We first met during staff training at Camp CH-YO-CA in Calhoun, Louisiana. From our first hike when she decided to bare-hand a beached fish and throw him back into the lake, I knew she would be a good friend... and frankly a little bit more. What can I say? I like a girl in touch with nature!

Our friendship immediately took off. We spent that summer together growing in the Lord, gazing at the stars, trying to create random drink concoctions from the Country Store, and bossing around a bunch of children. I went home for a week during the summer, and during that week I told my mom I met a beautiful girl who worships Jesus on her knees and is incredible at working with kids. I told her she would make a great mother. By the end of the summer, I knew there was some chemistry between us... and so did every else apparently.

I spent the week before camp ended fasting and praying about whether to ask Marybeth on a date. After complete peace from the Lord, I wrote her a note and asked her out. Needless to say, it was the best first date I have ever had. A week later, her family drove over 6 hours to meet mine. We broke bread, laughed, and shared our stories over that time together before we began dating. After sharing our full testimonies, and taking time to fast and seek the Lord, we knew it was time to make it official.

That next month was full of fond memories of long travels and days getting to know one another, along with each others families. It was also in this time that we decided to set a "no kissing" boundary until the wedding. Although we had no inherent conviction against kissing, we felt that that act led us into further sexual immorality in past relationships that we did not want to compromise in this one. If this is our forever, it deserves a solid foundation, and therefore a solid defense against sin that could tear it apart.

She, I, and our families all felt rather quickly that this was mine and Marybeth's forever. So, after only a month of dating, I once again fasted and asked the Lord if she was the one! He answered with a resounding yes. I then approached her father. I'll never forget those words, "Corban, I don't know how to explain it, but I have a total peace."

So, two months after that, I proposed. Here we are, 10 months from when we met, 7 months from when we started dating, and 3 months before we get married. And here I am, the happiest man on earth. The Lord has been ever so faithful, and I pray that He shall continue to provide, protect, and watch over us every step of the way as we continue to walk faithfully alongside Him.

To God be the Glory

- James Corban Hammonds III

2/4/2025

When I got to camp this past summer, I was overwhelmed by the what ifs... "What if this is a mistake...What if I don't make friends... What if I do it all wrong... What if... What if... What if???" The Lord quickly diminished these anxious thoughts and fears by re-establishing old friendships and gifting me the quiet but steady friendship of Mr.Corban.

From the first week of staff training, He was always willing to dive into deep conversations (not superficial). We quickly talked about beliefs, fears, bits and pieces of our stories, and anything and everything in between. This friendship quickly bloomed into something more... I just wasn't quite ready for that.

My goal coming to camp was not to seek out a relationship. I wasn't even looking. I grew content in my singleness. I knew my purpose out at camp was to further the kingdom (not further my romantic endeavors). I focused on my purpose at camp all while my heart sparkles, camp crush, for Mr.Corban grew. Two friends saw right through my denial and called my bluff. They confronted my feelings, but I stood firm... I would not pursue anything until after camp.

As the end of the summer rolled around, I got super sick. I ignored it for 3.5 weeks and finally knew I had to go to the doctor. The diagnosis: Pneumonia, Bronchitis, and fluid in my lungs and ears. The doctor recommended I call it quits for the summer, but I just knew I had to go back, finish strong, and see Mr.Corban! I finished strong and had a miraculous healing (thanks to the Lord, antibiotics, and heart sparkles)!

After all the campers left, Corban had prepared a speech to confess his feelings. We both agreed that we don't date casually. We date for the purpose of marriage. Now this seems like a big jump, but nothing was certain. We held that door open for the Lord to give his approval or denial, but made our personal intentions very clear. We talked for about 3 hours that night, and the next day 7/20/2024, he had planned a date for us.

He showed up with a bouquet of babies breath and roses. Our date went perfect and I felt so at peace. We kept saying "It just feels right!"

The next morning, we went to church together and before I knew it, it was time for him to drive back to Texas. I had so many questions of "How will this work? Will we go on another date? Long distance? When will I see him again?..." The Lord was quick to answer all these fears by my family driving to meet his whole family a mere 5 days later. We valued community and seeking wise counsel greatly in those early dating days. WE GOT A BIG FAT YES FROM ALL FRIENDS, PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, SIBLINGS, CAMP FRIENDS, ETC.

We continued our pursuit by sharing our FULL testimonies... the good, the bad, and the ugly. It took a lot of vulnerability, but we knew that if we made it official we wanted to be fully known and fully loved.

26 days after our first date we made it official by handwritten notes.

There were many hard conversations within this season, and it definitely wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, but what got us through was trusting the Lord, respecting each other, and keeping a common goal in mind: it is not me against you, it is us against the problem. We never went to bed angry and did our best to communicate.

Some of my favorite memories within this season were: doing a service project together, intentional conversations, baking cookies, family game nights, movie nights, ice cream, and dancing together.

On 9/22/2024 Corban asked my parents for their blessing to have my hand in marriage. I'm not quite sure what all was said, but it took FOREVER. I had known the conversation was happening and what the response would be, but it was still nerve wracking. That night, we went on a drive to go watch the sunset and for the first time ever I said I love you. It had gone unspoken to him for over a month. Three words that held so much meaning I spoke to my friends only 1 week into Corban and I being official "I love him." Our actions thus far had spoken louder than those 3 words ever could. I had loved him since mid-summer, but now he knew, and for that I was grateful.

92 days from being official boyfriend/girlfriend, he was on one knee. My dream proposal, my dream man, my dream ring, and all the happy tears. The Lord has sure blessed us greatly Mr.James Corban Hammonds III.

... THE REST IS A BLUR, BUT THIS I KNOW, THE LORD SURE HAS BLESSED US.

- Marybeth Alise Cascio

2/5/2025