That we would put aside selfishness

~That we would rely on God

~That we would communicate well

~That we’d be quick to forgive

~That our marriage would be strong, united, and point others to Christ