I will meet the person I will fall in love with during a global pandemic said no one... ever. 2020 could have been a year marked by anxiety, fear or pain but instead, I will remember 2020 as when I met my Lisa. Where do I start this story? Do I begin with our first interaction in April on eHarmony? How about the multiple daily messages we would exchange as we were getting to know each other? I could mention our first phone call, where for 4 hours we talked about everything, and apparently nothing, because we proceeded to talk for at least 4 hours on each subsequent call. This was of course when I noticed that the birds would sing to Lisa while I was on the phone with her (and they only seem to sing when she is around). Or how about our first official date? 23 May 2020 at Watkins park... where we walked around and talked for just under 7 hours. I remember leaving the park that day thinking about how much I really liked her, and looking forward to our second date on 25 May 2020 in Frederick. I remember spending that following week, from 26-29 May constantly thinking about Lisa, looking forward to when I could see her again. I guess you could say that I knew from the start how special she is. The following 6 months were marked by many national parks, monuments, wonderful visits with each others families and friends, along with some hardship as her mom's health deteriorated. I guess I would say that through ups and downs, I love you Lisa, and I cant wait to marry you. Scott

I have an usual talent: keeping a conversation going for an unmeasured amount of time. Often, I don't require the participation of another human being! You'll imagine my surprise when I discovered Scott didn't need me to offer (hardly) any input in order for him to keep talking for several hours :) Intrigued. I needed to observe and know more. Scott is a skilled conversationalist and historian--he can talk thru names, dates, and places making sure his audience has sufficient details. I was pulled into his narratives. I enjoyed seeing facts breathed into existence as we'd walk thru historic homes, forts, cemeteries/memorials, and battlefields. I liked that Scott liked nature. COVID meant not meeting indoors; so we often were exploring parks, scenic fields, and quiet falls in quaint nooks amidst large boulders--Scott doesn't mind having plans change, nor did he complain about the restrictions of the pandemic I often sent sections of my bible readings via text early in the morning and late at night--Scott was eager to engage and encourage these correspondences around the Bible. Similarly to "where's Waldo," we often combed the passages together to discover God's heart and character--what a joy to be able to consider truth together! Being known and being a part of a community is a sweet longing that seemed even more precious throughout the duration of this pandemic. One of my fondest memories of our relationship was seeing him with all my siblings and their families for a full week in October. It was just how you would hope for the fall: perfect weather, yellow, red, and bright orange leaves in peak vibrant display. Everyone got to put their masks aside and enjoy close fellowship and embraces! Seeing him serve, joke, play, and be at ease with all my family (there are a lot of us) helped me consider a possible future with him. Scott, thank you for observing and caring for me in word and in action--I love you and can't wait to be yours ~Lisa #reversary