Most people don’t know that we met when we were both tiny toddlers, at the Marion Church of God where both our parents attended at the time. Fast forward to many years later and we saw each other for the first time again at Broadway Coffeehouse for a game night. Years passed, and we grew to be good friends with each other and our siblings. We would hang out with each other’s families and play games, pick blueberries, go on beach trips, and talk with each other about seemingly everything. We both had a high respect and appreciation of our friendship with the other person, but never in a million years thought we would date each other. It all changed when Blake picked up Cecily and I and drove us to Portland to attend a swing dancing class. Blake asked me to dance and Frank Sinatra’s “Just the Way You Look Tonight” was playing. I still remember that moment; everything changed between us! A month later, on May 4, 2019, we went on a group hike with friends and little did I know Blake was planning on asking me out. And I said yes! The next year of dating was filled with adventures, laughter, crying, praying for each other, spending time with friends and family, and ultimately encouraging each other to grow in God. We talked about getting married early on and would dream together about our future. On July 25, 2020, Blake took me on a nearly 4 hour road trip to Crater Lake and proposed overlooking the beautiful crystal blue lake. Of course I said I would marry my best friend! We are both so thankful to our Lord Jesus for how much He has used our relationship so far for personal growth for each of us. We have learned so much about how God loves us, his imperfect children, through loving each other. We have pushed each other in our relationship with the Lord, and to grow in areas where one of us is stronger than the other. We are so excited to begin our lives together and know that what we have been through so far is only a tiny glimpse of what God has waiting for us.