I can still feel the relief after hearing Matti's voice in Mr. Peck's zoology class during our sophomore year of high school. We had just been assigned to choose a partner for dissecting a shark, and I was nervous because I was the quiet church girl nobody wanted to pick. I was relieved because Matti had always made me feel safe and he was quick to whisper my name and suggest we should be partners. We weren't connected in the same friend group by any means, however, it was normal for us to chat when we ran into each other at church or when we went on youth group trips together. I bet he didn't realize then that 10 years later he'd be asking me again to be his partner but instead of dissecting a shark, we'd be dissecting life together. In 2015, six years after we had been zoology partners, Matti and I reconnected as we met up for coffee to talk about missions. We both carry a passion for people and loving them to a place of freedom and intimacy with the Father. We went our separate ways for a while and pursued missions individually. During our time apart, we both carried the desire to be with each other, however we were waiting on the timing to be right. In August of 2018, I prayed to the Lord asking him if I was released to pursue a relationship with Matti, and that same evening, the Lord gave Matti a dream about pursuing me again. In the last year we have shared stories from our personal journey's with the Lord, and have continued to dream together of what our lives as a couple can bring to the table of the Kingdom of Heaven.

THE PROPOSAL STORY The week of October 12th was a busy one, and while I had my suspicions, I didn't believe Matti had the time to propose to me with all the things we had going on. We had friends fly in from other states, I was finishing up classes for school, Matti was working alooottt of hours. However, Saturday morning i woke up early and had a slow morning. I suddenly had the urge to clean out my closet, so clothes were strung everywhere, my hair was greasy, and i still had my retainer in from the night before. My roommate Allison came into my room with a smile on her face and a note in her hand. The note was from Matti sharing that it was going to be a great day and to get ready for an adventure. I began freaking out saying' "OH MY GOSH IT'S HAPPENING! IS IT HAPPENING?! IT IS HAPPENING!" My note instructed me that I had an hour to get ready and to wait for a phone call, so I rushed around getting ready and trying to figure out what to wear. When my phone started ringing, the caller ID showed Matti was calling, but it was actually my best friend Emily Leyh from Minnesota! He had flown her to Georgia and set us up to have lunch together. The rest of the day Matti had planned a scavenger hunt where he: gave me a bonsai tree and a note that talked about relationships requiring curating and cultivation, time with friends to paint, rest, and dream with Holy Spirit, surprise adventures of kayaking across the lake, and finally getting to the cove where Matti was waiting for me. It was the most magical moment and I don't think I stopped smiling all day. Matti told me how much he loved me and desired to build a life with me and then he asked me to marry him and i said YES. Afterwards, Matti had an engagement party planned with all of our friends at an AirBnB where there was great food, conversations, twinkling lights, and feeling the most celebrated I've ever felt. It was the most magical day and makes me look forward to saying yes to Matti each and everyday.