In the summer of 2022 when we found ourselves working for GLAD: G-Glenwood L-Learning A-Adventure D-Days we had no idea how that acrostic would come to represent a totally different meaning for us. Of course we’d seen each other as we attended church services and Youth Group at New City Fellowship. The Tollivers loved The Greens and The Greens adored the Tollivers. However, we soon discovered that we’d been seen by God who wanted to give us as gifts to each other. David, a whiz with children, soon developed a sincere relationship withOlivia’s son, Lil Paul. “Mr. David said this!” “Mr. David said that!” This warmed Olivia’s heart, but she was focused on the community children that she’d been gifted to love and serve. Unbeknownst to us we would soon discover that this shared passion for the wellbeing of children created a safe environment for true friendship to grow. It was further enhanced by our both having the same boss…Olivia’s father! Yes, it’s really true that Paul Green has a reputation for being a bit demanding which ensured that we would be force to spend a LOT of time together. And so we became really good friends! We even made a pact that if we reached the age of 40 and we weren’t married that we’d just set a date and marry each other. Thankfully we didn’t have to wait that long! Despite, David finishing school and landing his dream job and Olivia having to take a more active part in caring for her Grandmother, the friendship continued and Olivia found herself advising David about life choices, and he found himself comforting her when illness and finally death invaded her life. It was easy for us to be there for each other because we began to realize that we’d become best friends. Of course Lil Paul’s demand for more and more Mr. David time began to foster a sense of familiarity between the three of us. We were a posse’ of three and it felt right. We assumed that this would continue to be a special but platonic relationship. However, our parents and extended family members began to ask the obvious; “what about Olivia?” and “what about David?” So after sincere prayers and conversations with his Mom, David realized that he loved his BEST friend and became determined to make her his wife. After putting his charm offensive into action, it didn’t take long before Olivia’s defensive walls began to come tumbling down. We’ve been very fortunate to receive the blessings of both families and on April 18, 2023 David got down on one knee in front of total strangers and told Olivia “Love is a decision, and I’ve decided to love you for the rest of my life.” With the most beautiful smile Olivia said “YES!” Now we are about to begin the JOURNEY of our lives and we are so excited that all of you will have a part in it. We know that it won’t always be easy but with The Lord’s help we are determined to take it one day at a time. Is it any wonder that GLAD means so much more to us than it ever did before? Of course there will be lots of Adventures and Days of Learning but it’ll also mean that we are humbled to exclaim that: G-God’s L-Love A-Amazes & D-Delights us David’s Favorite Bible Verse “I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭11 MSG Olivia’s Favorite Bible Verse: “This is God’s Message to Zerubbabel: ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says God-of-the-Angel-Armies. ‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are…” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭MSG‬