They say that storybook romance isn’t real, that it’s just a fantasy or fate. They say that love at first sight doesn’t really happen. But I know that isn’t true. From the very start, I know that God had a hand in our meeting. It wasn’t a coincidence that I didn’t have a partner for the next square dance and was in the vicinity among the two hundred other dancers. It wasn’t fate that Joe had driven two hours one way with a group of friends—four guys, three girls—for his first ever square dance at Malabar Farm. In fact, when he first talked to me, I didn’t even hear him and started walking in the opposite direction. But God had a different plan and wouldn’t let Joe accept defeat. He asked me to dance and we ended up dancing the rest of the night together. He drove down the next month, both of us hoping the other would be there again. That night he asked for my number and wasted no time in setting up a date. I noticed that our values seemed to align and was intrigued to know more. I had gone on dates with other guys before but hadn't found someone as intentional in his questions as Joe. I was impressed by the subtle ways he included important matters in everyday conversation so that it felt like the most natural thing in the world when we discussed hard or controversial topics. Best of all, I liked his answers too! Frequent phone conversations made me realize that I enjoyed listening to his thoughts on everything, great and small. However, I had quite the shock in October when, after he’d been my boyfriend for just two short months, Joe told me that he was pretty sure that I was the one he wanted to make his wife someday … and that he had been pretty sure of this since our second date. I was taken aback by such a confession. I wasn’t ready to accept the sweet compliments of a man until I had first settled the awkward but burning questions on my heart. For better or worse, I tried my best to keep from becoming emotionally attached because, though I respected his values and beliefs, I wanted to see how he lived them out long term. I was careful to observe his character and to see how he reacted under pressure or in less than ideal circumstances. Most of all though, I wanted to see if his commitment to the Lord was only weekly or occasional or if living for God was the very heartbeat of his life. I spent much time in prayer and meanwhile enjoyed some meaningful and regular conversations with him as we worked through a chronological Scripture reading plan. I felt like God had shown me what I needed to see, that Joe was a man I could trust to lead a future family well, someone who would seek out opportunities to serve others, and someone to whom I could entrust my heart. It was a sleepless yet joyous night in February when I finally realized this, and I was overcome by the wonderful knowledge that I could finally open my heart to this man and begin to love him. The next morning, Joe came to visit me and brought along candy hearts for Valentine’s Day that said ‘Be mine’ and ‘I love you’. (I found out later that he had gone through four boxes of candy hearts to find those messages!) My heart was full when I could say “I love you” back to him and rest in the wonder and newness of it all. Since then, we have grown even closer together as we dream of the future and share about the special moments of everyday life. I can’t imagine anyone else with whom I’d want to spend my life and share those moments. Like a storybook, I know there will be ups and downs, peaks and valleys. But every good story is worth seeing through to the end. As long as Jesus remains first and foremost in our lives, Joe and I will inevitably grow closer together and become strong in our marriage. And that is how I know how our story will end, like every good story should….

A & J