We're getting married!

Rob and I had been at the same Kaleo Project in the summer of 2015, I was a participant and he was a D-Group Leader. However, neither of us remember the other and I'm pretty positive we did not even talk to the other. It wasn't until the next spring that we actually had a conversation. My friend Maddie and I decided to go to our Zeta formal late in the game and we were wanting dates but obviously most of our guy friends were already going to the different socials that weekend. Thinking we were out of luck, our friend Kim told us to ask the Tulsa guys! So I did and Rob being the amazingly kind guy he is decided to go to a different university's formal with a girl he barely knew. That night I realized how fun he was and we started becoming good friends. Over the summer I noticed how great of a leader he is, I got to see his kindness and compassion to everyone around him, and I was able to see his heart toward God. I wasn't planning on dating anyone and tried to push aside my crush for Rob but I honestly couldn't help myself. A couple of weeks after we got back from Kaleo Rob called and asked me if he could take me out on a date, and regrettably I said no. But Rob being the amazing, tenacious, well spoken guy he is, ended up talking me into going on the date! From there on Rob and I have experienced a lot of amazing adventures together. He has seen the worst sides of me. The sides of me that I wish he didn't have to see but because I'm a human and a sinner he has. I am not the loveliest at times but Rob always reminds me how lovely Christ sees me. I am not the kindest person but even when I am frustrating Rob meets me with kindness. Going across the country and across the world with Rob I have come to realize how lucky I am to love a man so in love with Christ. I met my best friend on the beach in Florida, I told him I loved him on a rooftop in Hyderabad, India and I said yes to spending the rest of my life with him on the same beach where it all started. God is sweet.

The first interaction I can recall with Kenzie came in the form of an invitation (via text), from a number I didn’t recognize, to join her at her sorority’s formal. I recognized her name, but I had to check other sources to see if she was who I thought she was. Her attempt to apologize for inviting me on such late notice really just made it sound like I was her last choice. So, with that boost of confidence, I was off to party with a bunch of people I didn’t know, including my date. Luckily, things got better from there. After a round of awkward pictures, I finally got to really talk to her. We connected in a way that helped me to have fun in the face of a situation that could’ve been pretty uncomfortable. Over the next few months at our campus ministry’s summer project, I had the privilege of seeing what a beautiful woman Kenzie is inside and out. It didn’t take long for me to decide to ask her on a date, but then I had to wait… no new relationships during the project. I have to admit that I did toe the line along the way to get extra time with her here and there. Somehow nervous and confident at the same time, I called her up as soon as I was able to finally ask her on a date, but it turned out she had already decided not to date for the semester to focus on school and ministry among other things. Somewhat shocked, but not willing to give up just yet, I somehow convinced her to reconsider for a single date. I pulled out all the stops and thought it went really well, so afterwards I asked her on a second date, and she said, “maybe.” Needless to say, we did go on a second date, and things got much better after our shaky start. God has shown us incredible grace by putting people and situations into our lives that have caused us to grow tremendously in our relationship with one another and our faith in Him. She never fails to impress me with her faith, personal strength, and heart. I’m so lucky that we get to be partners and best friends for the rest of our lives.