It all started when Hazel went to visit her best friends at James Madison University, one weekend in October 2022. Hazel noticed this tall, dark, and handsome friend of theirs at a tailgate . They (very) briefly met and she saw him at church the next day. Unfortunately, their paths didn't cross again until 6 months later, when Hazel's friend Clare and John's friend Mike got married. The night before her wedding, Clare informed Hazel that her and Mike decided that John LaRock was "the one" for Hazel. Hazel was skeptical but excited. Which is why she again noticed the handsome usher (John) helping move chairs after the ceremony. During the reception, Hazel's sister and John's friend conspired to get them to connect. Thankfully, after lots of dancing, they did. John struck up a conversation on the side of the dance floor and they talked about their families, jobs, and churches, realizing they had lots in common. After the wedding, Hazel watched on as John stayed to clean up, hoping he would ask her on a date. Thankfully he did. In front of Hazel's friends and family, who acted like they weren't watching this encounter, they exchanged numbers and agreed to get coffee before Hazel headed off to camp for the summer the next week.

John took Hazel on a first date, but he knew she was going away for the whole summer, and she would live 3 hours away from him when she got back. He was torn. Hazel didn't feel pursued. It was a mess. But praise God, the story didn't end there! John did his best to stay in touch with Hazel over the summer. On July 20th, 2023, Hazel received a call that changed her life. John told her that he had been praying about her for weeks. He apologized for not pursuing Hazel like the Lord calls a godly man to pursue a woman. He told her all about what the Lord was teaching and showing him, and how much he admired her character. He asked Hazel if he could come to Lynchburg to see her when she got back. Hazel agreed. Two weeks later, there was John, at Hazel's front door with flowers. John found his way back to Hazel's house the next day and made his intentions clear: with Hazel's permission, he was going to pursue her heart in a godly manner. He was never going to let her go again. From then on, John made the 3 hour drive often, sleeping on Hazel's generous friend's couch each weekend. He pursued Hazel with intentionality and kindness. His actions matched his words. He took steps to grow spiritually with Hazel. It took time, but Hazel's heart grew fonder of John by the day, and the Lord kept giving her confirmation. In November of 2023, John asked Hazel to be his girlfriend and she agreed. John introduced Hazel to his big family that Thanksgiving and she fell in love with them as well. The Lord's hand is so present in our story, and we are so grateful and excited to begin our life together, with a mission of honoring and serving Jesus as husband and wife.