to have & to hold

Anastasia and Gabriel first met in 2021 when working at Triple R Ranch together. For the next two summers, the two rarely ever exchanged more than a simple, “hello” in passing. In 2022, Gabriel became close with some of Anna’s friends, which meant they occasionally ended up in the same groups. Even then, their conversations were rare, and they remained acquaintances. Fast forward to early 2023, both Anna and Gabe decided they would not be returning to Triple R- Gabe was going to start a full time job and Anna was focusing on school. However, a few months later, God made it clear that he had other plans for them. On the exact same day, Gabriel and Anastasia- unknowing to each other- messaged their friend/manager, Noah telling him that they would be returning that summer after all. Despite opposition from friends and family on both sides, Gabe and Anna decided to trust God’s calling. When the two saw each other for the first time that summer, they exchanged their typical “hello” and went their separate ways, but something was different. From that point on, the two of them kept being placed together. Whether it was cleaning storage sheds or working on various tasks around camp, they always ended up on the same projects. At first, Anna didn’t think much of it. She had no feelings for Gabriel—after all, he had dated her best friend, and she wasn’t about to be "that girl." But as time went on, the similarities between them became undeniable. From small things like both playing trumpet and having the same password to bigger coincidences like having the exact same goals and ideas for their future, they knew that something was there. As they continued talking and sharing things about themselves, they came to realize that being with each other was entirely effortless. However, unknown to Gabe, Anna had just prayed a few weeks back, surrendering any thought or desire for a relationship to God. So, finding out why God sent her to Triple R was her goal- dating Gabriel wasn’t even on her radar. Little did she know, he was the reason. One night, after realizing that there may be potential, Anna prayed to God about the next steps. She specifically told God, “take away any chances of dating Gabriel, unless I am going to marry him.” The next day, Anna woke up to a lengthy message she had sent Gabriel explaining to him that she was going to marry him one day. Little did Gabe know, Anna went to bed early that night and had no recollection of ever sending that message. That same day, she called her mom to tell her that she met a boy and that she thought he was the one. She had never talked to her mom about liking anyone before—especially not before knowing how the other person felt—but something about this was different. For the rest of the summer, Gabriel and Anna spent every moment they could together. Through prayer and listening for God’s direction, their bond deepened. Then, on June 24, they spent the day sharing laughs over a few surprises that caught them both off guard. Then Gabriel took Anna to the top of a parking garage, where they looked out over the city. It was there that he asked her to- not be his girlfriend- but to be his future wife. Since that day, every moment together has felt like something out of a movie. Though they are alike in so many ways, their differences complement each other perfectly, creating a love that feels both effortless and meant to be.