It’s finally happening!

I first met Christina in the parking lot of a Dunkin Doughnuts - romantic, I know. I was watching her on her first day on the road as a sheriff’s deputy. She had the fun task of getting an insane woman into the back of an ambulance, and I sat with her field training officer, Heath, sizing her up.  She didn’t really know what she was doing, but then again, I still felt so new I didn’t really know anything about the job either. I tried to act cool, talking to Heath, hoping he wouldn’t ask me to do something I had no idea how to do in front of her. I didn’t really talk to her and tried to treat her like the typical trainee. I immediately knew that someone rough around the edges like me would have no chance with a girl like her, so I put it out of my mind.    The first time I really talked to Christina was in the back parking lot behind the In-Town Suites on Wade Hampton. We talked about our faith and our upbringing. I had been watching her over the months as she did the job, and I saw how she never changed. Christina didn’t get bitter or change how she treated people and how she carried herself. I was in the thick of a rough time in life, and I found myself wishing I carried myself with the same conviction as her. She made me want to be better, and that was the first time I saw God using Christina Aardsma in my life. I left the conversation thinking again that I didn’t have a chance and not allowing myself to really consider it.    

Working with Christina, I got to see how she relaxed into her role as a team member on the East side and continued to carry herself with the same conviction. She won the team over, and my partner, Gravley, and I kept being impressed by her. She continued to show herself as tough, competent, and reliable, having our backs in tough spots. When I would chase someone, I never doubted that she would find me and help me fight the suspect, even if there was a fence twice her height between me and her. I found that I was comfortable when she backed me up.   I found myself stealing glances at Christina all the time, seeing how she would react to things that happened around her. Making her laugh became the main goal of my existence. We started playing call of duty almost every night we were off on night shift. The game was fun, but I played because we would always end up laughing until we couldn’t breathe. It was an easy way to talk to her for long periods of time, and I would always aggravate her to play for “just a little longer.” I would tell myself that she was just a friend, trying to convince myself more than anything. Christina started calling me after work on our drives home. I would always end up just sitting in my driveway talking to her, listening to her talk about her day. We did this so often I could tell when she was getting close to home by listening for her turn signals. I loved it when she would get excited as she told me about whatever happened during her shift or in her life. I caught myself wishing that I’d always be the person she’d call to talk about her day.

During this whole time, two of my close friends from the Sheriff’s Office were telling me that we should date. Chyna Nunez trained Christina, and she would always try to get me to agree to her setting us up for a date. I would always tell her not to, because I was both scared of ruining my friendship with Christina and of getting us in trouble at work. Michael Gravley was also trying to get me to work up the courage to ask her out. At first I wouldn’t admit that I liked her, both to him and myself. Eventually, I told him that I didn’t think that I was a good enough person for her. I still don’t think I’ll ever be good enough, but I’m really glad she keeps giving me the chance. Our first date really wasn’t even a date. We both had feelings for each other, but had not said anything. Christina wanted to see the new Star Wars movie, and I said that we should just go together to see it. We met and got pizza before, and as I sat across from her, I thought this feels a lot like a date. I couldn’t believe that a girl like her was single. As we watched the movie, I couldn’t help but think, I really REALLY want to hold her hand. Christina later told me that she thought the same thing. I got home from that movie and I thought for a split second that I had just hung out with my future wife. I dismissed the thought as crazy on my part.

One day, I asked Christina if she wanted to go to Pageland with me for the day, and, to my surprise, she went with me. We spent the day together shooting her new rifle that we built. She was amazing, and carried herself with comfort and ease around my family. It was like she had been there a thousand times already. Every time Christina would walk out of ear shot, my parents would whisper to me about how beautiful and great she was. We finished out the afternoon around a fire with my folks and hopped back into the car to drive back home. The closer we got to Simpsonville, the more nervous I got. I really wanted to get it off my chest, and, once we hit 385, I probably asked her twenty times when the exit for her house was coming up. She thought I was about to fall asleep at the wheel, because I got really quiet. I get really quiet when I’m nervous. To my surprise, in my typical nervous stuttering way, “Aardsma, I kind of like you” shot straight out of my mouth. Then, continuing to stutter over my words, I corrected, “I don’t kind of like you. I REALLY like you.” I was reminded of just how out of my league I really was when Christina smoothly responded, “I kind of like you too.” From that point forward, Christina and I pretty much became inseparable. Our friends wondered why we never played call of duty anymore, and it was because we were always together. Christina’s family was amazing and welcomed me with open arms. We continued to get to know one another, and I continued to wonder why a woman so amazing would have anything to do with a man like me. I felt honored to be her partner in life. I loved her.

I went to Mr. Phil and Mrs. Tammy’s house to get their blessing. I brought the ring to show them I meant it. I told them I loved their daughter and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I left the home with their blessing and a spring in my step. The next step was trying to surprise her. She’s smarter than me, so it was no easy step. I woke up on the morning of November 9, 2020, and I decided that that day was the day. I asked her if she wanted to go see the changing leaves at Ceasar’s Head. I almost slipped up multiple times, and Christina probably would have seen right through me if she wasn’t trying to keep her hopes from getting up. It was so hard to plan for anything because I knew it any of our friends came along, she would know she was getting engaged. I knew I needed pictures, but I didn’t know how to get them without her knowing, so I called my brother, Luke, and I asked him how he pulled it off. He laughed and said he just handed a stranger and hoped they would keep taking pictures. I started praying I’d have someone to take pictures up there. The afternoon was beautiful, and the sun setting left a band of orange gold between the gray clouds above and the blue, green mountains below. I was so nervous as I took her hand trying to find the perfect spot. Nervous doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. I was looking around trying to find someone to take our picture, and I saw this woman walking away. Christina told me to find someone else, as the woman was already some ways away. I ran over to her anyways and I asked her to take our picture and to keep taking pictures. It turns out that she used to be a professional photographer. God has a good way of getting things done right. We took a picture together with the sunset behind us, and I got down on one knee. I asked Christina Aardsma to marry me, and she said yes. I was the happiest man on earth. I still am.

Sitting in the car after she said yes, we both cried tears of joy. Christina told me she never thought that she would be desired enough to have someone fall for her. In my mind, there was no greater tragedy than that: to feel unwanted or unlovable. It’s now my mission in life to make sure she always feels wanted and loved. Christina Aardsma is most definitely my greatest blessing on earth. God brought her into my life and has not stopped using her ever since. She’s wonderful, amazing, smart, strong, and beautiful. God made her for me. He made me for her. He’s the foundation of this amazing thing, and we always want to make sure that our relationship points upward to Him. If you’re reading this, you probably already know how great Christina is, or you’ve had to put up with my shenanigans for a long time. Either way, we’re honored to share our story with you. Please join us for our special day. Beyond that, rally behind us with prayer as we start this new chapter in our lives. Thanks, Jackson Reese