​My story with Rilla begins with my story with God. ​For most of my life I was a lost sheep going through the motions of life. I had no purpose beyond self servitude and was enslaved to sin and the fear of death. As the author writes in Ecclesiastes “everything was meaningless”. God started to draw myself towards Him in the summer of 2018 and oh how little did I know how gracious the God of the Bible really is. I started going to Alpine Bible Church in Lehi, UT in November of 2018 and that’s when I learned about the Gospel and what Jesus did on the cross for my sins while I was yet a sinner. On January 19, 2019, I believed in my heart that Jesus rose from the dead, confessed Him as my Lord and Savior, and was saved from my sins. Salvation is the first amazing, undeserving gift that God placed in my life. But He wasn’t finished there, He provided me with a calling in Utah, an awesome Church family, newfound friends, and Rilla… ​I met Rilla on the first day I went to 2nd service at Church. I remember still being nervous to go to Church and pulling into the parking lot and seeing Rilla in her car across from me. As I was walking into the building, she was ahead of me and held the door open for me. (I’m guessing she could tell I was new to the Church and nervous to be there). I grabbed a seat on the left side of the sanctuary and she was on the right side and she came up to me before the service began to formally introduce herself. She also invited me to a bible study her and her friends had on Tuesday nights. I was so excited that she took the time to invite me into her friend group (later I found out she was very nervous to do so and that it was out of her element). From that point forward I developed a close friendship with Rilla.

I remember having a strong connection with Rilla and feelings toward her, but at the same time I was a new believer and wanted to focus on my relationship with God before pursuing any relationships. The year 2019 was full of a lot of fun bible study’s, hikes, road trips, and a comic convention with Rilla and my new friends. Throughout all of this time we had together, I continued to feel that strong connection I had with her from the beginning. By the time October rolled around, I knew that I wanted to explore if marriage was something that could be in our future. I invited her out to coffee and told her the feelings I had and how I wanted to date her with the intention of finding out if marriage is something God was calling us towards. ​Rilla and I have been dating for 11 months, and right away I knew I loved her very much. After lots of prayer and study on the meaning of marriage, I also knew that she was the woman I was called to marry. I don’t deserve any of the gifts God has placed in my life, including Rilla. I thank God that He has placed her in my life, and I just pray I can be a good steward of this gift and be the husband that loves Rilla like Christ loved the Church. I know that marriage is supposed to be a reflection of God and the Gospel and for that reason it won’t be an easy endeavor. However, through God all things are possible, and if we keep Him at the center of our marriage then it will be able to endure to the end. ​I love you very much Rilla and I can’t wait to be your husband.

I met Charlie while walking into Alpine Bible Church near the end of 2018. I caught a glimpse of him walking up to the door and I waited to hold it open for him. I was instantly struck and I noticed when he went over to sit by himself before the service started. Something came over me (which is pretty unlike me generally) but I went over to introduce myself and invite him to our small group. We exchanged numbers and I already knew I was interested. I remember how personable and kind he was right from that moment. It was a matter of weeks after this that Charlie accepted Jesus into his life as Lord. He let me know the day this happened and he was so full of joy and excitement. I wanted to hear the whole story so he invited me to get an evening tea with him (which he says he doesn't remember but I have the text to prove it). We went out to Starbucks and he told me his story and how God had saved him. He talked about how much joy and purpose he now had, and it also encouraged my faith to see this newfound hope in him. This situation was an interesting date/not-date event. We both felt something here, and it somewhat felt like a date, but the timing was definitely not right as we had just met and he was going through a monumental shift in his life. So I invited him to join my friend group and community and he jumped in full force. We would usually see each other several times a week at bible studies, church gatherings, and friend hangouts. That year we got to know each other so well as friends, hanging out at coffee shops, brunches, rodeos, camping, going to the Grand Canyon, and many other things.

This whole time, I felt very strongly about him, but the timing just hadn't felt quite right. It was in October of 2019 that there was a shift and a feeling of wanting to go for it. My work was having their annual company holiday party, a formal occasion where we were invited to bring a plus one. I planned to ask him one night after a few of us had dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. Charlie and I stayed after and talked outside in the parking lot for a good half hour or more, but I ended up chickening out. Instead, I sent him a vague text (which I didn't think was vague at the time) asking if he'd want to come with me to a holiday party. My friends assured me this was not a clear date invitation, and I wondered if I'd have to send an uncomfortable clarifying follow-up text. Instead, I got a text from Charlie asking if I'd like to get coffee that week. I was very excited and nervous all at the same time. We went to Peace on Earth (a classic spot in Provo, UT) and he so eloquently and clearly told me how he had felt and what he wanted. We started dating soon after that, and over this last year I have learned how kind, patient, loving, and strong Charlie is, and I am so thankful for him every day. He has stated his desire to love as well as sacrifice for me, both in word and in action. In September, Charlie proposed while we were on the hike up to Silver Lake in American Fork canyon, and he had Ephesians 5:31-33 engraved inside the engagement ring. Marriage is a reflection of Christ's relationship with the Church, in love, sacrifice, submission, and respect. I am so excited to learn how to live this out with Charlie, and I am also so thankful for my friends and family who have loved, guided, encouraged, and walked with me through these stages.