“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” Matthew 19:6

In February 2024, Brian and I met at a Bible study. As the group wrapped up, my friend Haven mentioned a photoshoot she wanted to arrange—a blind date photoshoot. She seemed so excited, but said she still needed a girl for it. She asked me if I was interested, and after some thought, I agreed. Haven replied, “The photoshoot would be with him,” and pointed to Brian, and asked me if I was still interested. After considering the way he talked about God over our study, how personal and close the Scriptures were to him, I was sure. As I went to leave, I awkwardly curtsied to Brian and said, “If you don’t mind.” Brian bowed in return, saying, “I don’t mind at all.” A week later, I went to Tennessee to start an internship for college. Meanwhile, I was unaware that Brian was searching for the perfect words to reach out. After a few weeks, he finally mustered up the courage to send me a text, inviting me to dinner with some friends. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a reply, because I never received the message. A few months later, we bumped into each other again at a pickleball gathering. I did not know how to play and instead chose to sit on the sidelines while the others played. I was talking to a friend when I noticed Brian went to spike a ball. He insists he got the point, but had broken his foot coming down from the jump. After watching him walk off the court, I texted an old boss and drove to grab some ice. Afterward, we sat together, sharing our hobbies and interests until a friend called me over to learn how to play pickleball. As I played, I occasionally glanced at Brian, noticing him smirking at me while chatting with some of his friends. The night went on and we went our separate ways. A week later, Brian texted me to ask about the book we were discussing at pickleball. That led to hours of discussion back and forth that night over any and every topic, eventually landing on a discussion about gardens. Brian sent me a picture of a palm tree he has been growing, and I was surprised at seeing one thriving in Missouri. Brian jokingly replied, “Guess I’m cool like that,” to which I naturally agreed. Of all the qualities I was looking for in a man, one that had the resilience to grow a palm tree in the Midwest definitely met some requirements. Taking a chance, Brian asked, “Cool enough to grab coffee with?” I was trying to respond subtly and said, “If we can find a time that works, absolutely.” A response I was okay with, but he never ceases to remind me that I could have used a poetic touch. We met at a local coffee shop and passed some small talk. Not being one for small talk, I decided to just get to the point and asked him to essentially give me his life’s purpose, dreams, goals, preferred parenting style, social security number, family history… the basics. And as if he had been waiting his whole life for this, he answered my every question. We ended up staying until the shop closed. Afterward, Brian walked me to my car. Before I left, hoping he had passed the test, he asked me out on a proper date, to which, I said yes. Fast forward a year, Brian proposed, and once again, I said yes!