Sam and I went to middle school together. His mom was my English teacher and his dad volunteered at youth group. I knew Sam enough to be “friends” but I didn’t know his story. I saw his trips and memoirs on social media. Sam’s heart for the Lord was evident. He oriented his whole life chasing adventure and seeking the Lord while doing it- I wanted to know his story.

We played phone tag for three years trying to get coffee- he was always in Germany, France, or Iceland, nothing out of the ordinary for him.

Sam texted me in February, he was driving through Clemson. I asked him what the Lord was teaching him- I’m not one for small talk. I was home that April and tried once again, he was finally in Virginia.

We got coffee and talked for two hours. Sam had a joy unlike anyone else. We talked about the Lord and what we were learning. I told my mom he was the kind of guy I wanted to be with.

He texted me two days later that he had been thinking about our time together and wanted to keep talking- I had butterflies. I liked talking to him- but you think I was going to tell him that? Heck no. Back to South Carolina I went.

He sent me a podcast and we talked for two hours. I would text him questions and he made me wait for a call to hear his thoughts. Our conversations weren’t like others I had before. He was passionate about building the church and loving people while doing it. Sam kept asking when I would be home- I knew where this was going. I told him I wasn’t sure I might stay in SC, move home, who knew. Then he mailed me sunflowers and I froze in the kitchen. He asked me on a date and I said yes, back to Virginia two months later.

End of May we watched the sunrise and got coffee. In the afternoon he picked me up for pickleball and dinner. Sam saw right through any wall or distance I put between us. He wouldn’t settle for half-hearted answers or my safe-guarding. He was pursuing me and wanted to know me deeply. I ended the night with a happy- this was fun, thanks!

Sam kept calling. He asked when we were going on another date and I was testing him. I told him I wanted to marry a pastor and he told me he didn't want to be a pastor- still didn't scare him away. End of July I drove to Hatteras for our second date. Then again a few days later- I liked him okay. After that weekend I told him we couldn’t talk for a week. I needed to figure out if I was all in.

To no surprise I missed him and wrote him letters every day. I saw him that Friday and had butterflies. I met more of his people, he drove me in his motorcycle, and I held his hand. One small step for Sam, one giant leap for mankind. He moved home at the end of the summer and asked me to be his girlfriend. Annndddddd I told him I loved him two days later.

Later we were surfing and I asked him “Do you think the Lord will tell you when you should propose to me or do you think you’ll just know?” I was a slow warm but BLAZING after.

Late January we watched the sunrise, talked for hours at coffee (familiar right). He brought sunflowers to my door, we went to the beach and he got down on one knee. My body shook- the man said March and I was (not so patiently) waiting for March!!

I sobbed and said yes. Sam is the mountain I will never summit. He is the iron that sharpens my soul, always loving and encouraging me towards the cross.

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