That's been a difficult thing to remember over the years, that God's timing is perfect, but He's shown Himself so richly in our relationship since the beginning...there's no denying it. Brian and I have been good friends for 8+ years. We have 8 kids between us 😳 and most of them are close in age. School functions, kid pick-ups, Brian coaching our boys in football, Kroger....we always seemed to be in the same places. There was always an excitement to see each other, even if it was across a gymnasium or the meat department for a moment😂. We'd catch up and go our separate ways, but the days after those encounters would leave us wondering.... Life doesn't always work out the way we plan for it to. Enter God. We make decisions that take us in certain directions and sometimes they're right, and sometimes we make disasters that look like all hope is gone for "normal" life. Isaiah 61:3 says; He gives a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. This is what we have been experiencing during our entire relationship. We knew night 1, simply sitting on my front porch talking until 3 a.m., that we had just stepped into something that was far bigger than just what we wanted. We've said for months on end that not only did God give us all the desires of our hearts in each other, but he also showed us a lot of things we didn't know we needed, too. Neither of us wanted to date someone with kids...but we've both fallen in love with our really big crazy bunch! And what's more miraculous, they all love each other! The thoughts of future holidays and major life events with a family this size excites us! This beautiful thing that God has blessed us with is not taken for granted. We thank God daily for each other, for our family, and for the things we don't deserve. Let this be a reminder that He has a plan, a perfect plan. Please come celebrate his goodness and the love we have for each other!