We're getting married!

We met through Campus Fellowship at Drake University. Each Saturday night, we pile into vehicles to head downtown for church. I (EB) raised my hand that I had 4 open spots in my vehicle...er, my dad's pickup truck I happened to be using that week. Though I love meeting people, I found myself so immersed in a conversation about running with a new friend in the passenger seat that I didn't even introduce myself to the 3 students in the back! So rude! Once I finally parked that big truck, the first thing on my mind was to introduce myself. But he beat me to it. "Hi, I don't think we've met before. I'm Ben." I recognized him. But where?! I remembered. "Oh, you're the guy from the V-Day video!" Each year our campus ministry men host this big valentine's dinner. Ben was in the promo video. I remembered watching the video and didn't know who he was, but noticed he had very kind eyes. Over the next several years, we became good friends as we had conversations driving to Florida for the annual mission trip, coaching intercity summer soccer, dozens of events, reaching out together. Little did I know, he had decided to pursue me two years earlier. Last summer I was off-the-grid head counseling at camp and very surprised to find a 6am or so memo scribbled "give Ben a call, fb message, email, or message." I was loving singleness and caught off guard by the idea of marriage, but God has been patiently teaching me that these are different, but beautiful. Ben patiently, intentionally pursued me. Our relationship included countless deep conversations and many memories that usually involved coffee, hiking, and/or books.

We had a happily usual day of Mars coffee, campus walking, Dirt Burger, botanical gardens...when he asked me at the gardens if I'd like to go hiking since it was so beautiful out. (He knew I'd say yes.) He asked if I'd like to go to Waterworks, Brenton, the High Trestle bridge...he gave me options! (But he knew I'd say I'm up for anything. Glory hallelujah I was up for anything.) "Let's go to the bridge!" Looking back, I should have seen the obvious signs of stalling (for stuff being set up). We stopped at Jimmy John's, picking up something left at Big Blue, gum at a gas station, another Mars coffee shop, and asking for the ETA of getting to the bridge. But I totally thought it was to get to the bridge around sunset & didn't think much of it. I knew the proposal could very likely happen at the bridge since it was where we had our first date and likely very soon since he had a ring, but he had given me an option of where to hike, right?! And my mom had texted to feel free to stop by for dinner, which was totally normal, but threw me off. Totally surprised. He had threaded signs with favorite Tow'rs lyrics edited to match our story. "I still remember the day we first met. You were driving your dad's pickup truck..." At the center of the bridge, he gave me a letter from my parents with their enthusiastic blessing & warmed my heart with visions of banana pancakes on Saturdays, teaching kids about Jesus, opening up our home to sinners & saints...and got down on one knee (did NOT drop ring in river) and I said YES!!! Our friends Paul & Jayson captured the moment and we were surprised by an ice cream party back at our family's home. We had no idea "COVID 10 people" was around the corner, so we were grateful all were well after. We couldn't stop smiling!

We're so excited to be husband & wife! We're thankful to have you each in our lives, our wedding, and out future. In these changing times, we thought you might appreciate a few more details, so feel free to explore the above tabs for more information & keep an eye on the website as we get closer to August 2, 2020! Much love!