We both grew up going to Granger Community Church, being heavily involved in the youth group there, that's where our friendship began. I (Zoe) can remember Aaron being this crazy, wild, loud kid, and surprise he still is that way. He was just someone I always talked to. Around 8th grade is when we really started to develop this intimate friendship, unlike anything either of us had ever experienced before. Once High school started, two awkward freshmen suddenly decided they had feelings for one another. After I (Aaron) recognized my feelings for Zoe I decided I was gonna start putting effort into this and make it official. The freshman winter dance rolls around and I (Aaron) ask her to go with me. Before class, we were walking and he (Aaron) pulls out a white rose from his black zip up and pops the question. After the dance I (Aaron) wanted to ask her out, but I she broke my heart and ran away. (Zoe) After the dance Aaron started to get clingy and that freaked me out so I ditched him. For the next few years we didn't talk, weren't really friends, this "relationship" was just a skeleton in our closets. Senior year rolls around, all of our friends from youth were going to prom in a group, last minute Aaron asked me (Zoe) if I wanted to just go. I said yes, but told him I was going to do my own thing all night. I ditched him once I got there and was a horrible date. I know, I'm sorry Kim. The next year I (Zoe) ran off to play lacrosse in Tennessee and Aaron took a year long internship at GCC. Mid way through my(Zoe) year at school I struggled mentally and physically, I was isolated and alone. I came home for winter break needing a friend, so I reached out to Aaron to see if we could meet. Little did either of us know that God would use that as an open door for a beautiful friendship to begin growing once again. Covid arrives and i'm sent home, during that time I really dove into my relationship with the Lord and began pursuing him. Aaron an I's relationship really had the chance to begin forming again too. We would hang out, but I had the intention on making it blatantly clear this was platonic. I (Aaron) convinced her to start working at camp with me that summer. We would go on night walks every so often, (Zoe) Aaron really became the person I would go to when I was struggling, needed answers, advice or just someone to listen. I wanted it platonic but the Lord began highlighting to me qualities that Aaron had that I deeply desired in a husband. Humility, Leadership, Patience, Control, Wise, Kind, Loving, ect. I found myself having those freshman ~feelings~ all over again. (Aaron) Nearing the end of camp we started hanging out more frequently. On the first night after camp had ended we were hanging out late into the night and I just couldn't help myself any longer and kissed her. Zoe said I went through the 7 stages of grief in 5 minutes, but that led into this conversation of, okay we have feelings for each other, let's spend some time to seek the Lord on this. Later we came together and felt like the Lord had grace for this relationship to begin, so we did. From that point forward the relationship had its ups and downs, a rollercoaster of trying to learn, love and understand one another. We took a break and came back together, I (Aaron) really had to fight for her. But it's all been worth it. If it wasn't her, it wouldn't be anyone.

Weekend Adventures are something that we both love to do during the summer. I (Zoe) was 75% sure every time we went somewhere that it would happen. Aaron defiantly thought he had me fooled, but what gave him away was the concern for his hair, if he smelled good, and his clothes. My intuition knew it was going to happen, but I didn't know exactly when. I (Aaron) told her we were going to go on a day trip a few days before, she had a pretty stressful week, so I told her I wanted to get off camp and take a breather. Just south of Ludington there are these massive bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan call PeterPan land, a location hard to find unless you knew what you were looking for. The day came and it was a beautiful Michigan summer day. Once at the dunes we did our classic exploring all the time I was looking for the perfect spot, unfortunately I had forgot the SD card for the camera, and I forgot a hammock so we could sit, so I was running out of things to do to stall time. Finally, I found a spot tucked away in some trees right on the edge of the bluff. We sat down on the edge to enjoy the view and talk about life. Once I had built up the courage I got up while she was looking at the water and distracted, I got down on one knee, pulled out the ring from my back pocket and said her name. She turned, I asked her to marry me and said "NO, are you serious, let me stand you stupid IDOT. Wait are you sure, are you really sure" a million times then said "uhhh Yeah!". I wouldn't have expected anything different. After we sat together for little bit, talking and calming the nerves, in awe of the moment we were in. Later she grabbed a used Busch beer can on the ground and collected the sand from where I nelt for keepsake.

12/5/22 Prayers for housing to open up in Reed city within our budget and a well paying job for Zoe in that area. 1/11/23 Prayers for clarity on the summer, what positions to take up at springhill. 3/9/23 Prayers for Aarons interview for a different position this summer - unsure of what will happen in the fall if He takes this position. We feel a pull to live in Big Rapids after we get married to be apart of Resurrection Life Church. We've started building a community and taking steps to get involved come fall. Zoe is praying for an open door to be on the worship team and to be an assistant/intern for the worship pastor there. We are praying for a place to live, would really love a small home that we can rent (not ready to buy a home), we would prefer not to do apartment life but are asking for provision from the Lord. 5/2/23 We are kicking off our 5th and 6th summer here at springhill. Praying for unity and chances to connect and be intentional with one another during a busy and distracting season. Finances can be stressful- lots of wedding/marriage purchases happen. Still looking for a place to live! And pray that the student loans forgiveness program is accepted and moves forward so we can go into marriage dept free! 725/23 Camp is in full swing, we’ve got a few more weeks up here, 33, days until getting married. Aaron has a few open doors that we are investigating, we are being very prayerful when it come to jobs for him. I’m keeping a watchful eye out and being patient, although I seen nothing obvious yet, I am fully convinced the lord will provide. Still haven’t locked down housing, praying for something in budget.