I was a Colorado native working as an ER nurse in Asheville, NC. Aaron was a sheriff deputy who would pick up at the hospital. To this day, we don't understand how our paths never crossed for almost 2 years- the first testament to God's timing in our story. I didn't know about Aaron until a friend told me, the night before we met, that there was a very nice, very cute, deputy who I should talk to. The next night, Aaron was in the area I was working, when all of a sudden, all my coworkers had ice-cream, my favorite dessert. When I asked a friend where she got her ice cream, she said "Oh, this nice deputy got us all ice cream." Needless to say, I was very unhappy. Aaron continued to talk to my coworkers and I tried to not pay him any attention. Aaron was unrelenting and so we talked the rest of the shift about hikes in Asheville. The next day I got a DM from Aaron asking if I would like to join a hike with him and Loki. I declined. A week later, when small group was canceled (God's timing again), I asked Aaron if I could tag along on their hike that day (nervous he would murder me the entire way). After a very enjoyable hike, we went to a brewery and talked for a few hours and bonded over Lord of the Rings and reading. He got my attention and we continued to go on a few dates. One that included a failed game of monopoly and my car getting towed. Aaron didn't miss a beat with his positive attitude as I made him listen to IZ with me while I wallowed in embarrassment(I had even paid for parking which is not a common habit for me). Aaron walked me to my car and talked about, I don't remember what, because all of a sudden, he kissed me. A year and half later, I was on a travel assignment in Maine and met Aaron in Boston, which was an adventure too. I was too focused on the gluten free cannoli and having lunch to notice Aaron's lack of eating, unenthusiastic reaction at finding GF cannoli, or his backstreet driving. We arrived at Harvard Gardens and he was INSISTENT on taking pictures at this one particular spot. He made sure the moment was special and private. When there were finally no people around, Aaron dropped to one knee and grabbed the wrong hand. I remember saying "yes" and him sharing a video he had made with my family and close friends congratulating us since they couldn't be there. And here we are! I get to marry my best friend. I can't wait!

While working a late shift at Mission I heard someone laughing, I recall thinking I needed to figure out who it was. While snooping around, I saw Molly and at that same moment she laughed again and helped solve my little mystery. After taking time to mull it over in my mind, I asked a friend of mine that worked at Mission to go see if Molly was single (a ring check was already done). The intel I received indicated that Molly was vegan, from Colorado, and didn't mention a boyfriend so I was in the clear. My scheming began almost immediately. I decided to buy the triage area nurses ice cream, but realized Molly was "vegan" and how rude would that be to offer her something she couldn't have. So I bought everyone else ice cream and slowly made my move whilst the other herd members were distracted with their frozen treats. After scooting closer and closer on the roller stool I was sitting on, I finally zeroed in on Molly, asking questions about her and her interests. Molly mentioned she enjoyed hiking and so I began to share places of interest that I enjoyed, closing with if she was up for it we could go hiking. I left our conversation satisfied with my approach until I ultimately realized.... I never actually asked her on a date. Then began my search for Molly's Facebook page, fortunately for me we had several mutual friends. I added her and sent her a message. After a couple of attempts to spend time with Molly outside of Mission, she finally agreed to go on a hike with me. Truth is, I decided I was going to spill all the beans about who I was and what life had been like, all for the purpose of trying to scare her off. Counterproductive right? God had different plans, because Molly decided she did in fact want a second date with this broken mess of a man and his four legged companion. Since then, I watched God work on us individually all while we encouraged each other every step of the way. Being able to look back and recognize the many moments where He has been and continues to be present in our lives has been a beautiful reminder of how surrendering to His perfect plan for us fills our lives with so much more joy. After a long and welcomed conversation with Molly's parents, a hurricane, and a few changed plans, I was finally able to propose to my best friend in Boston. (Thank you Maddy and Ellie for the constant planning assistance and patience). To say I was nervous is an understatement, that ring in my pocket was heavier than the one Frodo was carrying across Middle Earth. So much so that I grabbed the wrong hand when I dropped to one knee, but I recovered and gave a (VERY) condensed version of my speech and Molly said what I was hoping she would say. Yes! And so as we near closer to our wedding day, I just want to thank God for the family and friends He has surrounded us with. Thank you Andy and Mara (and the Tonkin Tribe) for raising such a beautiful, wonderful, intelligent, amazing woman of God, and for being so present in our lives. I am beyond excited to marry my best friend and gain you all as family.