Our story started at a Bible study community group last October. Wes had just returned from deployment when he joined the group through Risen Church. Summer Joy, also known as “SJ,” was looking for community amidst her hectic medical school schedule.

The first interaction SJ was not looking for a relationship, but Wes saw potential and wanted to get to know her more. Over the following weeks, Wes slowly got to know SJ. He thought he was subtle in his efforts to flirt, but everyone at Bible study knew he was interested. With the Christmas holidays looming, he decided to make a move. After a month of small talk, he finally mustered the courage to ask her for a date to the Botanical Gardens Christmas light show.

As they talked over burgers and strolled through the Christmas lights, they realized their shared biblical values, a common goal of pursuing Christ, and a deep love for Five Guys. Wes was instantly excited about the potential of the relationship and asked to see her the following day. SJ took the conservative approach and hesitated to date a new guy during her final semester in Norfolk. She was slightly passive and tried giving Wes an out, but he had already watched YouTube videos about the NRMP match. The more he fed her dinner after shifts, the more hooked she became.

Between January and August, SJ and Wes spent weekends playing Scrabble, eating Wes’s finest quesadillas, watching all the Mission Impossibles with a tub of ice cream, and taking long walks on the beach. They made a few trips to Tampa and Greensboro to spend time with each other’s families. In July, Wes came to Tampa and secretly asked for her father’s blessing to marry her.

In August, Wes and SJ would walk the beach every beautiful sunset they could. Once Wes had the ring, he was ready to propose, but he needed a clear sky. SJ was utterly unaware of the proposal as they made their usual walk down their favorite beach at Fort Story. As they walked, Wes began to ask SJ two questions: “Will you continue to follow Jesus with me?”, and “Will you let me lead you?”. Although somewhat confused, she said yes to both. As he dropped to one knee at a perfect 90-degree angle and pulled the ring out of his fanny pack he finally asked, “Will you marry me?”. She immediately cried, said yes and hugged him before he could even open the box. Leading Wes to ask one more question “Are you going to let me put this on your finger now?”

We could not be more excited to embark on the next phase of life and make a home together, wherever residency match takes us! Please pray for us as we learn to love one another as Christ loved the church, remain united in all the uncertainties of life and that through our marriage we have opportunities to bless others around us. Thank you for encouraging us in our relationship and we cannot wait to celebrate with each of you soon!

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