Imagine Being Invited.... oh Wait, You Are!

It was a spooky Halloween night; Levi clung to Josh for protection as they walked the great distance from the parking garage to the venue.... We were all going dancing on a rooftop in D.C. The night was to offer swing and salsa dancing, and a night to remember, but apparently, not people. There were many of us, and we were all dancing with each other, and yet Flynn Rider did not notice Daphne😬. However, that did not impede God's plan for our lives. He had established in us a drive for community with fellow Christians, and so a few months later we found ourselves in the same small group in bible study. It was here that we had the chance to witness each other's love for the Lord, and to grow to know each other spiritually. It would be two more years before dating even entered our minds, but baby steps, come on now. In October 2024, Levi found himself debating about attending a social event with his lighthouse small group, and so like any rational person, he texted his friends to first see if they were going. One of those people happened to be Daphne herself... Julia.... and she was not going 🫠. That, however, was the only thing God needed to open the door of conversation between the two of them. They proceeded to text endlessly for the next three months, while Levi attempted to decode and decipher the hidden hints and subtle texts. It was akin to reading hieroglyphics, many images and depictions, all of which used in different ways, and continually turning him about, just like the archeologists, he barely knew what was being said. Yet somehow, a single code managed to slip through... "if you want to get together and hang out, I'm free on the 5th, 8th, 13th, and 17th" **"You forgot about that murder mystery game night, where we basically barely played the game because we were so busy laughing and being engrossed in one another!" "Speak for yourself, I still managed to figure out the murderer!" "Yeah, after we guessed wrong!" "Hush... back to the story"** It was finally clear; it was time to strike. "Let's get together on the 8th" "Sounds like a plan". We met on the 8th, at Julia's apartment. Levi, knowing it was not a date, yet determined to not only ask her out but make a good impression, decided it would be wise to bring flowers and greet Julia with "I know this isn't a date, and were just friends but I thought it was criminal that you have never had someone bring you flowers before!" Julia felt a pit in her stomach.... This guy was a jerk, he had led her on and for nothing, whatever, they are nice flowers, let's just enjoy the day. Levi planned to wait until the end of their time together to ask her out, as to not ruin the day or make an awkward retreat.... Levi lasted 1 hour. Finally, he confessed his feelings, and asked her out, and she said yes. It was soon discovered that the pair could not go on an official date until two weeks... that was too long, so the pair agreed to make that day their first date and spent the entire day baking, watching movies, putting together Legos, playing games, and just talking and enjoying this open honesty that they had finally shared with one another. Time went on, days turned to weeks, weeks to months, and months to a year. Over the course of our time together, there have been ups and downs, moments of hardship and heartbreak, but also great love. Not just for each other, but for and from God. God has worked in both of our lives in such an incredible way, and we have not only grown closer to him through this relationship, but we have seen his character reflected more in ourselves and each other as we continue to become more and more aware of our desperate need for his salvation. What a wonderful gift we have in Christ, and what a blessing we have in each other. We continue to pray that God would work in our lives and use us to grow his kingdom. We ask that you too would continue to keep us in your prayers. We cannot wait to celebrate with you all and look forward to seeing you there!!!