V & M

Yep. You read that right.. Michael was 30 minutes late to our first date. Like most modern love stories these days - it started with a swipe. Victoria made it quite difficult to coordinate schedules in order to meet but the two made it work. They agreed to meet for coffee at a cute coffee shop in Dana Point, CA called Bear Coast. Michael was running behind because he was "helping a friend" & Victoria (who is always very timely) was ready to BOUNCE. Praise the Lord- after a friend talked her off the ledge of leaving, she was left with the advice "stick it out, you've been so excited about this guy, who knows what could happen" the two spent HOURS over looking the water and talking about everything and nothing.. he even took his shirt off (don't worry, it was just to show a tattoo). It went so well that we already had our second date planned by the time we left. From dates at the golf range, pool hall, bonfires, and a walk through the lights we knew this was something special. Michael talked about how he typically moves quickly in relationships & Victoria was the opposite- Michael reassured her that he would go as slow as needed. Right after Victoria told Michael she wanted to take things slow, she tried to plant a wet one on him & he respectfully denied her kiss and audibly said "OHHHHH". So embarrassed, Victoria quickly got in her car and tried to drive off quickly, her car headlights showed Michael walking back towards her car & Victoria was hopeful that he was coming back for a kiss. But, instead, he came back to say "my car is kinda far, can you give me a ride?" After a few more weeks of taking things slow, Victoria was over it so she gave Michael a mistletoe for Christmas & don't worry, he got the hint this time. Time flew from there- meeting each others families, saying I love you (Victoria said it first), a new job for Victoria, a new apartment for Michael, the loss of Michael's grandpa, bible studies, jumps in the ocean, golfing, playing pool, cooking, & lots of learning about each other. Victoria found herself designing an engagement ring (shoutout to Auston & La Vita Vital) & Michael found himself designing a proposal. At the same place where it all began, Michael re-created their first date: a table for two, over looking the water, with bear coast coffee. He popped the question & Victoria said YES!! There were a few cheers in the background and Victoria saw both Michael's and her family standing in a balcony of a house a few doors down of the neighborhood they were in. Michael, a few months prior, had asked the owners of that house if they would take part in hosting our families and allowing them to watch from their balcony & they said yes simply because "they loved love". The story of us will always be in bloom but for now, we couldn't have imagined it any other way. What a faithful & loving God we serve that had us in mind before the foundation of the earth knowing that Michael and I would find each other. Cheers to the soon to be Ferguson's!!!!!!