"Is she hitting me?" Jacob wondered as Miranda's arm accidentally flailed against his shoulder for what seemed like the third time, as they strolled through the beautiful paths of Longwood Gardens. “He ordered a large ice cream cone for breakfast?” Miranda thought earlier that day, shortly after they left the adoration chapel to kick off their very first in-person date.

In all seriousness, Jacob and Miranda met in the increasingly practical avenue of online dating. It was about 4 weeks after their initial online conversation that Jacob made his first journey from his home in Charlottesville, VA to pick up Miranda for their first date in Coatesville, PA. Little did he know that he had arrived at the wrong house! As the minutes drew closer to the agreed-upon arrival time, Miranda looked out her front window and realized the unmistakably 6’7’’ visitor had driven down her next-door neighbor’s shorter driveway. Not wanting to reveal that she was watching him, Miranda decided to text, “Our driveway is the really long one, in case you’re having trouble finding it.” From there, Jacob and Miranda had a marathon first date from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day. Activities included adoration, a visit to the gardens, lunch, a wine tasting, swing dancing, and yes, a few unintentional arm punches and ice cream for breakfast.

Seven months later, Jacob proposed to Miranda in that same adoration chapel where they began their very first date. They feel extremely blessed to have started the next chapter of their lives in the presence of the Lord.

Miranda and Jacob are very grateful that the Lord brought them together. They have enjoyed many hiking, swing dancing, and cooking dates, and are looking forward to the adventure of married life. They will begin their new life together in Charlottesville, VA, where Jacob is a pathologist, and Miranda will start her graduate studies at the University of Virginia for speech-language pathology. They credit their relationship success to the grace of God and the wonderful support of their friends and family.

Registry