Our first date could be described as a happy accident. But it was no accident, because as soon as Daniel and I both arrived at Au Sable Institute in Michigan to study environmental biology, people figured out quickly that we were both poets and wondered what that could mean. But we weren't really close friends...until we decided to go canoeing at night one evening when the moon was full. We paddled out to the middle of the lake. The air was still. And Daniel decided to read me a poem he'd written that day. The moon shone so brightly overhead and his poem had me holding my breath. We both thought the same thought - "well, this is oddly romantic." The romance didn't stop there. Daniel kept asking me to visit bogs or go canoeing or swimming with him, and together we photobombed each others' orchid pictures, flirted in fens and bookstores, celebrated the Fourth of July, and "accidentally" fell asleep touching shoulders while on a long van trip (pretty scandalous, I know). Until it was clear something had to be done. On July 7th we were sitting on the edge of a dock, watching the fish, and he had just placed a flower crown neatly in my hair. He asked if we wanted to put a name to this blossoming relationship. Though a little nervous, I agreed. After that our lives were radically changed in the best way possible! Daniel and I enjoy casual dates - going on hikes together or Sunday drives. We eat breakfast together and read the Bible together every morning, and we focus on praying together and praying for each other as much as we can. We love deep conversations and reading poetry and books aloud to each other. We surprise each other with poems, love letters, paintings, and flowers. Romance is well and alive today if only between Daniel and I, two die-hard romantics! The most important day to date of our relationship was when we visited my favorite wildflower trail during the first days of spring with a group of our friends. That was where Daniel declared his love for me with the poem "Wildflower" - and he pulled out a beautiful diamond ring. That was the moment that proved our relationship was headed towards something much bigger. We'd always known, but we'd never felt free to talk about our dreams for the future until that moment. Now that we're allowing ourselves to dream big about an entire life together, Daniel is working on procuring a place for us to live. We're going to stay on Lookout Mountain in a little cabin for as long as the Lord keeps us there, and we're going to stay involved in our church community and college community as long as possible. We're so excited to face the challenge and wonder of marriage and learn more about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through that challenge. May romance always be kept alive in our hearts!

yes, we were kids within that forest tasting magic in the mystery chasing narnia and neverland  far beyond time and history a long time i lay dreaming in that forest, with the orchids a vision flashed before my eyes of rocky slopes and wind-bent pines the earthy smell of life, and you were in that dream with me you fell in love with elven wonder and followed it through the woodland the echo of your voice began to rock my fear to sleep we were in a place we made our own making futures from fantasies we never felt so invincible  as when the world was at our fingertips a long time i lay thinking on our travels, the open road before our feet and all the hills to wander a song you played of restlessness, and you, content inside that song with me we laid in moss, filled full with wonder let me remember, not lose sight  somehow the stars inside your mind could spin storybooks in reality we made footprints in a magic world where faeries danced and trees could sing who wouldn't want to lose themselves here imagination gave us wings a long time i lay huddled in the fiddleheads the silence brought my childhood dreams back in full splendor  but a fairy tale looked pale compared to little walks along the coast with you i sought for depth within the wonder and found not neverland but you   i just thought the other day how  it’s so nice when people, unlike dreams, come true

You stand there lovely, full of grace The warmest smile ‘pon your face A look you save for me alone By gentle heart your love has shown I’ve watched you grow through rain and shine, Your colors rich, your spirit kind. You take in light and dance with grace, A wild bloom, a warm embrace You grow where winds would bend and break, Yet still you rise, and still you wake. Through frost and bloom, through storm and shine, I’ll hold your hand — will you be mine? Come take my hand — let’s root down deep, And promise love that years will keep. I’ll lift you high and hold you near — My wildflower, my treasured dear Let’s plant our roots and stretch them wide, Our journey same, our leaves entwined I’ll love you well and hold you close I’ll walk with you through highs and lows So here I kneel with soil-stained hands, To ask, dear bloom, if you will stand And grow with me through every hour — My gorgeous bloom, my wildflower