December 14th, 2022

Nate and Kaila weren't purposefully looking for a spouse on Instagram. I mean, Instagram? Come on. Most people don't hear stories of couples who met on Instagram and get married. Nate and Kaila both desired to be married one day and had prayed for their future spouse through the years but were not intentionally looking for someone at that time- they weren't even on dating apps.

A few days before the 14th Nate had commented on one of Kaila's Instagram reels that she had posted on her podcast Instagram page "Convos with Kaila." Kaila didn't even know this guy had followed her but when she saw this "cute guy's" instagram profile picture she had an inclination to reach out. So on December 14th, 2022 Kaila "slid into the DM's" saying "Weird question, are you from Colorado? I feel like I recognize you from somewhere." Nate knew she didn't know him but started a conversation with her anyways. They talked about Jesus and mission trips, roasted each other on being a skier and snowboarder, and shared what they had in common. They talked for two days and then took a break since Nate thought he might be going out with another girl that a friend was setting him up with and wanted to be respectful to Kaila (huge green flag for her). Spoiler: he didn't go out with the girl. He just wanted to talk to Kaila. On January 1st 2023 he reached out again and asked if they could pick up the conversation. Kaila had started a dating fast in October and now was on the "no talking to guys" part of the fast. Even though things felt different with this guy, she wanted to obey the Lord. She was honest with Nate about the fast when he asked to meet face to face on Zoom.

From January to March he respected Kaila's boundaries by not talking to her. March 27th Kaila reached out after her fast ended and on March 28th they had their first zoom call. They quickly relaized after that that there was something unique and special here. Nate asked to come meet Kaila in person in Colorado. They both met each other's parents over zoom before that and then Nate came out.

It was so bizarre to meet on Instagram and then to meet in the airport for the first time. There were some awkward laughs as they both felt nervous but the days that came to follow were so sweet. They both felt so comfortable around each other and it felt like they knew each other longer than they had. God was working in his miraculous way with his perfect timing in all of it.

Kaila flew out to Pennsylvania 5 days later. She instantly clicked with his family (just as he had done with hers) and they became official on May 7th. The dating period was a joy as they continued getting to know each other and they quickly fell in love. On their two month anniversary they started talking about marriage and where they saw their relationship going. That’s when they shared where the Lord was leading them and they prayed about walking towards marriage as they continued to grow as a couple for the Kingdom. A prayer Kaila prayed every day was this: “Lord, if this relationship gets to a point where it doesn’t honor you and we aren’t serving the Kingdom better together than we are apart then I don’t want it.” It was very evident that the Lord most likely would not take it away but instead continue leading it towards marriage.

In August, Nate asked Kaila's parents for their blessing to marry her and October 20th, 2023 in Pennsylvania he proposed and Kaila said yes!

The Lord's timing is perfect. Nate and Kaila look back and think if they had met each other any sooner, they wouldn't have been ready to embark on the journey God had for them. Even if we don't always understand His ways, we can always trust His character. He always has the best plan and timing.