The one whom my soul loves.

I would regularly eat lunch at the “Chi Alpha table” in the Falcon Center between classes at Fairmont State, and occasionally this guy named Benji would come by and ask me a bunch of questions. It wasn’t long before I found myself walking to the Chi Alpha table hoping he would be there. And one day when he asked me about all the books I was reading in my literature classes and listened intently as I thoroughly explained the entire plot of each, I realized that he had to feel the same way. When he asked me out to dinner one Sunday morning after church, I anxiously said yes. I had a good feeling about Benji so far, but I was not quick to open up to him. The first time he asked me to be his girlfriend, I said “not yet,” but no matter how long I asked him wait to date me, to kiss me, to marry me, he was willing to wait. Although patience isn’t always easy for him, I am continually amazed by his patience with me, knowing that what God has called us to is worth waiting for. I spent many days and nights in prayer asking God to show me Benji’s heart, to show me who he really is at his very core. I can truly say this prayer is answered daily because Benji is one of the most sincere, genuine, honest, and straightforward people I know. God has shown me that he has a gentle, kind, and humble heart, full of repentance and a desire to follow the Lord. As we learned to pray together each night on the phone, and as I prayed on my own for guidance, I saw that God was asking me to marry this man. And to do so is truly my greatest honor.

I had no idea at the time that someone I was playing an innocent game with would eventually become my wife. I will say, at that time, I knew Chi Alpha was for me. As I formed relationships with some guys with Chi Alpha, I would have weekly life group where we would have conversations about out relationships and crushes within Chi Alpha (yes, guys do frequently have conversations about these things). I remember mentioning that I thought this girl with pretty, curly hair was cute. My fellow life group members helped me build up the courage, and when Charlie gave me an Ultimatum, I eventually did ask her out on a date after church. I remember that day so vividly. I even texted her before church and asked her if she wanted to sit next to me like a nervous teenager who had a crush on a girl in youth group. I was filled with excitement and nervousness when she said yes. When went on our first date, I wanted to make sure this relationship was built on a firm foundation where we put God before our relationship, not after. We talked in full about our intentions for the relationship (eventual marriage) and boundaries we needed to put up to keep our relationship one that pleases God. Our first couple dates, we watched Mike Todd’s Relationship Goals series (I recommend every person watch this series). As we grew closer, I knew that this woman was the one I wanted to marry. We had many conversations about how long was acceptable until I asked her to marry me and her answer was always a year, I knew she was the one long before a year, but I waited. When I bought the ring, I lost my patience and asked her to marry me that Saturday. She said yes and here we are. We decided to set our date for May 22nd, 2021, and I am happy we did, but I truthfully could have gotten married the day after the proposal. My parents always told me to find myself a beautiful God-fearing woman, and I can honestly say that I found myself one that I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with.