December 5th, 2014: Our journey together began!

December 3rd, 2016: We got engaged!

January 6th, 2018: Svensons Say I Do!

Never would I (Rachel) have imagined that I would be engaged at 21 and married at 22. I was never the girl that had her wedding Pinterest board picked out from age 12 or the girl that always fantasized about her wedding day. Growing up, I thought IF I get married, I'll be in my 30's, and we'll just elope on a beach somewhere. Well, it turns out God had MUCH bigger (and better!) plans in store, and in the process He changed my heart about the meaning of marriage & the desire to have a big wedding celebration.

Micah and I met over 3 years ago at a freshman Bible study through Cru, a Christian ministry on CU's campus. I thought Micah was cute but really knew nothing about him other than he was good looking. One evening, at a Cru outing in downtown Denver, I really began to notice Micah. I noticed his athleticism, his humility, his love for the outdoors, and- the thing that really melted my heart- his talent at playing the piano! So, after that night, I did what any millennial would do and sent him a (very awkward) Facebook message and asked if he wanted to go on a double date with me, my roommate, and her crush sometime. That date never ended up happening, but that Facebook message did spark the beginning of our interest in each other. For the next two weeks, Micah and I spent time together everyday, talking, going for long walks, & learning about each other.

For our very first "official" date, which happened to be on my birthday (poor guy!), Micah gave me the best gift I ever received- a wooden plaque with my favorite Bible verse carved into it, and the best part was that he made it himself. As soon as he handed that to me, I was sold- I knew this guy was a keeper.

Much later on, Micah explained that he had been hesitant to start dating me because he had sworn off dating in college. He wanted to focus on academics and time with his "bros" and asked God not to bring any girl into his life unless she was the "one". A couple months later, he received that Facebook message from me. Coincidence? I think not.

Fast forward three years, and now I'm the girl with the Pinterest board who daydreams about her wedding. Needless to say, God's plans are so much greater than anything we could have imagined, and I absolutely cannot wait to have a big party with family & friends to celebrate the beginning of our new life together!