Ours is my favorite story to tell — because when we look at all the details, we can clearly see how the Lord orchestrated every step to bring us together. Our prayer as you read this is that you see God’s faithfulness through our journey and that He receives all the glory.

John and I actually grew up only about fifteen minutes apart. Being from a small town, we always knew of each other, but our paths didn’t really cross until we were about fifteen. One afternoon, my mom and grandmother picked me up from volleyball practice and brought me home, where John’s uncle happened to be doing some work on our stairs — and John just so happened to be there too. It was a quick interaction, but one I still remember.

Over the years, we ran into each other here and there — at prom, at church, around the neighborhood — but it wasn’t until March of 2022 that God really brought our stories together. I had a close group of friends from youth group, and we all decided to go to Winter Jam. One of those friends happened to be friends with John and invited him along. That night, John and I ended up sitting next to each other — talking, laughing, and getting to know one another.

From that night on, our group was inseparable. We spent the next several months — all spring and summer — doing everything together. During that time, John and I built a friendship that we’ll always be grateful for, because we truly believe that a strong friendship is the foundation of any lasting relationship.

As August approached and John prepared to leave for his freshman year of college — while I was getting ready to start my senior year of high school — we both began to sense our friendship had grown into something more. Still, the timing didn’t seem to make sense. We were in two different seasons of life. Before he left, our friend group planned a trip together, and it was during that trip that the Lord made it so clear that He had crossed our paths for a reason much greater than we could have imagined.

We spent every waking moment together on that trip, and soon after we got home, John asked me on our first date. Over dinner, we talked honestly about what this would mean — the distance, the timing, and the challenges ahead. We decided to take it one step at a time and to pray carefully through whatever God was calling us to.

About a month later, we made it official and started dating. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t have questions — Why now, Lord? How could this work with us in such different places in life? But through all the uncertainty, we both felt a peace that could only come from God — a peace that surpassed all understanding, even our own.

Over the next three years, that peace turned into the sweetest blessing. We grew in ways we never expected. We learned forgiveness, patience, and how to love each other well even from miles apart. We cherished every weekend visit, every road trip, and every FaceTime call that kept us connected.

The distance wasn’t easy — it was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done — but we wouldn’t change it for anything. It shaped us, strengthened us, and prepared us for this next season. Along the way, we found incredible friendships, church communities that poured into us, and a deeper understanding of God’s faithfulness.

Now, as we look forward to marriage, we can’t help but feel overwhelming gratitude. In just a few short months, the distance that once defined our story will be gone — and God will bring us together as one.

We cannot wait to celebrate this new chapter surrounded by all the people who have encouraged, supported, and loved us along the way. Thank you for being part of our story. We can’t wait to see you all at Hunt Chapel!

S&J

Wedding Day

1:30 PM–2:15 PM

Ceremony

2:15 PM–5:30 PM

Reception