I grew up in and around New York City. I talk fast, walk fast, and enjoy adventure and the outdoors. Emma grew up in rural New Hampshire. She talks more, walks faster, and loves the outdoors with an unparalleled zeal and used to lead backcountry adventure trips. While we’ve both been residents of Virginia for 5+ years, I chose the DC suburb of Arlington while Emma chose beautiful Central Virginia; living first in Charlottesville and then Richmond. But, one fateful night, toward the end of December 2021, we both happened to be in the one stoplight town of Barrington, NH. It was Christmas and Emma was in her childhood home celebrating with her parents and brother. I was visiting my sister and her family - and was 5 minutes down the road from Emma. While we could have run into each other at Calef's Country Store, church, or ice-skating on Swains lake…we didn’t. It took another month for us to meet. Ten months prior, in April, I was at an event hosted by my brother, Chesterton, in Luray VA when I ran into a family friend, Johanna. We’d loosely known each other in high-school (being part of the same choir) and had both gone to Grove City College. But, it had been years since we last talked. Johanna happened to be one of Emma’s close friends from childhood and had been instrumental in encouraging Emma to move to Virginia. And, providentially, she became instrumental in connecting Emma and me. But, thus far, I was oblivious. Johanna made a few subtle inquiries and privately informed my brother that, if I was looking, she might have someone in mind for me to meet. Toward the end of January ‘22, Chesterton casually mentioned Johanna’s offer and I, with only moderate interest, decided to see if there was any potential in this blind date. A very cheesy text later, and we’d scheduled a time to talk. But, not wanting to risk the 2+ hours of travel, I invited Emma to…a Zoom call. It was largely out of consideration for Johanna that Emma accepted. Her reluctance increased when I requested she bring three show-and-tell items to our virtual date. I was worried we might run out of things to talk about. Emma, rightly, had no concern. We ended up talking for over 2 hours - well longer than scheduled - and we didn’t even get to all the items. Emma’s first impression of me was that I was far less nerdy than my texting implied and found me interesting. My first impression was that Emma was one of the easiest people I’ve ever talked to - and that she was quite cute. After a few more calls and complications with schedules, we finally met in person toward the end of February. I drove down to Richmond (the first of our many trips along I-95) and picked her up. Emma was surprised to discover I was substantially taller than expected. I was delighted to find that Emma was just as sweet and talkative in person.

Our first date was quite the adventure: a walk around Emma’s favorite neighborhood with her dog Cedar, followed by Indian food on Cary street, and then, because it was going so well, a stop in Scott’s Addition to play duckpin bowling (a classic New England style of bowling). We each won one game - and I discovered Emma was able to be competitive yet lighthearted! Not two weeks later, Emma was passing through DC on her way to Baltimore and we had our second date: a picnic in Rock Creek park (followed by an airport drop off). Thus we entered a season of long phone calls and alternating cities every two weeks for in-person dates. On our calls, Emma would walk her dog and share about her intensive nursing program. I would walk loops around my neighborhood sharing about my work and life. Every two weeks became every week. We both put thousands of miles on our cars driving one of the worst stretches of highway in the country. By God’s grace, my other sister lived just 30 minutes from Emma and demonstrated great hospitality in letting me take over her guest room. Likewise, members of my church opened up guest rooms to Emma. From those very early days, I’ve been struck by how Emma fiercely holds to her values and lives out her faith. She has a deep and genuine love for others. She actually takes the time to know her neighbors and would go out of her way to create friendships with colleagues and classmates. And, whenever she got the chance, she’d get out in nature or discover hidden gems around Richmond - happily dragging me along! She comes alive with a contagious joy when on a mountain trail, on the dance floor, or anywhere with water. For nearly a year we got to know each other long-distance. It was a season of joy (attending over 7 weddings) and also some major hardships. At every turn, we learned to trust one another and grew closer together. We shared our testimonies and our prayers for the future. We regularly were delighted to learn that the other had shared values on important - and trivial - issues. In March, Emma concluded her nursing program and moved to Northern Virginia to start work as a Labor & Delivery nurse - while waiting on me to propose. I’d asked her father’s blessing in January and, unbeknownst to Emma, was waiting on the ring to be finished. Emma’s favorite holiday is Easter. It so clearly celebrates the hope we have in God and in Christ’s resurrection. My plan was to propose after sunrise service overlooking DC. After a few hiccups (which are funny now) it was successful! It was a beautiful Sunday morning, the tulips were in full bloom, and Emma joyfully said “yes!” In the months since we’ve been engaged, our love for each other has only grown deeper. This is a busy season of planning a wedding, preparing for marriage, and fitting in the occasional adventure. We’ve been counting down the days to our wedding by reading the Psalms backward. They’ve reminded us of God’s faithfulness to His people and the joy He has in store for those who hope in Him. We just signed a lease for our first place together and look forward to having each of you over for dinner once we settle in. Before that, we are looking forward to celebrating our wedding with you!