I love our unusual story. With our instant connection and certainty about one another which remained through all the ups and downs of a developing relationship. How our relationship continued and deepened despite the misunderstandings, distance and realising over time how two flawed humans make a fiery combination! That he saw the most unlovable parts of me and despite it all he loved me anyway… Long distance relationships have some benefits. They highlight the need for one to be intentional about communication. Forcing one to fully appreciate the limited time one does have together. However, I am excited that it is now almost a reality that we will be in the same time zone for longer than a couple of weeks! That we get to be in each other’s company for longer than the approximately 107 days we have spent together since we met. That we will be able to go on coffee dates, have movie nights, and early morning walks. That the stereotypical dating phase of other relationships can finally start for us!

Many couples have stories about unlikely meetings or strange timing. Ours was no different, if perhaps much more wild. After spening two years living in South Africa working for a church in Pretoria, I felt the Lord calling me back to the United States. Two weeks before leaving, my friend brought me to the Rawlins’ farm - of course, not mentioning at all that one of the Rawlins’ children was an absolutely stunning, single, and very intriguing lady. I was immediately blown away by her, and took every opportunity to speak with Kyla and learn more about her. Of course, the more I spoke with Kyla, the more I liked her. After the week at her parents' farm ended, I didn't know what was going to happen, but after years of WhatsApp messages, calls, and flights, it seemed about time the long distance ended; we got engaged on December 20 in the Western Cape, and although that was one of the most amazing experiences in my life, I know it's just the beginning.