9.25.2021

I don't remember the first time I saw Christopher, but I recall a moment at church one day when I saw him, and I thought, "Wow, that guy is really Flagstaff." (He was wearing chacos, shorts, and a t-shirt, after all). I joined the community group he was a part of (not on purpose, I promise!) in the summer of 2019. We weren't on each other's radars at the beginning, as we were both in different places in life. But, come October, that all changed. We decided (along with another friend) to spontaneously journey out to Albuquerque for their balloon festival that happens every year. At first, I just thought he was a cool dude. But as the weekend progressed, I realized he was maybe a little more than that to me. I was drawn to his intense love of Christ, care for others, and his quiet strength. When we got back to Flagstaff, I wasn't quite sure what to do with these new, unexpected feelings. As time progressed, my feelings grew, and I had no idea how he felt about me! I should have known, though, as he started hanging out with my friend group more, and we spent countless hours at coffee shops working on homework together, sometimes alone, sometimes with others. We went on hikes with friends, and spent time together on occasional Sunday mornings, when he would run sound and I would help with music at church. To make a long story short, on March 3rd 2020, Christopher (finally!) asked me out. And it was all so clearly in the Lord's perfect timing. While the entirety of our romantic relationship has been within the realms of COVID, I am grateful for the extra hours I have gotten to spend with Christopher, growing in knowledge of and love for him. On April 24th, 2021, he asked me to marry him, in our favorite place (Sedona!). I am so excited to marry this man who loves the Lord with all of his being, and cares for me in the sweetest of ways. I look forward to our journey as we seek to serve the Lord with our whole hearts, wherever He may lead us.

The first time I ever saw Cassadi was a beautiful summer day at the park. It was June of 2019, and I was sitting on the lawn with my community group from church when she came to visit for the first time. I didn't think much of it other than, wow this girl is pretty trendy. When she joined my community group for good, I started to see her around more often. I saw her more at church as well when she joined the worship team! We spent many mornings together. I ran the sound board, and she played keys and sang (we both still do). We would talk on our routine coffee breaks at a nearby coffee shop. The first thing she had ever asked me was what my favorite color was (it depends on the day of course). The first time Cassadi caught my attention was a night out for dinner, drinks, and yard games with friends. It is fair to say you noticed a girl when you remember everything she wore. A few weeks later we took a last minute trip to Albuquerque for the balloon fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. Maybe there was something else in the air that day, but all I know is this adventure was what sparked my interest in Cassadi. I was really drawn to her passion for Jesus, her fun personality, and her jokes! We spent the next 6 months becoming great friends! We went to the movies together, we went out on hikes, and we also did homework together at coffee shops. Knowing all this time we'd be moving our separate ways I was torn and kept my feelings to myself. After talking to my friends, I woke up on March 3rd, 2020 thinking, "If I don't at least try and ask her out I'm gonna kick myself". Least to say, there was no need to kick myself. What first seemed like a long time coming, Our first date came at the LORD's perfect timing. We went down to Sedona, which was where I also asked Cassadi to marry me on April 24th, 2021. My heart is full of joy knowing I get to marry my best friend and live our lives for Christ together this September!