Due to the unforeseen effects of Coronavirus and the related government recommendations, we have made some changes to our original plan. The health of our family and friends is our priority. We proceeded with our ceremony on May 30 with immediate family and postponed our reception to Friday, December 31 2021. We hope you understand and we look forward to celebrating with you! https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

I first met Josh sharing a family-style lunch at Cedar Campus in Michigan. I had grown up coming to camp every summer with my family, and Josh had been recruited by some friends at school. One evening, a dishwashing shift (and fate!) had rendered us alone at camp while our friends had left to watch the NBA finals. The only car available to us was a stick shift, which neither of us knew how to drive at the time. Desperately eager to join our friends, we made a brave attempt at driving the car, which quickly ended with the car securely stuck in a bush. We accepted our destiny, made two hot chocolates and sat down in the dining hall side by side. Before I knew it, we were learning about each other’s families, telling stories of our childhood and making ridiculous jokes. Little did I know that this would be the first of many times that I would find myself laughing til my sides ached, sharing a joy-filled night with the man who would become my husband! After weeks of floating bear rides, late night hot chocolates and shared waterfront watches we officially began dating. We were blessed to begin our relationship in the solitude of the camp environment where we were truly able to draw close to God.

Carolyn left Cedar Campus a month before I did. On one of my last nights that summer I was contemplating what the future held and what I had gotten myself into with a long distance relationship when I found great joy remembering all the moments we shared that summer. In that space, I told Carolyn I loved her. Her brief response, “You don’t love me.” I was hurt, confused, and shocked all at once. Looking back, I know that she had every reason to tell me I didn’t truly know what love was. It was so soon. I just missed her. The “I love you too” that I deeply craved came seven long months later. Long distance dating held many uncertainties, but one thing that never changed was the feeling I had when I was with her. Her laugh is like music to my ears and her smile is my favorite sight in the world. It’s crazy how fast a six hour drive can feel when she was what I was looking forward to. Always worth it, even if just for a few days. Through all of life’s seasons she has been a constant that has kept me grounded. What grace indeed that falling in love has drawn us towards a boundless love that transcends any words we try to place on it.

We returned to Cedar Campus to volunteer over the holidays. We were excited to serve alongside many of our friends and once again enjoy the peaceful solitude of the Upper Peninsula. One morning my friend Bethany suggested that we go for a walk in the fresh snow. Our tour eventually led us to the cabin where I had grown up staying with my family and Bethany prompted me to go inside. As soon as I opened the back door I was met with dozens of fresh bouquets and candles. Josh stood in front of the sunlit window with his warm, inviting smile. We made our way outside, down to the frozen beach where he wasted no time expressing his feelings about our relationship. He asked me to marry him, and I enthusiastically answered, ‘Yes!’. We have been so blessed with the guidance and patience that God has granted us throughout our relationship. We have felt His direction, navigating us through our relationship and allowing us to truly know Him and the magnitude of His love for us through the experiences we have had together. God is good.