“Reader, I married him.” - Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë ‘It would come unexpected. Just be patient and you’ll see. Your prince is coming on a turtle.’ Now, the last one always gave me a chuckle, yet that's what I'd been told. For as long as I can remember, those three phrases is what people would tell me throughout my life and I believed them. I had to, because if I didn’t believe it was going to happen, it wouldn’t happen, you know? Then, when I least expected it... He came.

Now, before we actually go into it, I do want to mention something a bit personal. Many of you reading this don’t know me personally and that’s totally ok. I am someone who is an introvert, loves being alone but not lonely, quirky, weird, has ocd, a hopeless romantic and an endless dreamer. I wanted someone who can be accepting of these qualities and encourage me to keep being myself. It was easy for me to get attached to someone and I was emotionally attached to someone else before, but nothing came out of it except deep emotional scars and triggers that are forever a part of me. So praying to Jehovah for the longest time about finding someone specific for me was crucial and I took it very seriously. Serious to the point of getting head and hands deep into a personal study project on dating and marriage for exactly 3 years straight. Yes. As well as planning out my wedding way before even dating. Always good to think ahead I like to say! I needed to if I was going to be ready to date the right brother, and I’m truly grateful I did all of that. Jehovah honestly helped me so much to prepare myself in building myself up in so many ways to becoming a capable wife. Through tough nights of heartache, tears and earnest prayer, I was finally comfortable with who I was and where my mind was at. I left everything completely in Jehovah’s hands. Best decision, because you know what? Jehovah surprised me. For the longest time I held onto these fake pearls when all I had to do was let them go and Jehovah gave me the most beautiful, shiny pearl necklace I could ever have asked for…

October 2019 It was three weeks before our assembly and for some strange reason I just couldn’t get his name out of my head. ‘Tyler.’ It honestly popped up out of nowhere and I would brush it off, going about my daily activities. Yet, no matter what I ended up doing I kept thinking of him. It wasn’t intentional either, not at all. It was as if someone placed an unsuspecting file into the filing cabinet in my brain and my brain kept reporting to me: Tyler, Tyler, Tyler! Is he going to be at the assembly? Will he even cross my path? Why am I thinking of him? To me it was strange because I didn't really know him. I do remember running into him every now and then at our assemblies and conventions, yet it was always brief and simple. A smile, a wave, a “how are you?” That’s it! And yet I found myself thinking of this brother all of a sudden. Why? Strange indeed. Something was about to happen, little did I know anything about it. How those moments in the past of us being around each other were no coincidence at all. How the name Tyler Evan Cascone would forever be a part of my life. Fast forward to the assembly. I was driving, taking along three other friends and as per usual, on our way to Buckingham, I couldn’t stop thinking about that brother. ‘This is silly,’ I would silently tell myself. ‘It’s just a coincidence.’ The entire drive I engaged myself in conversation with the friends, trying my hardest to not make it obvious that I was completely not there mentally and it worked. Up until we arrived that is. I pull into the driveway that brings us to the main entrance of the assembly hall and who was there? Of course! Not only than the brother himself! When I thought I was past my floating daydreamy thoughts, he stood there, wearing a yellow vest over his grey suit, signaling the cars ahead to keep moving forward. Not only was he the first brother I thought of, but he was also the first brother I saw in person upon arriving.

We both waved to each other and smiled upon passing. I could feel my cheeks flush with color and my heart race. My sudden reaction took me by surprise and it most definitely grabbed the interest of my friends in the car, who proceeded to tease me, for I didn’t realize I exclaimed out loud, “Tyler!” I tried not to make it a big deal as the assembly went on. It went pretty well too honestly. The morning went by like a breeze. Come lunch time, we all finished eating and had enough time to walk and chat with friends. The small group of friends I was with were planning to take a walk around. I felt like that was a great idea! A walk around would clear my head. That’s when I felt a pair of eyes watching me and I could only guess who. I looked towards the left and noticed Tyler staring. I quickly looked away and mentioned it to the young sister. I don't know what compelled me but, we decided to go say hello. I felt it was the kind thing to do. So I had this thing where I would ask myself two questions when it came to talking to a brother whome I thought had potential: Is It you? Is it going to be you? Now, I haven't thought of those questions in a long time. Upon meeting Tyler again, it didn't surprise me that those questions still didn't pop up say for three words: It is you. Yet, I didn’t take it so seriously come the circumstances. Tyler and I locked eyes and I presented my hand to shake his, all the while giving him a small smile. He took my hand and held it, not letting go, as we exchanged greetings. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. Our hands warming up at the touch. The feeling surprised me once more and for a split second I got slightly nervous. I was slightly nervous it was going to happen to me all over again, that I was going to get attached to someone and not be able to come back from that if it went south. I couldn’t bring myself to go through that pain. So even though I was happy to see him, I was being very cautious.

