THE BEGINNING OF OUR FOREVER

When I first met Lakin, it was at my first Holiday Youth Convention. (HYC) His family and him had moved to our church not too long before, but I didn't notice him until then. I just remember meeting our youth group near the conference rooms of the convention center, and looking up to see this red-headed boy, and wondering who he was. It was several months later, on a church bus on our way to church camp, that I really got to know him. My best friend (Cazia Brown) and I were determined to make this shy, new red-head talk. We turn around simultaneously and bombard him with our loud, obnoxious selves, trying to figure out who he was. We decided to play the quiet game, and it became his goal to get out first and then make us laugh to get us out. That was the last time we had talked for a while until we both joined Intermediate Bible Quizzing. Our teams had all become best friends then, and a crush had actually began to develop. When Lakin and his family had moved churches, we really had lost contact and it wasn't until a few years later when we reconnected over Fourth of July and fireworks. I sat down by Lakin on the steps of his church's kids building, nervously making conversation. I knew I couldn't let him go without getting his number, so I told him, we couldn't be friends unless we stayed in contact. 4 years later here we are; the 12 year old kids who were best friends turned into 20 year old best friends, who love each other, and have decided to spend the rest of their lives together. - Michaela

I drove Michaela to a local flower field where we would be able to pick our own wild flowers. We had also planned on getting pictures before she left for college again, but little did she know that this was THE day. On the way there, I got an ear full about how much she wanted to be engaged, and kept asking why I was still waiting, all the while in my pocket was her ring. After composing herself and determining in her mind that it wasn't happening for a while, we arrived. Michaela and I walked around with a bucket and some scissors, and began picking flowers while pictures were being taken. It was a hot and sweaty day, and by the time we were about to finish up, the photographers (Logan and Jenny Cooper) wanted us to "pose for one last picture." Michaela was looking one way, while I got on one knee behind her, unbeknownst to her. I couldn't wait any longer and so I called her name, and when she turned around, her face lit up like fireworks. Soaking in all the excitement, we took more pictures, and had our moment to ourselves before heading towards the car. While driving, she was on such a high of what had happened that she didn't even realize where we were headed. We then pulled into a restaurant called Tacos4Life, our first date spot, where friends and family were waiting to congratulate us (her). All in all, the night was perfect. - Lakin, 07/27/2021