mawwiage.

Douglas Manor 545 Chelsea Springs Drive, Columbiana, AL, 35051 Attire: Dressy Casual

Emma and I got to know each other through a Church summer project that I led in Amherst Massachusetts. I had always thought she was cute but I was in a leadership role, so I wasn’t really in a position to be scheming to date. We also never really crossed paths. So I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know her! Well, my time had come because she decided to come along to Amherst for the summer. (Though keep in mind, I was not allowed to ask anyone on a date that was in the college ministry) So I honestly kept it that way. I tried to stay pretty distanced and fortunately for me, she would always be the one to volunteer to drive me different places. We had 3 cars for 6 people, so we had to share a lot. We steadily got to know each other, and had a couple interactions that stuck with both of us. After the summer I was praying that I would have the opportunity to ask her on a date. Because my ministry role was changing and I would officially be allowed to ask her. I would send her random videos that I thought were funny. Sincerely because she was the only person that would also think they were funny. (We are pretty weird haha) We all met on campus for lunch one day, and I just kept praying that God would do something to help me ask her. After lunch I was hoping we’d get the chance to walk together alone. And we did! I got SUPER nervous and am even nervous just thinking about it! We were standing on the corner of the street and just talking before she walked to get in her car. Then boom, a rain drop hits me. Then another, and another. I have no earthly idea of what we were talking about because I was thinking completely about how the moment was slipping out of my hand. It started pouring. She said she had to go study and I said “good luck!”. What an idiot. I walked away so disappointed in myself. I missed it. But God gave us that moment very clearly and He could do it again! So I prayed, “Please give me another chance!” And He did.

I needed a ride to the airport in Atlanta, and I hoped that she would be able to take me. I texted our summer group and asked for a ride. No one responded for a while and then Emma did! “I can take you” I was praying that she would show up alone. Last time she had people ride with us, which is super honorable. But I really needed that not to happen again. Haha! So the next day she shows up . . . it’s just her! We had such a good time in the car, just talking and joking. I wanted to ask her on a date right then. But I thought she might say no! And how horrible would it be to ride in the car with someone you don’t want to date right after you deny them! I waited until I got into the airport and through security. I wanted to call her and ask, that way, she could have plenty of space to say no. Expect the worst and you never get disappointed! (Not a great motto, but that's for sure what I was thinking) I got through security and it was time to call her. I kid you not, I sat with my phone open with her phone number on the screen ready to call for 30 mins. The screen would dim, and I would wake it back up. 30 minutes would pass with my thumb hovering above the call button. Then I finally did it. We talked and she gave me an emphatic yes! I could finally breathe. I was so excited for our new relationship to start. Funny enough she actually called me back like 5 mins after and thanked me for asking her and just wanted to make sure that I actually asked her on a date, because she “blacked out when I asked” (makes sense if you know her haha) She kept telling me she was so excited. Which was huge for me. I needed that affirmation, and today I am so grateful for her thoughtfulness in that way. I’m so thankful for the way our relationship started, and how it has grown to where it is. Our commitment to each other is so much stronger because of what God has done in it. I love Emma so much and I am thankful for her in my life. Her kindness and compassion keeps my heart so full. God has truly blessed me in giving me a life together with Emma.

Jonathan actually completely surprised me when I found out he wrote about our story on our website. So, naturally, I felt inclined and delighted to share my perspective of our story. It's pretty special. Jonathan and I met when I was a junior in college while he was leading a church summer project team. He was, and is, planning to plant a church in Amherst, MA. He felt directly told (ask him about it sometime, it'll rock your heart's socks off) by God to go to Massachusetts but had never spent any time in this unknown land. So, he gathered together a mismatch bunch of college students for the summer. I IMMEDIATELY liked him. I didn't know anything about him so maybe I can't say that...BUT I was interested in him. He was so cute (the cutest boy I have ever known) and really funny. 2 great things! Here's the thing, though, it appeared to me that every other girl in Auburn felt the same way so I actively forced myself to not entertain the thought. Had 2 emotionally boycott it. Once we got to Amherst, though, the feelings only grew. I remember driving in the car and he played Jon Bellion and I was shocked. I feel like everyone knows some Jon Bellion songs but he played and knew the OLD stuff and the classic stuff and those were the songs I loved...which no one else that I knew (except Maggie Blanks) knew and appreciated as much as I did. It was a crazy moment for my young little heart. As the summer continued, my feelings grew as we spent more time together with the team. Our humor is quite similar and he always understood what I was joking about when I was joking. That isn't easy to find for a gal as odd as me. We also had a few conversations in the local laundromat, Share Coffee, AutoZone and the Sunshine Shack that deepened our friendship and helped us get to know one another better. All this being said, I had ZERO clue he liked me back. There would be small moments here and there but then I was like "noooo, there's no way" and then I would keep on trucking. The summer ended, my feelings remained strong, but there was no clarity. When we got back to Auburn, we communicated here and there but it was only ever enough for me to be the most confused. Was I reading into it? Did he like me? The options were endless. I had no clue. Until one beautiful fateful day. Sweet Jonathan needed a ride to the airport and I resisted. I stood my ground and waited to see if anyone in our Amherst group would volunteer. Not a soul. Tumbleweeds. Crickets. I finally said I could and life has never been the same since. Now, we're getting married! It's been a wild and unexpected last couple of years. I can see now, not a single part of it has ever been wasted or without deep meaning. Lots of growth, lots of change, lots of hardship along the way. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING has had a purpose and a plan for each of our own lives and now our lives being brought together as one. I'm deeply thankful for the confidence and affirmation we've been given that this gift is good and exactly what He has planned for us. That's a great foundation to start on in my little ole book. Jonathan is quite certainly my favorite. I have never known a love like his. It's real, it's committed, it's deep, and it's warm. I feel increasingly confident in how great a gift it is that he'll be my teammate on this earth. It's an extreme honor and blessing. I love him so much I might just pass out.