We're Getting Married!

Ben and Liz met online in January while Liz was riding out the pandemic in Ohio (with plans to return to DC), and Ben was living in DC. After some talking over text and the phone, Liz broke the news that she was moving to California for a new job. Ben was disappointed, as he had asked God for just one thing: the chance to meet Liz, and felt his prayer had gone unanswered. Fast forward a couple of weeks later, Liz reached out to Ben to offer up a couple of DC girlfriends for him to date (he's a catch!). Ben was so impressed with the offer and her opinion of him, that he knew then he had to do something. He sweetly and respectfully declined the offer with the reply "I don't want your friends, I want you." Liz found herself not only flattered by his honesty, but feeling very much the same way. Unfortunately, schedules didn't align in time for Ben and Liz to meet before she headed out west. However, Ben and Liz couldn't shake the feeling that there was something special between them and that perhaps God was orchestrating something beautiful.

Many texts and phone calls turned into Facetimes, until Ben and Liz finally decided it was time to meet in person. So he made the long journey from Washington DC to California to meet Liz face to face. Liz waited for Ben in the baggage claim at the Oakland airport and when they finally met and hugged, Ben realized that his prayer to meet Liz hadn't been unanswered - just delayed. Ben and Liz spent the weekend hiking the hills of Oakland, riding bikes through San Francisco, swapping stories, and sharing food. By the end of the weekend, both Ben and Liz felt that they had met for a reason. They had a long chat about what long distance could look like and decided the relationship was worth whatever effort it would take. From that point on, they were officially dating!

After several weeks of long-distance, Liz proposed coming out to DC so they could spend the summer together. Of course Ben loved the idea, and thanks to remote work, one of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was possible for both of them. This special time was dedicated to meeting friends and family, traveling for weddings, working out together, working from home together, going to church to watch Ben sing and play bass, teaching Liz how to play volleyball, and falling in love with each other. It quickly became clear that they worked well together and complimented each others' strengths and weaknesses. While attending a friend's wedding in Vermont, Ben and Liz snuck away for a romantic dance in the rain. He knew he wanted to marry Liz for a while, and asked Liz how she felt about the idea of having their own wedding. She knew in her heart that she wanted to marry Ben - not only did she love Ben, but she had seen God confirm this multiple times through answered prayers throughout their relationship - and told him she was ready to marry him and start a life together as soon as possible.

When considering how and when to propose, a lot of ideas flew threw Ben's head. He turned to God for guidance, and quickly thereafter it came to him: it had to be on July 8. You see, Ben first met Liz on April 8, and they had already determined the wedding date would be October 8, and he wanted the day right in the middle of that to be special to them both. After taking Liz ring shopping and finding just the right one, Ben was ready to propose. So, on the night of July 8, Ben suggested to Liz that they take an evening walk. Liz was working late and just distracted enough to be unsuspecting of Ben's plan. It was raining, so they huddled under an umbrella and made their way to the National Mall. Ben took her to the steps of the reflecting pool in front of the US Capitol, and told her how important that spot was to him. It was there, when he first visited DC, that he stood gazing at the Capitol and down the National Mall and decided that was where he wanted to be. And it was in that same significant spot that Ben knew he wanted to make the next big important step in his life. He dropped to one knee, pulled out the ring, and asked Liz to marry him. With a heart full of joy, Liz quickly answered yes, and the engagement began! Ben and Liz have seen God work throughout their relationship, and are grateful to Him for bringing them together. They are excited to see where God takes them together next!