We're Getting Married!

We met at Morehead State University in the Fall of 2021 at the “B” short for Baptist Campus Ministries during Welcome week (first week of the Fall semester) Michael's sophomore and Makayla's freshman year. We were acquaintances and often saw each other at BCM events and Bible studies which grew into a friendship. During Makayla's Junior year she was assigned to the social fellowship team at the BCM with Michael. While others were assigned to the team, most of the time it was just us working together. During this time we grew as close friends. During the Spring 2024 semester we went on the BCM Spring Break mission trip to Panama City Beach and it was after that trip that the idea that maybe Makayla could be more than just a teammate and friend, grew in Michael's heart. Over several months Michael was in deep prayer and observation for the Lord's direction. We continued hanging out, texting, and talking as good friends do for the rest of that semester and into the Summer. Even though we both worked at camps during the Summer we kept in touch as much as we could and made time to visit each other on occasional breaks, culminating in a trip to Kings Island in early August. After our Kings Island trip Makayla felt like something was different and began praying for confirmation in the Lord's direction. A week after Makayla began praying for direction, her prayer was answered. After months of prayer, Michael initiated dating after sharing the qualities he admired in Makayla as a virtuous woman. Both of us were afraid of damaging our friendship with the other and came to the firm agreement that we would always be friends and brother and sister in Christ no matter what. With this agreement we went on our first date in late August 2024 at Pops, a local restaurant in Morehead, and a second date closely followed at Rodburn park. We saw each other daily, served alongside one another in ministry, and commonly went hammocking at Eagle Lake, hiking at Lockegee Rock, and spent time outdoors in Rodburn Park. During dating we were very intentional in having a Christ centered relationship in seeing fitness for marriage. We went to a couple at our church in Morehead who we sought godly wisdom from to ask questions and for relationship counseling. Around early 2025 we began a formal Pre-engagement counselling, we later learned that it shared the same material as our churches Pre-martial counseling program. (sneaky, sneaky) The Lord worked immensely in our hearts and revealed His plan for our future. During the Summer of 2025 Michael and Makayla were away for 4 weeks as Michael was working at camp in Amelia, OH and Makayla was working on her Physician Assistant application. During this time, the Holy Spirit was placing a burden on our hearts simultaneously to have a conversation the next time we saw one another about our individual callings to servanthood and timeline of where the Lord was leading us. When we reunited on a date at Rodburn Park after a month of not seeing one another, we felt the Lord take hold of our conversation and it was apparent that He was leading us to union in marriage before we had predicted. We went to Laurel lake for Michaels birthday in July 2025 and that was when he finalized his decision and met with Makayla's father. Shortly afterwards Michael started searching for a ring. There were some issues with the mail causing it to be delayed multiple times. (Michael planned 4 proposals) Michael proposed on September 7, 2025 at Rodburn Park in Morehead where we had our second date and would commonly hike and hammock. Makayla said Yes! (Thank you mom for the flowers) We are getting married on December 20th! Afterwards Michael will finish his Masters at MSU and graduate in May of 2026 while Makayla attends Physician Assistants School Program in Morehead at the University of Kentucky. We are beyond thankful for all the Lord has done, is doing, and for what is to come.