How We Met

Question

In the Beginning: From Dylan

Answer

Before I met Karlie I was in a season that was certainly a test from God. I didn’t know what life held for me. I wasn’t sure that there was anyone out there that could love me and lift me up. Part of that was probably from my many failed dates.... well not many, but enough. I was pretty over dating and navigating apps. But one day, I had this stellar idea. Change the height settings to search for woman 5’11 and higher cause I always wanted a tall wifey. But honestly when I changed that I still didn’t have much hope. I was just playing the game to play it. However, immediately after I changed my height settings the most beautiful woman with the most gorgeous smile popped up. She had the Lord in her profile which was a huge green flag. So I sent her a rose on the app, which is feature that sends you to the top of their likes. I figured I had to do something cause I knew this girl had all the likes and I really wanted to stand out to her. I was really really hoping she’d notice me. It’s not often you find a girl like this and if you know Karlie, you know this to be true. She matched back with me shortly after, but my hopes were depleted again when I found out she was from Washington! I had always wanted to go there though, since I was a kid! We chatted for a bit and I knew she was leaving in the morning. Later that night sitting on my couch I felt this nudge, almost like a "you need to go meet her, now" nudge. So, I asked if she was up for it and to my surprise she was. Little did I know, acting on that nudge would be one of the best decisions I ever made. I would come to find out, I could have never found a girl like Karlie on my own, even if I'd searched to the ends of the earth. I know Who that nudge was from and I am so eternally grateful for His gift of Karlie's love.

Question

In the Beginning: From Karlie

Answer

I adore love stories. The details especially, minors and majors all building up to one of the greatest human experiences, love. I always believed I would have one of those great stories too. Around a year from meeting Dylan my whole world was being uprooted. I had just gotten back from helping with Hurricane Helene in NC, absolutely high on following Gods lead. Upon coming home, I lost my job, my car broke down, mine and Lindsey's house filled up with mold and at 31 I moved back in with my parents, and those are some light details. A tornado blew through my world. But, I knew God was the best at making miracles out of messes. After moving back into my parents I was chatting with Erika, one of my greatest friends. I said to her, "This sounds crazy, but I wont be surprised if when I'm moving out of my parents house I'm moving in with my husband." Did I have any prospects? Literally -3. I said, "Just you wait, by JB's wedding in Texas, something wild is going to happen." Fast forward and we are a week out from JB's wedding in Texas. Erika says to me, "Why not download Hinge for Texas?" I dramatically rolled my eyes and succumbed to Erika's idea noting I would ONLY download the app for the week in Texas. Well, a week into our Texas trip I was disheartened, genuinely sad. I had 24hrs before flying home and I was ticked at God. Pacing back and forth having an angry pity party, actually hollering at God. I mean no one from Texas had even liked my profile. AFTER A WEEK! Suddenly, my heart shifted. Still pacing, I began declaring God was doing a new thing, that my husband was an absolute fox, that he had had a soft heart towards God and a soft heart towards me. I felt this pang to check my location on the app. WELL, my location was still in Washington. With 24hrs left I changed my location to Dripping Springs. 10min later I was sent a rose from this absolute QT. With ZERO to lose I said, "Are you up for a rodeo? You never know, I could be the ride of your life"

Question

The Rodeo Begins

Answer

So, Lindsey Chris and I are in Texas going out to watch the UT game. I look down at my phone and Dylan says, "If you're going to be out much later, we could meet up." I look to Lindsey and Chris and ask if they are up for a spontaneous double date. Thankfully they were and we headed out to meet this guy. Walking out of the restroom in a downtown bar in Austin is where were I first saw Dylan. His profile didn't lie, he really was tall and so much better looking in person. We chatted and laughed obviously both nervous. But even with the nerves there was this weird ease between us. Something I hadn't felt before. Dylan's profile had been very God forward and Linds, Chris and I all planned to go to church before we flew out that next day. I asked Dylan if he minded us going to church with him, he didn't thankfully because you know I had to check out the church...some can be mighty red flags. His church reminded us of a smaller version of our home church in Washington and I grinned as we arrived noting Dylan had saved seats in the front. I am not a back of church gal. Not wanting our meet to end, we suggested lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon playing yard games. That same ease and feeling of having known each other much longer than we actually had. Upon leaving we both noted missing one another. I called Erika and said, "call me crazy, but I think I met my husband." 2 weeks later I was back in Texas, but this time, just for Dylan. The rest of our story has been a real life rodeo of navigating a relationship from 1700mi away. And I know to some it sounds crazy...and Dylan and I love that. We also know we wouldn't be here without the countless people who spoke life over us, invested in us, believed in us and fully loved us. We wouldn't be here without the goodness and faithfulness of God. And we wouldn't be here without the commitment Dylan and I share to building a marriage that testifies to all those things. Thank you for loving us and loving us well.