Now, I don’t honestly remember much of the conversation he and I had, but I do recall my friend breaking off suddenly, leaving Tyler and myself to keep talking. There were some laughs, lots of smiles and eye glances. I just kept noticing how tall he was and that he was just super kind to everyone who passed by. Plus overall very funny. Afterward, we parted and the assembly continued on. Apparently he was sitting rather close by, something I hadn't noticed before, and those butterflies never left. I couldn’t concentrate as much as I’d like, but that’s why I always took notes because it does help me from being too distracted. Therefore I was able to listen to most of the assembly that afternoon without too much of a problem. It ended rather quickly though, therefore my friends and I mingled some more afterwards. Tyler was nowhere to be seen and I pushed my somewhat excited/anxious thoughts to the back of my head. I figured whatever happened with that brother was just as any other moment with anyone else. Just a nice, easy conversation which meant absolutely nothing and I had no worries, or so I thought. The three friends who rode with me and myself were gathered amongst others in the lobby. We were having such a lovely time discussing what we enjoyed out of the assembly and just having a couple of laughs, when Tyler came in from outside. It was almost instantly, my heart was racing and I could hear it in my ears. He had on the yellow vest again, his dark brown hair looking shiny because it rained outside, holding a pair of brown gloves in his hands as he went to talk briefly to a brother nearby, before he actually turned his attention to me.

The butterflies instantly returned. We both started approaching each other; I apparently had no control over my feet for some reason. It felt as if we were the only two in the room who existed. Mind you, I was carrying books and lunch bag in my arms, so when Tyler came over, arms outstretched for a hug, I awkwardly came in with my hand out for a handshake. Yet, last minute, I tried my best to give him a hug in return. Another thing about me is that I don’t like hugs. I know. I don’t like being touched at all, but if someone initiated a hug then I’ll go for it, but I would never be the first one to do so. And when it came to a guy giving me a hug that was a totally different story. I’ve had men hug me out of nowhere without my permission and it made me super uncomfortable. Yet, with Tyler, it felt so normal. One thing I will say, that I still laugh about, was that when he was coming in for a hug, he said, “I’m all wet.” For again it was raining outside. My response was, “That’s okay.” I tentatively chuckled. Then we just stood there not saying anything. Tyler couldn’t even meet my eyes, which I found adorable. “Well, I guess I’ll see you later. You’re welcome to come to Randolph,” I managed to say after a while. He looked to the left and said, “…yeah, if I have a talk there.” We then said our goodbyes and I went with my friends outside to which Tyler followed but at a distance. Yet, I did notice him after a minute or two, standing a bit away. He was on his phone; regardless we couldn’t stop looking at each other. That was the longest drive home. The conversations in the car did not distract me at all from my thoughts, playing my conversation with Tyler over and over in my head. My friend sat in the passenger seat beside me and encouraged me greatly, as I continuously prayed to Jehovah in my heart for me not to make a wrong decision in regards to opening myself up to this brother if it wasn’t real.

That was the last time I saw him in person. Eventually, my congregation changed circuits and I became less hopeful in seeing Tyler again. After our last encounter though I still couldn’t really get him off my mind. I tried to describe how he looked to my close friends, trying to gather any information on him if they knew. I just didn’t want my heart getting involved so fast when I wasn’t so sure. April 2020 One of my friends found his Instagram. I was equally excited as I was nervous. It took me a couple of months before April rolled around that I decided to follow him. I wasn’t sure if he was going to follow me, because I thought he would not have remembered me. How wrong I was! An hour later he accepted my follow request and asked to follow me back. I was super excited! Yet, I didn’t want to like or comment on anything until he did; I didn’t want my enthusiasm to make things awkward between us. So I left it alone and went about my daily activities. I was happy over the fact that there was even a way of communication. I continued to leave everything in Jehovah’s hands. Around August he commented “Edelweiss…Edelweiss.” under a picture of flowers I had on my profile and of course being at work I couldn’t respond back. Working the rest of the day with his comment in the back of my head was somewhat overwhelming for I was itching to respond! Once I got home I then commented back the next few lines of the song and from there we started conversing over messages on Instagram. Tyler then asked for my number and it went off from there.

