Johnny and I met for the first time in January 2020. He’ll tell you he doesn’t remember it very clearly. He met a lot of people that night. I, however, remember it as clearly as crystal. My friend Cydney was turning 24, and after a make-your-own pizza party (I brought pineapple), a bunch of Orlando friends went to celebrate at my favorite place for cocktails, Guesthouse. When I got there, all of my friends had spilled into the parking lot to chat, and I immediately noticed someone I didn’t recognize. I beelined to make an introduction (happy to welcome a cute stranger), and I met Johnny: a friend of a friend who was visiting from Greenville. Bummer, I thought — far away! We chatted for the next 20 minutes or so, and I was interested. He was engaging and likable, and to be honest, I don’t get interested in people often. I thought my sentiments were returned because he found me later to hug me goodbye. He doesn’t remember this. (Note: We each had one drink.) As it turns out, he’s a big goodbye-er. I now tease him for saying goodbye to everyone at a party before stepping out the door. (I much prefer the Irish way.) Our first goodbye was likely his polite, southern roots at play, but I’ll always remember it as a nod in my direction. I thought we really hit it off. He did, too. Next, I told a few friends about the cute boy I met. Notably, I made sure Johnny’s Orlando friends knew I was interested in him. Now, fast forward one year. If you’ve been under the First Pres Orlando angel wing, picture this there. Johnny’s friend’s wife, Anna Bret Mitchell: “Do you remember JD’s friend Johnny?” Me: “Yah!” *Heart rate increases* Anna Bret: “I saw him at a wedding a few weeks ago, and he’s visiting again next month. I wanted to do something fun, and it would be very casual. Would you ever be open to a set up?” Obviously, the rest is history. Johnny visited, and I wasn’t expecting much. He was probably humoring his friends! To my pleasant surprise, we had a lovely first date on a Saturday morning in Winter Park: Barnie’s Coffee for breakfast, touring the Morse Museum, and picking out a gift at the farmer’s market for his hosts. Three hours passed, and they went so well my head was spinning. He asked to see me again at the end of the date. “I don’t want to be forward but I don’t live in Greenville… I mean Orlando! And I’d like to see you again.” We went on another date the next day: breakfast and a walk around Lake Adair (and much to my surprise, a first kiss!). After that, we just kept dating. I felt a lot of promise from the beginning. How could I not?? He was so charming. In a journal entry from our second visit, Johnny wrote, “I think I just met my wife.” (I learned this MUCH later.) Of course, there have been unexpected twists and turns in the last two years, like all relationships. In the midst of many months together, we cried lots of tears, made lots of phone calls, and had lots of fun adventures (long distance meant we traveled a lot). Notably, we closed that distance and moved me to Greenville this past May, which also involved tears, phone calls, and fun adventures. Some of our favorite times have been introducing each other to people who are special to us. If you’re reading this, you’re special to us, too. Johnny remains one of the most open-hearted and patient people I know, and he refuses to let me forget how much he loves me. I like our story. It’s sweet, wrapped in people we care about, enriched by their friendship, and woven with the things that make us human: joy, pain, confusion, hope!… Primarily, I’m thankful Johnny and I both trust the author of all stories. They are better when we don’t write them ourselves. As we pledge our lives to each other (can’t wait to see you there), sharing a faith in Jesus is our greatest comfort. We’d go so far as to say it’s the most exciting part. See you soon!! Lindsay & Johnny