We met in May of 2024 in the least expected (but most divinely-orchestrated) way halfway across the world in Bangkok, Thailand. Keely was serving as a missionary at LifePoint Church Bangkok for six months, and Garrett came over with a small team for a one-week mission trip. Little did we know, a week of painting walls, playing Uno, and worship rehearsals would turn into something a little more permanent. Keely proudly beat Garrett at Uno almost every night (which she still won’t let him forget). And one evening, she followed the sound of music upstairs at the church, only to find Garrett practicing for a worship night. She sat quietly on the stairwell, just listening to him sing "It Is Well"... and something in her heart clicked. By the time the team was painting a room together later that week, it was obvious something was beginning. The only two people laughing, talking nonstop, and mysteriously always painting next to each other? Us. From that point on, we stayed in touch, talking over the phone for hours and hours while Keely finished her time in Thailand. When she got back to the States, we went on our first date just two nights later... and we’ve been together ever since! From Uno battles to stairwell listening to long-distance FaceTimes, God’s hand has been in this story from the beginning. And now, we can’t wait to step into what’s next together.
The proposal was a full-circle moment....like, literal full circle. Just over a year after we met in Bangkok, Thailand, Garrett got down on one knee in the exact same place where it all began. From the fairy light-lined pathway to the location being at the place we met to the song “It Is Well” playing in the background (yes, the same one Keely heard him singing that first week), everything was thoughtfully, beautifully... us. But it didn’t stop there. After Keely said “yes!" Garrett led her downstairs to find all their Bangkok friends and church family waiting to cheer, hug, and celebrate at a surprise engagement party. It was the best kind of overwhelming. The night ended at one of our favorite spots, the Abandoned Mansion Jazz Bar, where Garrett jumped up for open mic night and crushed a couple songs. It was joyful, meaningful, and so very us. A night we’ll never forget.