As with most stories the LORD writes, ours began with a promise — a promise made a few years ago.

That season was a whole lot of space. Just the LORD and I in a little town in Oklahoma. Everyone had their own battles to fight. I met the LORD there.

In that context of contented singleness lol... I (Zac) spent Independence Day weekend in Oklahoma with Felicia, Hannah, Josiah, and of course...Kenzie. For the longest time, Kenzie really was just Hannah's friend to me. Kenz and I had lots of fun, and I felt this draw to her I couldn't really describe or control.

She helped me decorate the room I'd just moved into while Hannah and Josiah were on a date. She conveniently spelled her name on my wall with the glow-in-the-dark stars I'd entrusted to her. Truly a ten-talent woman.

So, as one does, I asked the LORD to free me from this, haha. I was actually at my sister Hannah's house in Norman when I asked Him. His response has redefined the past few years of our lives.

"...you're meant to be with her. What's next is not for you to know. Just simply obey. I'll do the rest, as I always have..."

My head was spinning after hearing this. Then and now, I'm learning... The LORD really does give good gifts!

The weekend was over and I was in the same place as before. Alone in my room, on my bed. Just the LORD and I. Although now, I couldn't get her out of my head! In the following weeks and months I asked the LORD many times about this promise He'd made. Through different seasons, levels of health and busyness, He always affirmed the promise He'd made to me. I held it in my heart with hope.

As time went on, we saw each other more and more frequently at family events. My heart only grew more and more fond of her. She only had just begun considering the possibility of us being in relationship, after a conversation between her and my sister Hannah. My sister had a huge part to play in the beginning of our relationship, and to her, I am grateful.

Even more time passed; seasons changed. I wanted to pursue her, and knew in time that I would. My heart was nearly ready to be honest with her. Sadly, I had already committed to six months of YWAM. The LORD told me clear as day: "Hold her in your heart, don't forget her..." He also told me to write her an album with all the feelings I had swirling around in my chest. I'm still writing that album today. At this point we talked for about five minutes... a month. Needless to say, I couldn't tell if I was crazy or really hearing God. I'm learning as time goes on.. that's normal in discipleship.

The summer before was filled with waiting, memories with my Dad, and lots of fishing... But everything shifted when Fall came. At some point in November, Kenzie drove up to Oklahoma. She came to visit my sister, Felicia, who was in OU at the time. One of the last nights, I was invited to hang out with them. We had Thai food and played card games—a combination Kenz and I still enjoy to this day. I wrote another song to Kenz on the way home. God has done this so faithfully in our relationship. He provides and protects safe little bubbles for Kenz and I to grow closer. It's felt simple in a lot of ways. Not fighting uphill, but walking at the pace of love, with the wind to our backs.

December had finally come, and with it UPPERROOM's annual "End of Year" conference in Texas. I was expectant for the LORD to bring perspective and excited to see my family, so when Kenzie told me over the phone that she was coming as well, it was truly just a bonus for me. This is undoubtedly where things shifted for us.

Things were all so different. She began looking at me in a new way. She looked with eyes that said something. That something, we both knew, had to wait. But for how long? Only the LORD knew at the time. Kenz had also just dyed her hair copper and red, something that will always remind me of that season. It was day-to-day how awkward we were, haha! I think I was more chill internally than her, but I'm also pretty biased. I didn't bring up dating her that weekend. It didn't feel like the time yet. But we were both dying to just have that conversation out of the way.

At some point, I had to make a choice. I felt things in my heart escalating. I really liked Kenz and wanted to pursue her, but it all seemed far-fetched. So, as I've learned is my best course of action by now, I asked God. He told me very simply—through the mouths of mentors, pastors, and family—that it was time to do the scary thing.

It was time to be honest. I was terrified.

I didn't see Kenz the way I do now. Looking back, I really could've just driven down to Dallas, and I wish I had. Thankfully, though, the LORD shows up in our weakness and provides grace for His will to be accomplished. On January 16th, two weeks after EOY, Kenz texted me, asking for me to tell her where I was at concerning "us."

In all the LORD had said, I knew what obedience was. That night, after a lot of nerves, I asked Kenz to be my girlfriend—and she said yes! God truly is kind to me.

All that was quite a while ago. A lot has changed since then. Grief, seasons, and homes have all come and gone. YWAM and six months of long distance stretched us greatly. Kenz discovered—somewhat sorrowfully—that I am, in fact, a car guy. I learned, over many failed attempts, how to bond over hypotheticals in the car, like buying a passing home that isn't for sale, while I'm tired and hungry.

Okay, but seriously... here are a few things we've learned along the way.

