I met Keenan a week before school officially started at Word of Life Bible Institute. I had arrived early for cross-country tryouts, and he was on campus serving on the maintenance team as an SRA. We happened to sit at the same table one day and introduced ourselves, but despite what people might expect, it definitely wasn’t love at first sight! As the semester began, we found ourselves in the same friend group. My friend Jordan and I became close through the cross-country team, and since she was dating Aidan—one of Keenan’s friends—we spent a lot of time together at church and hanging out with friends. At the time, I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I was focused on school, running, and simply enjoying the friendships God had given me. Everything changed when I broke my leg during cross-country season. Suddenly, I had to learn how to let people help me, which has never come naturally to me. Without ever being asked, Keenan became the person who was always there. He walked me to class through the hills, snow, and ice so I wouldn’t fall. He carried my things, helped me get my food, took me to the ER when my leg unexpectedly turned blue, helped me finish assignments, and never made me feel like I was a burden. Looking back, I don’t think I realized it then, but those small, everyday acts of kindness were showing me exactly who he was. I remember my friend Jordan asking me over and over if I liked Keenan. Every single time I confidently answered, “No.” But if I’m being honest, my heart was slowly beginning to notice him. What first drew me to Keenan wasn’t anything flashy—it was his character. I watched him love the Lord with his whole heart. I watched him serve others, not because anyone was watching, but because that’s simply who he is. One of the things I admired most was that his kindness wasn’t reserved just for me. He genuinely cared for everyone around him, and that spoke volumes about the kind of man he was becoming. One of the moments that meant the most to me happened in January 2024. Before asking me to be his girlfriend, Keenan drove six hours to Delaware to ask my dad for his blessing. It had always been important to me that the man I dated would honor my family in that way, and he never questioned it. He simply got in the truck and drove. That determination, humility, and respect are still some of my favorite things about him. Throughout our relationship, I’ve watched Keenan walk through incredibly difficult seasons while continuing to cling to the Lord. His faith has challenged and encouraged my own. He has listened when I needed someone to talk to, offered wisdom when I didn’t know what to do, prayed with me, supported me, and constantly pointed me back to Christ. When I look back, I’m so thankful that God didn’t write our story the way I expected. He gave me a best friend before He gave me a boyfriend. He taught me that love is found in faithfulness, quiet acts of service, and a heart that seeks Him first. I can’t wait to marry my best friend, finally be done with long distance, build a home together, serve the Lord side by side, and see all that God has planned for our future.

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