We weren’t talking everyday of course, but sometimes we’ll text and slowly got to know each other. I got to see this different side of him that intrigued me. He told me his past, how he came into the truth and I felt very sympathetic towards him. He and I had a lot of similarities, especially in regards to an emotional and mental outlook. I just saw him as a fellow brother who was in need of a friend, especially since during that time the pandemic hit and we were all isolated. That was my own conclusion. I got a sense that he might have had feelings for me, because one late evening out of nowhere he sends me a message. It went something like this: “Hey, are you awake?” “Yeah, what’s up?” “I wanted to give you something.” “Give me something? Like what? Lol” “A movie. How can I gift you a movie?” “Oh wow, really? That’s so kind of you! Well, I know you can do it through iTunes. I’ve never done it before.” “Me either, but pick a movie and I’ll buy it for you.” That was the gist of our texts but honestly! Tyler gifting me a movie of my choice? Just because he said I was being such a kind friend to him? That was the sweetest thing any young brother has ever done for me! The fact that he contacted me himself to give me something because he truly wanted to. That act in itself gave me some hints. I’m a pretty observant person, or so it seemed.

I was still careful not to get my heart too involved, which is easier said than done, for he noticed how emotionally attached I was getting and decided at one point it was best to lessen our conversations for the time being. How he wasn’t ready to date and didn’t want to hurt my feelings. I respected his decision; not going to lie, it did hurt me somewhat, but Jehovah helped me to build strength and we parted ways for some time. That was until months later, one post he had on his instagram got me curious so I had to message him about it, because it concerned me for a minute over what some people were saying, which I disliked. He surprisingly responded back to me and from then on, the conversations never stopped. January 2021 I was at work when Tyler Evan Cascone asked me to be his girlfriend. Me, to be his girlfriend? Yes of course! For the first time ever a man was actually interested in me! It made my heart soar! Being in a pandemic, it was difficult to hang out in person, so after some time passed, we decided to meet safely at my grandma’s. That was the first time seeing him in person again after so long! I was super shy as to be expected, but we had an awesome time. We continued keeping in contact over FaceTime. I won’t lie, there were times I felt like it was all a dream. A beautiful, wonderful, running through a field of wildflowers dream! I never wanted it to end! This was what I’ve always wanted and I finally have a man who was not only very spiritual, but he completely understands me, accepts my personality and has helped me find more balance in my life.

Fast forward to February. Let me repeat myself. Not many of you know me, or know my personal journey. That is between me and Jehovah. Some close friends know more than others of where I came from and how things were in the past. It’s understandable. It doesn’t make sense to most, but what’s important at least for myself personally, it made a lot of sense to Tyler and I. A long time ago I made a very personal prayer to Jehovah, telling him that the next brother who comes into my life will be the last one I would want to get emotionally involved with. I’ve never dated anyone in my life. Period. And yet, here, this heartfelt, caring, personable, loving brother saw me? He actually gave me a chance, when no other man wanted to. So when I found myself at his mother’s house, holding the temporary engagement ring in his hands (he was saving up for the real one) and bending down on one knee by the front door to which I just walked through, asking me, “Stephanie Crystal Calderon, will you be my Stephanie Crystal Cascone?” I did what I felt was what Jehovah wanted me to do. I said yes! Even up to this point, today, as I continue writing this 3 months before our wedding, I can finally see why Jehovah made sure it never worked out with anybody else. Tyler truthfully makes me happy and I wake up everyday with this warmth in my heart, and smile on my face. Something I haven’t felt in a long time. This was it. This was the moment I’ve been waiting for. Preparing for. Jehovah could not have picked a better brother to be my other half, my compliment… My husband. 🤎

Don’t get me wrong, Tyler and I have had our bumps along the road, but that’s what makes our love stronger towards each other; whatever problem comes our way we tackle it together. We keep Jehovah as the main focus of our lives. The three of us are unstoppable. I know. Love in reality isn’t a fairytale. It’s real, it’s a huge step in someone’s life. I get it, but that won’t stop us from being hopeless romantics. I’m ready. We’re ready. I like to consider the first half of my life as the prologue to my story. Well, I can’t really say it’s my story anymore can I? Our forever story. Tyler and I. Mr. & Mrs. Cascone. Let the adventures begin. 🤎 (“Transformation” by The Cinematic Orchestra)