Genesis 2:22

October 7th, 2020 was the day that marks the beginning of our story. We held our first interaction over the infamous social media app, tiktok. we began talking through tiktok, then gradually transitioned over to snap chat before having our very first phone call one week after our first interaction. In a moment that we regard as the best phone call ever, we connected through many laughs before discovering that we both had been seeing the number 222 for the last few years. I (Jessica) remember that being the exact moment when I knew something was different here. This was no coincidence, this was the Lord. However, it wasn't all so easy, Caleb was living all the way in south Texas while I was living in the city of Chicago on campus of my college, Moody Bible Institute. We went through various trials, unable to see the direction of our friendship through the same lens, leading us to dismissing our friendship for a brief time before rediscovering it at the end of December. In that period of time that we weren't talking, the Lord embraced us each individually to solidify identity and purge us of any false narrative we had about ourselves. The Lord prompted me to reach out more and begin connecting again. We recognized an immediate difference in our interactions at that point. We were both healthier and more confidant. We were constantly encouraging each other in what God was doing in our lives and everything just flowed so naturally. Without any preconceived ideas of what our relationship should look like, the Lord began to speak to us both in our own ways. He showed me a vision of our wedding (this was the only vision I had ever received from the Lord), and for Caleb He spoke very clearly to him in his quiet time. Neither of us communicated these things to one another because God had us wait. After more time of talking went on, we decided to start praying about our relationship and what God had for us. On January 30th we finally communicated to each other what the Lord had been showing us privately, that we would be together. From there, we went about telling our families and our friends what God was doing. And finally, on February 20th, Caleb flew into Chicago from Corpus Christi, TX for a weekend introduction and our very first in-person interaction. We made our relationship official on February 22 (2/22) before my best friend (Shannon) and I flew down to the great region of South Texas to meet Caleb's family, friends and church community in Kingsville. TX. That trip was honestly a dream. After three months of long distance, Caleb packed up all his belongings. I took a flight to Texas alone to help him move up to Illinois! Caleb left everything he knew- his family, his church, his job, all so he could be close to me and start building our relationship. Our relationship although blessed by the Lord, held many difficulties as we were both still very afraid to be so vulnerable with someone again. God was so patient with us and faithful as always. He provided us with a good church community as well as family to disciple and counsel us. We were both being transformed and healed. on Christmas evening of 2021 Caleb proposed to me in the most beautiful and thoughtful way. He included all of my family and closest friends. Now we are just about two months away from stepping into this covenant of marriage and we could not be more excited! What we thought was not possible for either of us is now becoming our reality. So much hope, confidence, excitement, and readiness! We cannot wait to celebrate with you all on September 10th 2022!! Thank you to each person who has played such a special role in helping us become who we are today. Love you all!