"You have not chosen one another, but I have chosen you for one another.”

Erynn often tells Hunter, "I liked you before I ever met you." Word had gotten around about Hunter, thanks in large part to how much he talked about himself to anyone who listened. His strict diet, his strict theological positions, his strict interpretations on media and culture and politics. It was his way or the highway and the highway was closed for repairs. When legend of his recalcitrance reached Erynn through a mutual friend, she was infatuated. No stranger to an independent lifestyle, Erynn’s life brimmed with exploring Minnesota’s natural beauty, developing her PhD work, and always saying “yes” to volunteer opportunities. A woman on the go, she wanted to meet this unmovable man. Could two people so caught up in being independent possibly find time to fall for each other? Only because God is so good to His children. They met at the North Church in Mounds View, MN, when Erynn introduced herself. She wore a green dress (Erynn says it was blue) and Hunter thought she was very cute. They shared a fascination with theology and politics, and Erynn kept Hunter in laughing fits with her quick puns. They talked about eating clean in a world full of seed oils, and she even pretended to not understand basic chemistry to get him talking about his favorite pre-workout powders (he never asked her what she was getting her PhD in). It felt RIGHT to Erynn. Hunter, in his very person, seemed to be an answer to her question of “what’s next?” after graduate school. Conversations with Hunter felt like being led down a path that she had been yearning to walk, one that was all at once familiar and novel, instructive and inspirational. Talking with him was not like talking to herself, but someone like herself. He gave voice to her abstract, half-formed thoughts that informed so much of her life. Strange how she felt she knew him so well after only a few meetings, and he had still never even asked for her name. Hunter, for his part, was stubborn and not quite ready to give up his bachelor routine. Six months passed and Erynn assumed he was not interested in her. She spent less time with him, and he cluelessly wondered what had changed. In October 2022 they found themselves together at a Halloween party. Hunter had just finished reading Stoker’s Dracula for the first time and was wearing Erynn’s ears out with hot takes about a 120 year old book. She took one last chance on him and asked to borrow his copy. They started talking more, and this time around they both were willing to bend. Faster than either of them expected, all of the activities and passions that seemed so important faded, and they took every opportunity to spend time together. All their friends were watching them and pushing Hunter to ask her out on an actual date. But he wanted to wait until after a month-long trip to Arizona had passed, rather than what he envisioned would be a few dates and then skipping town. But Erynn’s no-nonsense nature prevailed. She had been looking for God’s will in all the tumultuous feelings and unknowns. After learning that her mom had been covering both of them in prayer since the first mention of Hunter’s name, Erynn felt she needed to be honest with Hunter and then leave it in his hands. After a group movie night at Hunter’s house, he slipped off to make himself dinner (before his guests had even left!) and she followed. She confessed her affection for him and asked if he felt the same way. He did. Everything was brighter and more beautiful with Erynn near him. She was too precious to miss out on, and worth far more than a stubborn commitment to routine. They went out on their first date on January 25th of 2023. They were engaged on June 8th, 2024. They will be wed on October 18th, 2024. God continues to push them to love one another better, and He continues to make a way for them, to provide for them as He has provided them with each other, and we pray that He will bless them all the years of their life together.