"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life."

Psalm 23:6

Life has not taken the expected path for either of us. But we trust in a God who makes beauty from brokenness, turns sadness into joy, and heals deep wounds.

Her: from the mountains of West Virigina

Me: from the edge of a cornfield in Indiana

Her: a cheerleader, homecoming queen and singer

Me: a band geek, math geek and puzzle geek

Both: raised in church by parents who loved us so much

Both: Christian college students

Both: parents of two amazing kids

Both: in-home separated for an extended time, divorced in 2019

Both: spent that time leaning into God for healing and to become a better version of ourselves

Both: introduced by a mutual friend, Jennifer Rogers, in 2020

In what could have been an epically bad move, I almost passed on that offer of an introduction. But I felt God prompt, "Don't say no." She decided she would not marry again, only to realize later she hadn't asked God what he might have in mind.

I called, and we talked for 3 hours. I thought up a lame excuse to call again the next night, and we talked for another 3 hours. Over the next month, we talked late into the night many times, sharing our life stories, our hurts, failures, and insecurities. Faults that I thought would take months to build the trust and the courage to admit were confessed in days. We knew we were safe with each other.

Finally we couldn't hold to COVID's social distancing policy any longer. We chose Sept 17th, and I picked The Works in Loveland. Our first date was set: pizza and a walk on the Loveland Bike Trail. We ended with a long conversation at Nisbet Ampitheater, where I prayed over her and made her cry. :)

Would you believe that for our second date, she took me to a friend's wedding? We have done a poor job of sticking to the socially accepted rules for dating. And it worked anyway!

The following months and years have brought all kinds of adventures: walks in parks and the woods, trying new restaurants, meeting each other's families and friends, Reds games, WVU football games, and so much more. I couldn't guess the number of miles we have driven together, but I have loved every one of them.

Before we met, God had walked with us through painful days and had begun His work of restoration. By bringing us together, His healing work continued. Imperfections were met with grace instead of rejection and shame. Fears lost their hold. Forgiveness birthed new freedoms. Love took root in our hearts that were once parched, but God made it into good soil, and joy grew up from it. I don't know which I enjoy more: the blessings she pours into my life or getting to deliver blessings into hers.

Praise be to God for his incredible blessings!

We were engaged on Saturday, 10.21.2023 at sunset, at the edge of a cliff on Beauty Mountain in West Virgina. And I've been told a number of times, it's about time.

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