Rachel and I were good friends at first. What started as a friendship on Facebook soon would turn into a life long commitment with my best friend. Rachel and I started off not pursuing an intimate relationship. We wanted to be friends. Deep down since the beginning we both felt that us meeting wasn’t a coincidence and that there was or would be something more. We just had to be patient as well as trust and follow Holy Spirit to lead. We did exactly that and built a foundation of friendship before we pursued a romantic relationship. Everything lined up perfectly the night we told each other how we felt. That night at Friendsgiving, I just knew something great was going to happen. I could feel it, and of course Rachel looked beautiful as always. Before I left I was stopped by our mutual friend Raymond and we spoke for a few minutes. I had no idea that in those moments Holy Spirit was confirming to Rachel to walk up to me so we could talk in my car. She was so nervous and beautiful and cute like always. We were so relieved when we both felt the exact same way. It felt like a weight was lifted off of our shoulders that night. That night I knew I had found who I would spend my life with. It’s my prayer that God would use us and guide us in everything that we do.

Our story started as a friendship. A friendship with no agenda, but to simply enjoy becoming good friends. Photoshoots, concerts, hikes, and food. We just enjoyed our friendship. Throughout our friendship we both started to realize God was placing something more on our hearts, but we both decided to be prayerful about where things were going and be obedient to God’s timing. On November 18, 2018, some friends and I hosted a “Friendsgiving.” David was there. On that day, I felt strongly that David needed to hear what I felt God was showing me about him. But I was too nervous. After the party was pretty much over and the last few people were leaving, I walked out with my friend Nadia and told her how nervous I was. She said “let’s pray about it” and while we were praying, another friend decided to stop and talk to David outside. I said to myself “if they stop talking when she stops praying, I will go over there” and the moment she said “amen” their conversation ended. So I walked over to David’s car. He said “do you want to get in and talk?” I barely said a word, because I was too nervous. So, David told me all of what he was feeling and how he believed God brought us to eachother. It was all the same things I was feeling. From then we have been together loving eachother and pursuing the calling God has on our life together.

The whole process of planning how I was going to ask Rachel to marry me was really fun. I didn’t want it to be crazy or showy. I wanted it to be simple and memorable; which it was. It was pouring rain! The best part was it was at the location where we first met. Rachel and I first met in downtown Frankfort IL. And that’s where I wanted to ask her; with our closest friends and family. Her parents and I did recon on the location a week before and planned the whole thing. Overall it made for a memorable day that we’ll never forget filled with memories, laughs and love.