First, I'll say that feelings are not as much as the world has made them out to be. Feelings cannot fill. Feelings cannot satisfy. Feelings cannot sustain. Feelings are valuable and from the LORD, but they are no master.

I've found that feelings come and go, but the word of the LORD remains the same.

There are times when we've both found ourselves empty, hurt, and completely disconnected. Oftentimes the enemy—knowing the wounds of our hearts—will try to make us trigger those in each other. In the depths of those emotions, it's the Word of the LORD that sustains and leads our relationship. Our rock bottom cannot become giving up. Because of what He's said and done, rock bottom means waiting on Him to fulfill a promise. It doesn't make it easy, but there's life and peace in that place with Him.

Another thing we’ve learned is our “why.”

God’s steadfast, covenant love operates so differently from the world’s love. The world negotiates out of fear; the LORD gives freely and extravagantly. The world withholds at the first sign of lack; the LORD is faithful even when betrayed. It feels awkward and unnatural to us—and that’s because it is.

I’ve found who Kenzie is to be worth loving.

That gets to dictate how I love her. That’s my “why.” I’m confident Kenz would say the same, in her own words. We’re far from perfect, but we’re learning—over time—what real love looks like: that we would endure, hope, and believe all things because we see the other person as valuable, and we have love to give. Not withholding from lack, but giving from a full and secure portion. (Below is just a cute picture of Kenz... how could I stay mad at that face?)

Lastly, we’ve learned and relearned the value of the simple gospel. Christ—knowing that all our sins, shortcomings, failures, sickness, and disease would be cast on Him—willingly went to the cross. He endured simply because He found us worth loving. Worth giving His life for.

Who are we to disagree with Christ’s appraisal of our value?

Kenz has offered me grace more times than I can count—and as far as I know (lol), she's not keeping a secret record. Soon after returning from Kona, I became overwhelmed by my to-do list. I stayed up late each night, stressed and making thousands of plans for how I'd get everything done. I knew the LORD was asking me to slow down and rest, but I was terrified I wouldn't finish it all. I continued to stay up. I walked in unbelief for a time. The LORD convicted me that my independence was sinful, and I could see how it kept me from loving Kenz well. I came to her and apologized, and I remember her so graciously listening and releasing me, even though it had cost her something. This is a small example, but the principle is the same: Without the blood of Christ, we wouldn't make it far at all. Our desire and aim is that our marriage would reflect and reveal Christ in every way.

We're so honored and excited to have you witness and celebrate the covenant we'll be making. We hope our wedding is simply a glimpse of the wedding day to come.

Maranatha! Come, LORD!

Zachary did a fantastic job of telling you howww we ended up dating but didn't share how we got engaged so I thought I would just add that in. Over the year and a half after we started dating we started long distance, Zac in Oklahoma me in Dallas, then Zac in Euless me in Dallas, then 6 months of the longest long distance while Zac did YWAM, then Dallas and Dallas to another move that put me 45 minutes outside of Dallas. In the last month we have made the move to Santa Cruz, CA where we officially live about 100 yards walking distance from each other. All of that to say, in all the moves and change and distance the Lord has been so faithful to grow us and teach us deeper what it looks like to love Him and each other deeply. Dating Zac has been one of the kindest things from the Lord, he is kind and gentle, has a heart of integrity and deep passion for the Lord. Walking through this journey together in all the ups and downs has been a gift because I've gotten to do it with my best friend.

Okay now to June 10th, the day we got engaged. At this point I knew we were getting engaged soon but I didn't know when. I had gotten a dress the weekend before and Zac very casually said, "we should go out to dinner Tuesday so you can wear your new dress!". Now this was not uncommon for him to do so I didn't think much of it but for some reason I felt the desire to get alllll ready for dinner. Zac showed up to picked me up and took me to a steak house for dinner. Again you would think at this point I would be thinking, "maybe the nice dinner and outfits means he's going to propose" but no, no thoughts about that. After dinner we headed for what I thought was dessert but we drove by my school where I had just moved away from a month prior and where we had spent so much time falling in love and doing life together. I waved at the school and said, "Hi DTS" and Zac said, "We should stop and say hi, we can reminisce." So we parking and started walking toward my old building, it was finally at this point that I realized what was happening. We stopped at the same spot that Zac has kissed me for the first time except this time he was asking to spend the rest of his life with me. I said "yes" of course and the photographer invited us to take some pictures on the other side of campus. We walked over and to my surprise all my friends and Zac's family were there with a whole party set up for us! It was such a fun and sweet celebration with everyone and I was so impressed with all of Zac's planning skills.

All to say, a month later we made the move to California and are eagerly waiting for this day to come when we get to make covenant in front of all of you!